Entire home

Downtown Asheville's Historic Biltmore Village; Griffin's Lair, shopping, walk.

Riverside cottage with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Downtown Asheville's Historic Biltmore Village; Griffin's Lair, shopping, walk.

A private terrace overlooking The Cathedral of All Souls & Biltmore Estate prop.
A second set of gates provides charm and privacy
Outdoor dining for 6 on the private terrace enjoys afternoon shade.
Located upstairs above antique shop and Peace and Nice ladies boutique
Griffin's Lair is located just steps away from The Biltmore Estate entrance.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 50.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, The Orange Peel
  • Place, Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville
  • Place, Biltmore Estate
  • Airport, Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 5)

Master Bedroom

1 Single Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Hall Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Downtown Asheville's Historic Biltmore Village; Griffin's Lair, shopping, walk.

Location:
Cozy, sophisticated, and conveniently located, this historic apartment is in the Biltmore Village Historic District. Built in 1895 and designed by R.S. Smith, the supervising architect for The Biltmore House, Griffin's Lair is located on an upper terrace bordered on the West by the 8,000 acre Biltmore Estate grounds.

Views from the private terrace overlook Biltmore Village, The Cathedral of All Souls, designed by Richard Morris Hunt and peek a boo view of Grandfather Mountain.
Griffin's Lair is located next door to Ruth's Chris steakhouse and is just 3 doors away from Starbucks cafe and the entrance to the Biltmore Estate, North Carolina's most popular tourist attraction. Bring your bicycles to explore the estate after touring the largest French Revival Castle in the U.S.

Griffin's Lair is located upstairs above Biltmore Lamp and Shade and next door to the Gardener's Cottage, Mountain Oak Realty and Peace and Nice Boutique which are also located in the same complex.

Accommodations:
(Sleeps 5) Historic Cottage 1-bedroom Apartment 810 sq ft, 1 bath
Occupancy Summary / Sleeps in beds: 5 Max. Occupancy: 5

Description:
The apartment has been fully restored and enhanced by owner Robert S. Griffin, AIA of Griffin Architects PA . Griffin and his partner Ron Clemmer moved the cottage to its current location 30 years ago to save it from demolition. Griffin personally petitioned The City of Asheville to create the Biltmore Village Historic District, was Co-chairman of the Biltmore Village Historic museum (which raised private funds to restore and add brick sidewalks and historic street lights to the village), and authored the Biltmore Village development plan for the city of Asheville Historic Resources Commission and The State of NC Department of Archives and History.

Griffin's Lair located in Historic Biltmore Village is in the perfect location for guests, moments to downtown, 15 minutes by car from Asheville's Regional Airport and within a few minutes walking distance from City and Trolly bus stops and all of Biltmore Village's attractions.

One luxuriously comfortable king bed in private bedroom complete with blackout curtains, custom lighting and a 40" LED smart tv. A queen sleeper sofa with custom air mattress a 50" LED smart tv and a twin daybed with a view of The Cathedral of All Souls. All sleeping areas are equipped with blackout shades or curtains. Serenity and a peaceful stay at Griffin's Lair is assured by the recent installment of sound deadening glass panels on all windows.

The apartment features numerous works of art from local artists such as Ann Vasilik, Bee Sieburg, Wendy Whitson, Lisa Oberreuter, Scott Lowrey, Lucy DeLaugerburg Wallace, and more. These works of art include paintings, prints, and Appalachian pottery. Stay here to enjoy an interior of local artistic flair.

Other specially shopping experiences in Biltmore Village include The New Morning Gallery, The Grand Bohemian Gallery, Southern Highland Craft Gallery and Dwellings. Restaurants within walking distance include Starbucks, The Red Stag Grille, Rezazs Restaurant, Ruth's Chris, The Corner Kitchen, Fig, and the Well Bred Bakery and Cafe. Nearby Ingles Grocery offers local and natural foods, and delicious prepared foods for takeout.

Apparel shopping within the Village includes Peace and Nice (Downstairs), Bellagio, Lilly Pulitzer, Ann Taylor, Chicos,
Joseph A. Banks and much more! Biltmore village offers shops featuring antiques, books, art, children's apparel, home accents and furniture, jewelry, nature and outdoors, and speciality gift items.

Come Stay in the one of George Vanderbilt's original Cottages restored and furnished by Robert S. Griffin, Asheville's Noted Architect and Interior Designer. Regrettably the quality, location and luxurious furnishings of this unique property are not child or pet friendly. Access to the adjoining rooftops is not allowed, yet possible, so care must be given to monitor & supervise children, as is direct proximity to 8,000 acres of wilderness of the Biltmore Estate, creating hazards for the unsupervised child.

The entrance to the historic Biltmore Estate, Asheville's most popular tourist attraction is just outside your door and literally bordering the massive estate. Bring your bicycles to explore the grounds, or have a picnic after touring the Vanderbilt family's picturesque estate.

Set right in the heart of Biltmore Village, Griffin's Lair affords all the highlights of downtown Asheville within minutes of your front door. Fine dining like Corner Kitchen & Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is just a few steps away for an evening out on the town without the hassles of parking, traffic, or being unable to enjoy a cocktail (or two) with dinner. Awaken to fresh mountain air and take a leisurely stroll down to Starbucks or Well Bred Bakery for the New York Times, Asheville Citizen Times, or just to relax and watch the passersby.

You deserve to vacation where you can relax, unwind, & be absolutely spoiled! Griffin's Lair is that vacation of indulgence.

Bedroom/Bath Layout:
1 king bedroom, 1 queen luxury sleeper sofa with integral air mattress, 1 twin daybed. Microfiber sheets and both feather and foam pillows provided for all beds.
1 Full bath, with tub/shower with Garden View
Occupancy Summary / Sleeps in beds: 5 Max. Occupancy: 5


Kitchen & Dining:
Refrigerator, range, microwave, dishwasher, dishes and utensils, art pottery place settings for 6, dinning area seats 6, coffee maker, toaster and a magic bullet blender.

Additional Features:
On Site Dedicated parking for 1 car 24/7 and 1 evening parking for guest. Additional parking may be arranged at 1 Village Lane as a courtesy.
WiFi
Cable/Direct TV/Satellite
50" diagonal smart TV on lift
DVD/CD Player
Smart TV, iTV, Free Amazon Prime
Expansive porch/deck & private outdoor patio & gardens
Dining Table
Air Conditioning
Washer/Dryer
Linens provided
Ironing Board
Hair Dryer
Free long distance phone calls

Additional Rate And Fees information:
*3 night minimum required for all holidays & special events
*3 night minimum stay if a Saturday is one of the nights.
Holidays require a 3-night minimum and have a $300/night rental rate.
These observed holidays and occasions are subject to holiday rates: New Years, MLK, Valentines, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas

PETS: Many of our guests have allergies so we have maintained a pet-free environment so they can enjoy their vacation without the potential of an allergic reaction. If you have a pet we can recommend some alternatives nearby.

$120.00 Cleaning Fee**
** - Griffin's Lair openly shares & clearly posts our Cleaning Fees in a manner of full disclosure, as we think this is the most honest and forthright approach with respect to our guests. Our Cleaning Fees are backed by our Clean Guarantee, which reflects the highest level of standards, pristine environments for our guests, and a level of clean that surpasses any other vacation homes; we literally guarantee it!
3.45% processing fee
Current local tax rate 13%
$1,000 Refundable Security Deposit

Early Check In and/or Late Check Out may be possible, depending on cleaning schedules and other reservations. If it is possible, there may be an additional fee that would be determined based on the time that you wish to check in or out and the seasonal rates.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Asheville

Located in Biltmore Village, a neighbourhood in Asheville, this cottage is in the mountains and on a river. Shoppers can check out Asheville Outlets, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Biltmore Estate and Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Entrance. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at The Orange Peel, or consider Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville for a night out.
Map
Asheville, NC

What's nearby

  • Historic Biltmore Village - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Mission Hospital - 2 min drive - 2.4 km
  • The Orange Peel - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville - 4 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Biltmore Estate - 6 min drive - 4.4 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Texas Roadhouse - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Cava - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Bruegger's - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Burial Beer Forestry Camp - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Downtown Asheville's Historic Biltmore Village; Griffin's Lair, shopping, walk. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Downtown Asheville's Historic Biltmore Village; Griffin's Lair, shopping, walk.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Downtown Asheville's Historic Biltmore Village; Griffin's Lair, shopping, walk.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Downtown Asheville's Historic Biltmore Village; Griffin's Lair, shopping, walk. located?

Located in Biltmore Village, this cottage is steps from Cathedral Of All Souls and 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Biltmore Estate. Historic Biltmore Village and Misson Occumed are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 177 out of 191 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 191 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 191 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 191 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 191 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Griffin’s Lair is absolutely charming. Everything thought of to ensure a homey stay. We particularly loved the super comfortable beds, well appointed art, and gorgeous pottery to eat on. Close to everything by foot or by uber. Hope to return sometime, soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Betsy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet, hidden gem

My daughter and I had a great stay. The apartment is clean, spacious and tucked away in a quiet corner of Biltmore Village. Perfect location for all Asheville has to offer.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

keith c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Asheville charm and convenience

Well appointed convenient property located in the heart of the village with easy access to Biltmore and all that Asheville offers
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darci T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Randy & Laura A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a wonderful vacation to Asheville, made even more memorable by staying at Griffin’s Lair. The elegantly cozy ambience put us at ease right away. The photos are true to life. Everything is comfortable — the sitting room, the daybed by the window, the master bed. We thoroughly enjoyed time outside on the enclosed terrace, too; it’s perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee on a crisp morning. This rental is thoughtfully appointed in every way, with every single thing fulfilling William Morris’s useful and beautiful criteria.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martha K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Biltmore Wedding

Property was in great location to Biltmore. Was easy to walk to shops and restaurants. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Becky P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Asheville Getaway

We loved our short stay at this amazing property! Griffin’s Lair was perfect and in the heart of Biltmore Village. If we get back to the area, I would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janet G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful location and ambiance

We thoroughly enjoyed the Griffin's Lair. The space is ample and private. The outdoor area was so enjoyable in the evenings!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charles E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful space in great location

Truly a luxury experience, surrounded. By beautiful art, and all the conveniences.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tom M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for our visit to Biltmore. Felt at
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim F., Easley, SC

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Idyllic cottage for Asheville visit

Griffin’s Lair was a charming spot to take in the beauty of Asheville. It is a meticulously designed property in the heart of Biltmore Village and steps away from the entrance to the Biltmore Estate, not to mention a short drive to Asheville center. I loved every moment we spent here and would not hesitate to book it again on a return visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

LIZ B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect in every way

Well appointed and so cozy. This Asheville gem is located right in the heart of the cIty and so close to everything. I enjoyed my stay and had everything I needed. I would stay here again and would recommend to anyone. A+
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marti H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely rental in the heart of Biltmore Village

The location of Griffin’s Lair could not be better. Such a lovely spot for a ladies’ weekend away. We enjoyed the walk-ability and convenience of the location; the attention to detail in the design of the property; the authentic artwork; the functional, full-size kitchen and the quaint gingerbread house appeal of this little cottage. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Oasis in Biltmore Village

Just what the travel doctor ordered. Perfect, classy, little hideaway with all the comforts of home in a convenient, historic location. Restaurants and shopping are steps away, the center of town less than 3 miles, entrance to the Blue Ridge Pkwy just down the road or walk outside your door if you just want to sit, relax and eat outside of this lovely cottage. Mr. Griffin's years of experience in architecture and design provided the perfect setting. Enjoyed his choice of art pieces throughout.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann M., Cherokee, IA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Right where you want to be

Griffins Lair is situated perfectly for enjoying Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Mtn pkwy, (including Southern Highland Craft and many hiking trails). Being just steps from The many shops and restaurants in Biltmore village, makes it even more perfect for not having to search for parking. The fall colors are outstanding right now, especially in a bit higher elevation. Griffins Lair is wonderfully well appropriated with a fully equipped kitchen, jetted tub, smart TVs, and furnishings. The manager was quick to answer all my questions. We’ll, definitely stay here again
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Wes B.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

First Asheville visit

Very nice place to stay. Updated and fully equipped with everything needed. Only issues were the checkin/getting into the place. They needed to be more specific about how to get into the place. We ended up finding someone in a neighboring business that was extremely helpful in showing us how to get into the gate and where to get in. It was hard to carry the luggage up all the steps and rolling across all the rocks. But it was a very nice place to stay and being next to Starbucks and literally around the corner from the Biltmore Mansion.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alex B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The best VRBO ever. Magical! Amazing design and function!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
The apartment was very clean, just as pictured, and very cool to stay in. The beds were so comfortable and it was like staying in an art gallery! I loved it and had to FaceTime my sons at home to show them all the gargoyles and dragons everywhere! There were 2 lovely shops downstairs that we were excited to check out. I would definitely recommend staying here to anyone and I would stay here again. My only "quibble" is that the check-in instructions were unclear, so when we arrived at night, it was hard to know where to go and what we should do. We figured it out, eventually, though, with the help of some very nice Ruth's Chris's employees, and it was smooth sailing from there!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My wife and I have stayed at this property 6 times over the past 4 years. I is perfectly located. Very clean and the owner really cares about customer satisfaction.
Stayed 15 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
this is our 6 times staying with Robt. Very nice
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Denise G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girl trip

My friend and I stayed for four nights. We both felt like we were in a fairytale. Highly recommend. Love the twin size built in bed.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rick E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay!

We enjoyed our weekend here. We came to see the Biltmore and I'm not sure you can stay any closer without being on property! It had everything we needed and is well kept, we would highly recommend. The only thing I will say is there are still a significant number of businesses still temporarily closed in the Biltmore Village area from the storm last fall, so if there is somewhere particular you are looking to go I would double check to ensure they are back open. Overall great weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bay R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay in Asheville

This apartment was a great find. It’s a short ride to the Biltmore and downtown. The apartment itself was very nice. The owner decorated it well with some beautiful artwork. The owner was helpful and super easy to work with. I definitely recommend this rental.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammy F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic stay and AMAZING location!

This is a SUPER cute historic apartment. The location canNOT be beat. It is literally around the corner from the entrance to The Biltmore, and right in Biltmore Village. We were able to walk to all the shops and restaurants. We would definitely stay there again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charles B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful time!

My girlfriend and I loved your property! It was cozy and met all of our needs. We spent three days on the Biltmore estate and this location was perfect as it was right around the corner from the entrance. We will come back again. Thanks for everything!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

About the host

Hosted by Brandi or Renee

Host profile image
Robert is a local residential architect and interior designes with a passion for preservation. He personally petitioned the City of Asheville to create the Biltmore Village Historic District, and co founded The Biltmore Vilage Historic Museum which raised funds for the restoration of Biltmore Village, replacement of the historic streetlights and brick sidewalks. Robert is a passionate gardener and enjoys the terraced gardens at Griffin's Lair. His architectural firm:
GriffinArchitectsPA.com has received many awards for their architecture and interior design projects.

Why they chose this property

This property was in danger of demolition. Robert and his partner moved it to it's current location in 1984 and have lovingly restored, furnished and created a garden setting for it. Their antique shop Fireside Antiques was located downstairs. Griffin's Lair was the first location of The Biltmore Village Historic Museum.

What makes this property unique

A rooftop terrace overlooking Biltmore Village and adjacent to The Biltmore Estate's grounds afford a private and convenient oasis for guests.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests