A Hill House Bed & Breakfast Inn

 30 May 2012, 7:35 am

Memorial Day weekend was Hill House's busiest time since the February change in ownership. We filled 33 of 36 roomnights between Thursday and Sunday, and an additional four rooms stayed over on Monday night. Every breakfast went well, and all seemed especially happy with the grilled and glazed peaches over vanilla yogurt we served on Sunday morning.

This week though is the doldrums throughout Asheville. The down time though is giving me the opportunity to write some new copy for the HH website and to finally analyze my expenses. If any of you have ever started a new business, you know how in the first few months money seems to fly out the door.

Rooms at a deep discount this weekend. Y'all come.

Settled In and Ready for the Season 20 May 2012, 8:13 am

In April I moved my furniture up to the Hill House owner residence from my previous home in Florida and, before the furniture arrived we emptied out the room that holds our office and bodega (storage area) into the residence, for its total renovation -- floors, walls, ceiling. The move-ins now are more or less complete.

 A big salute to assistant innkeepers Matthew and Crystal for keeping the inn going while I was away in Florida for nearly two weeks and then working for another few weeks in scattered disorganization. Nothing other than a door (don't ask) seems to have gotten lost in all the moving to and fro, and Matthew's and Crystal's professionalism kept most guests completely unaware of the mayhem just beneath the surface.

Now, heading into the season, we know exactly where every last screwdriver is, we've streamlined our reservations and record-keeping procedures, and are looking forward to a summer of breakfasts on our front porch. Yesterday's croissant french toast with a peach and strawberry compote was a big hit with everyone except a young, athletic couple who look like they don't eat that many carbs in a year. But they seemed to find today's Alsatian tart (puff pastry topped with baked eggs, bacon, asparagus and goat cheese) a lot more workout-friendly.

It's a full house this weekend (we began turning callers away around Wednesday) and almost full for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Want to come the following weekend? Check our homepage special.

david raphael smith

A Week in Asheville 4 Apr 2012, 6:19 am

What would you do for a week in Asheville? Bev and Jack from Michigan who just spent a week with us shared their itinerary.

Day 1 -- Asheville Trolley Tour and walking through the River Arts District
Day 2 -- Biltmore Mansion and Gardens and boutique shopping in Biltmore Village
Day 3 -- Blue Ridge Parkway Drive, Lunch at Pisgah Inn
Day 4 -- Smokey Mountain trip to Arrowmont Art & Craft School in Gatlinburg
Day 5 -- Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Day 6 -- Downtown Asheville Art Museum and galleries

Full House at Hill House 1 Apr 2012, 7:56 am

All rooms filled up this weekend. Perhaps our most interesting guests are Larry and Janet from suburban Philadelphia, Pat and Paul from Michigan, and Diane and Cliff from central Pennsylvania. The three couples met many years ago as young marrieds when they lived next door to each other in duplex apartments. Although they all have moved on, they find a weekend to come together every year and reminisce. Hill House was honored to host them this year.

We also enjoyed the company of two couples from across the mountains in Tennessee -- Charles and Dianne, who returned to Hill House for an encore to their 1998 visit and Robin, who gave David a surprise 40th birthday present with their first trip away from three children in seven years.

The Cottage also had its first dog since we took over, a friendly Labradoodle of Joseph and Mary Alice, who were on their way home to Pennsylvania after wintering in Florida.

Finally, there are our longest-staying guests of the year, Beverly and Jack from Michigan, who will finish up a week of area touring on Monday night, and Rachel and Robert of Chapel Hill, on their first trip to Asheville.

Our office and storage area renovation begin this week. Wish us luck.

Spring Comes to Asheville 25 Mar 2012, 5:23 pm

Tulips everywhere at Hill House.

Interesting crowd this past week. Five ladies from Virginia and Georgia, some who hadn't seen the other in years, took two rooms and enjoyed the slow life for a couple of days. Three high school students and Mama on college tours. They couldn't get enough of our new, signature fresh fruit juice and declared Asheville to be just like San Francisco. Jeff and Linda, on their 10th anniversary, who hadn't been away from the kids for 7 years. Justin and Emily from Arkansas, on their honeymoon, and so high on their love for the other. Molly and Liz, 20-something Missouri teachers on spring break, who mountain hiked one morning, and then did some boutique hiking in the afternoon.

Upcoming week is slow, but beginning Friday a string of busy nights, and then on Wednesday our office and storage area begin renovation and we move operations to the owner residence while I (yours truly, the innkeeper) go to Florida to pack up my house and move my remaining life to Asheville.

Survey Findings 4 Mar 2012, 10:54 am

Some of you reading this no doubt responded to a recent guest survey we sent out. What we learned surprised us in some ways, but also confirmed other things Matthew, Crystal and I have been noticing in our first month at Hill House.

In February, the large majority of our guests were under 50 and perhaps a majority under 40. Our survey found nearly 40% to be less than 40. National surveys of bed and breakfasts show only about 18%.

Hill House guests also like the outdoors. When asked where in South Florida they would prefer to vacation, a huge majority spurned urban destinations like South Beach, Fort Lauderdale, or Palm Beach, instead preferring the Keys with their kayaks, snorkels, scuba dives and deep sea fishing boats.

When asked what they liked to do in Asheville, big numbers of former guests cited outdoor activities such as hiking or rafting, along with such pastimes as fine dining, browsing antiques and bookstores, arts/cultural activities, and of course driving the Blue Ridge Parkway and visiting the Biltmore.

We suspect also that a lot of Hill House guests who are older than 40 think young. Rock'n'roll far and away was the most popular kind of music among survey respondents, with pop, folk/bluegrass, and jazz/R&B all tied for second. A lot of you rock'n'rollers might have wanted to have been here this past weekend to have chatted with (Matthew's favorite band while in high school) Ben Folds Five bass guitarist Robert Sledge. He broke away from recording in Nashville to come to Hill House to meet his wife and 5-year-old son who had driven over from Chapel Hill.

Room ambiance followed by location are the most important things to our guests when selecting a B&B. Hill House scored more strongly than average for its gardens/grounds/porches and its breakfasts. And about breakfasts we heard good coffee, hearty/savory, good coffee, down home, good coffee....

What we're thinking is that little about Hill House needs to change. We just want to be sure its story gets out there.

New Life at Hill House 7 Feb 2012, 7:04 am

My name is David Raphael Smith, and beginning last week I became the third proprietor of Hill House. I've had three previous careers, as a commercial real estate appraiser, a journalist, and restaurant waiter. Thank heavens my assistant innkeepers Matthew Williamson and Crystal Barnwell are here to tell me what to do.

I have no big changes planned for Hill House. It's been so lovingly cared for during the past eight years by Terry and Bill Erickson that there's no need for anything dramatically new. I'm sure as I get my feet wet, I'll start tinkering around the edges here and there. But I feel very fortunate to have come across the opportunity that Terry and Bill have developed.

The Ericksons first grandchild arrived last year in northern California, where they and their daughter lived together for many years. They're moving back out West, to Prescott, Arizona, near where Terry's parents and a number of brothers and sisters live, and where they'll be able to savor some well-deserved free time. Bailey and Maisie tell me that everyone is looking forward to the southwestern climate, but that they're going to miss all the attention that Hill House guests give them.

Hope to see some of you readers soon.

A Message from Terry and Bill:
The past 8 1/2 years at Hill House have been incredible, and it has been an honor to have you as guests and friends. While we are excited about our new adventure, it is bittersweet to leave the Inn and the Asheville area. It has filled us with a lifetime of memories.

Our granddaughter, Katelyn, will be 1-year old next month and we are looking forward to being a bigger part of her life. Of course Bailey and Maisie will take good care of us, and are anxious to get settled in their new home.

We will miss seeing each of you, but hope you return to Hill House soon to start new memories with David and his staff. Come and enjoy their delicious new breakfast entrees and afternoon snacks! Hill House will always be a special place, and we thank you for filling the Inn with warmth, laughter and hugs.

Picture Perfect Memories 10 Jul 2011, 1:26 pm

It's nice to see guests taking pictures of the Inn and gardens to capture memories of their visit to Asheville, North Carolina. Of course we are always available to snap a shot of a couple together, since we know how often we come back from a vacation with lots of scenery photos and an occasional picture of each other posing by a tree or waterfall.

With digital cameras being so pervasive, it's easy to just click away. Our photo card is at capacity and I try to occasionally download pictures to the computer or share with friends on Facebook. But rarely do we actually print photos any more. Recently when I was composing a photo album for a big family reunion to celebrate my parent's 65th wedding anniversary, I became overwhelmed by how important these memories are to save and share with the next generation. My brother also compiled hundreds of photos on a disk with music to span the decades. Some pictures of our childhood I had never seen before.

And during the anniversary party, I was struck by an emotional moment that surprised me. The gathering totaled over 55 guests, mostly family, but also dear friends, neighbors and those special individuals my parents have known for years. After dinner and the champagne toast, my dad invited everyone to pass the microphone to each table and say a few words as an introduction. At first I thought, uh-oh, this is going to last forever... but quickly found so many fun and interesting things each guest had to say.

The most memorable was from a woman who was there with her husband and two young children, and her message was filled with admiration. She has provided household help for my parents for a long time. She said that while she had not previously met the family members, she felt like she already knew us. She explained that twice a month she would dust the cabinet that held the family pictures; she would clean each picture frame and carefully place it back on the shelf. Like many families, my parents proudly display photos to include all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren on one particular cabinet. After a baby is born, a spot is cleared for the new arrival. This woman has lovingly taken care of the family pictures for years, and at this gathering her family was finally able to meet our family that she knew so well.


So we hope you treasure the pictures of your life. Try to find time to print them or compile them into an album, so they don't just exist on your computer hard drive. At the Inn we are never too busy to help capture a photo of you with your special someone, whether it's on the front porch, with the dogs or in the garden. And at Hill House Bed & Breakfast we always appreciate being part of your picture perfect memories.

The picture above is a family visit years ago with my parents, sister and nephew -- you probably recognize the steps to the Inn's front wrap-around porch. And here we are with our daughter, son-in-law and baby Katelyn leaving my parent's Arizona home a few weeks ago.

Maisie's Story 4 Feb 2011, 10:56 am

Now that we have two Golden Retrievers, we are getting accustomed to new daily routines. Bailey has been a part of the family since she was a puppy, so knows her job at the Inn very well. Maisie is 5 years old and we just adopted her a few weeks ago. They are both so sweet and gentle, but two dogs can take up a lot of hall space when visiting with guests! Just the other day someone asked "what made you decide to get another dog?". Well, it wasn't a situation where we were actively searching for a dog. Rather this beautiful red dog with soft brown eyes was searching for a home. Every dog has a story, and Maisie's will steal your heart!

I first met Maisie (then referred to as Mama Dog) when she was in foster care early December with a litter of puppies. The farm where I board my horse is peaceful and spacious, and the owner is very active with the Asheville Humane Society. She routinely fosters dogs and their puppies until they are old enough to be adopted. Of course you can't help but fall in love with puppies, but from the day I met her I knew that Mama Dog was very special.

Each week I watched the puppies grow and Mama Dog become more confident and playful with the other dogs on the property. When it was time, the puppies were taken to the adoption center and quickly found new homes. But Mama Dog didn't have a home. The shelter was a scary place and she refused to eat when she was there. So Elizabeth, the farm owner, kept her for another week when a big snow storm hit the area.

I contacted Elizabeth and asked if we could keep Mama Dog for the weekend to make sure the girls got along. I picked her up that Friday and we would make a decision by Monday. The greeting between the two dogs was uneventful, so we went inside and they both quickly fell asleep. Boy, that was easy! When our visitor woke up I sat with her on the floor. She inched very close and gently put her head on my chest. I put my arm around her to hold her and pet her, and with her eyes closed I felt her exhale into my ear. Yes, this sweet dog had found a home. Our home. Within days we decided on the name Maisie.

Bailey likes being a big sister, but you know how it is with sisters -- you have to share everything -- her toys, her favorite sleeping spots AND her Mom & Dad. But Bailey is very patient and seems to understand. Maisie is quick to exit whenever a door opens, and Bailey has the funniest expression as the little one darts in front of her. At this point all I can say is, 'we're working on that'. But Bailey seems genuinely happy, and she's more playful and eating better than ever.

As we spend time together I learn more about Maisie. She's a talker and makes all kinds of funny sounds, and wiggles her whole body when excited. She loves attention and if you go to pet Bailey, you'll likely find the red-headed dog under your hand! We go on long hikes and she enjoys wooded trails. I think she probably lived in the country before since she is puzzled why a leash is always needed when we go outside. And when we walk down the street, she's alarmed that cars travel so close to the sidewalk. But she's learning to trust me, learning that when I leave I will always come back.

Both Bailey and our first Golden, Brandy, were from breeders. We always knew we would get another dog at some point, and I would occasionally check out Golden Retriever rescue sites. But sometimes wonderful things happen when you least expect it. So if you are thinking about a new pet, check out your local shelter. The look in the animal's eyes will speak volumes. They prefer not to share their past, and of course they are nervous about the present, but their eyes will tell you a story about their future. And Maisie's future has just begun.


A special note from Bailey: "I'm learning that little sisters pay attention to everything!!! Dad found Maisie on top of the kitchen table at home the other day. He was so surprised! I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was just reminiscing with her about when I was a puppy." Yes, the picture to the right is Bailey many years ago...

A Golden 2011! 24 Jan 2011, 8:27 am

Big News at Hill House! We have adopted another Golden Retriever and named her Maisie. She's a sweetheart with a beautiful dark red coat. Maisie recently had a litter of puppies and once they were all adopted she needed to find a forever home. What better place than with us?!

Bailey seems happy to have a little sister and is quickly showing her how things are done at the Inn. I think Bailey has always wanted an assistant and Maisie is taking lots of notes. Goldens have that natural talent to melt your heart and make you want to pet them. They both sit nicely, look gently into your eyes and take turns getting attention from our guests.

Right now Maisie follows me everywhere, and Bailey doesn't want to miss anything so she follows Maisie. It's like a little train going down the hall. But we are quickly getting into the routine of being a 2 dog family. I'm sure the neighbors are chuckling at me walking the dogs together, trying not to get tangled in their leashes. Luckily they don't pull or do anything silly, but some days I feel like a third hand would be nice to have.

We'll be updating the website soon with new pictures, so come visit us -- our girls would love to spend time with you!!!