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Asheville With a grand entrance not unlike that at the Biltmore, a three-quarter-mile driveway winds up to this hillside manse on 80 private acres in the mountains seven miles southeast of Asheville. Susan Sluyter and Judy Carter built the house as a potential wellness center, but thought they’d try a B&B first. Asheville’s newest B&B is its most luxurious, from the 24-foot-high, manmade waterfall in the stone garden in back to the marble spa and salon that comes with the Wintersun suite. The owners built the house for guests, since they occupy a house near the stables, where Judy fulfills her dream of raising horses. The decor is the work of Susan, a clinical psychologist from New York, who continues to practice here. "Decorating is my hobby," she said, "although I never had a canvas this big." She splashed floral chintzes around the living room, a most welcoming space with zillions of books and family pictures. She covered the five tables in the dining wing with tapestry fabrics, and produced a charming family-room retreat off the open kitchen. Colorful geraniums and lush ferns brighten the front veranda, furnished in dark green wicker that matches the facade of the house. Beautiful artworks and handpainted furnishings dignify the foyer and the hallways leading to the four second-floor bedrooms stretching across the front of the house. Stone fireplaces, plush seating, queensize beds (one kingsize), antiques and oriental rugs are their hallmarks. Each is stylishly accessorized to the max. The two corner rooms are larger, and have larger bathrooms with windows. Nice as they are, these rooms pale next to the main-floor Wintersun suite, so big it has three entrances – off the main living room, off the rear veranda and off the waterfall garden. The bedroom is like the others, but with the additional advantage of opening onto a private section of the front veranda. Its adjacent spa is "a new way to define decadence," in Susan’s words. Architectural balance required a wing the size of the dining room, filled with windows, marble and greenery. Its centerpiece is a 500-gallon spa sunk in a marble surround facing the fireplace. Marble vanities line one side. A display of hats identifies a corner shower that doubles as a steam bath and is big enough for a basketball team. An alcove holds not one but two lavatories, each with its own door. Succumb to self-indulgence, or retreat to the private veranda, the rear garden, the sumptuous living room (where wine and champagne are poured in the late afternoon) or the cozy sitting area beside the fireplace off the kitchen. That’s where we found the brightest lights for pre-dinner reading. There’s no television, but taped music wafted throughout the house which, with no other guests that evening, was ours for the duration. A nicer home away from home would be hard to imagine. We awoke the next day to a memorable breakfast. Orange
juice and cut-up fruit with yogurt preceded an artistic array of treats:
a portobello quiche, artichoke-stuffed tomatoes, blueberry yeast rolls
and ham. Susan said she had tried to serve bacon and sausage, but guests
seemed to want only the ham. It all tasted as good as it looked, and we
left ready to take on the day. Four rooms and one suite with private baths. Doubles, $145 to $210. Suite, $245 to $385. 828) 628-7890 or (888) 628-1628. Fax (704) 628-7891. E-mail: info@innatwintersun.com For more information: www.innatwintersun.com
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