This New North Carolina Hotel Has Epic Mountain Views And One Of The Year’s Best Restaurants

If western North Carolina is on your travel horizon this fall, book a stay at one of Asheville’s newest—and oldest—properties, The Flat Iron Hotel. Located downtown in an iconic historic 1920s-era building, it makes a stylish stay and basecamp, whether you’re exploring area neighborhoods or headed out to spend time in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Inside The Hotel

With just 71 rooms and suites, The Flat Iron Hotel has a cozy, intimate feel. Located in one of the city’s first skyscrapers, the wedge-shaped building was, as its name suggests, inspired by New York City’s Flatiron building. For most of its life, the tower housed offices, and it was also once home to the city’s first radio station. The building was originally completed in 1926, and the hotel’s designers incorporated new and preserved old elements from that era, like the warm terrazzo floors, curved windows and archways, and marble surfaces. Brass fixtures and jewel-toned furniture add to the luxurious feel. But this is Asheville, so you’ll also find some wonderfully quirky details in the mix, like the wallpaper in the lobby with hand-painted drawings of the city and its landmarks, and a vintage piano painted bold red.

Room options cater to a variety of travelers, from single queens to larger suites, as well as a room with two queen-sized bunk beds that can sleep eight people. Suites have a separate lounge area and a mini fridge.

Dining And Drinking

Asheville is filled with exciting bars and restaurants, but the hotel makes it tempting to just stay in. There’s a restaurant, Luminosa; a rooftop “caffé”; a rooftop bar; and an underground speakeasy, The Red Ribbon Society. 

Luminosa

One of our best new restaurants of 2025, Luminosa is the rare hotel restaurant that’s attracting as many locals as tourists. The elegant space, which is open for breakfast and lunch, has a wood-fired oven that’s used for pizzas and local vegetables. Although the menu changes seasonally, you’ll find Italian and Appalachian influences mingling in dishes like the triangolitini, a pasta made with collard greens, country ham, and Calabrian chiles.

Rooftop Caffé

Open daily from 7 a.m. to noon, this is a sunny spot for espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches and morning baked goods, or a drink. 

The Rooftop

The expansive views of the city and Blue Ridge Mountains are hard to beat, especially when enjoyed with a cocktail or beer in hand at this rooftop bar. Choose from several patio areas with lounge furniture and firepits. Whether you’re meeting for a quick drink or lingering over bar snacks and pizza, it’s the best spot in the house.

The Red Ribbon Society

At this swanky underground lounge, you can order pizzas, desserts, and small plates like carpaccio and salad along with creative takes on classic cocktails, like an old-fashioned made with Elijah Craig bourbon, an Italian amaro, goat caramel whey, and orange bitters. Beers, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages round out the bar menu.