315 Sunset Dr, Blowing Rock, North Carolina, United States | (888) 989-6591
Quaint inn within waking distance of historic Blowing Rock village
Near restaurants, dining, and shopping
Charming, well-maintained guest rooms with country decor
In-room AC, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers
Suites and cottages with gas fireplaces and kitchens
Lobby lounge with two fireplaces
Covered rocking chair porch and a brick patio
Free breakfast that includes eggs, waffles, sausage, and pastries
Free afternoon wine, cheese, and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
Free on-site parking
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some units have bathrooms that need updating
No full restaurant or bar
The quaint, three-pearl Hillwinds Inn has a great location on a quiet street in Blowing Rock, within walking distance to the town's historic district and the shops on Main Street. The simple inn has few facilities, but free breakfast and an afternoon wine and cheese reception are included, and the hotel has a lovely brick patio and covered porch with rocking chairs. Its 20 guest rooms have charming, country decor, along with conveniences like AC, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, and there are a few suites and cottages available, with gas fireplaces and kitchens. But some bathrooms, while tidy, could use an update, and the hotel doesn't have a full-service restaurant. Travelers looking for a budget stay nearby can consider Mountainaire Inn and Log Cabins.
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Scene
Simple mid-range inn with cozy common spaces
Decorated like a country home, the Hillwinds Inn has a main red-brick building with two suites, an annex with standard rooms across the parking lot, and a pair of adjoining cottages. The main office is essentially a living room, with a fireplace and a pair of traditional high-backed chairs across from a reception desk beside a bay window. A hallway leads into a more dedicated lounge with another fireplace and another seating area. Around the corner, a small formal dining room connects to a larger casual breakfast room. Most guests here are couples, but the hotel also draws some families who take advantage of the cottages.
Location
On a side street, walking distance to the historic center's shops and restaurants
The inn is located in Blowing Rock, a mountain village of antique shops and restaurants, most of which are about a five-minute walk away in the historic center on Main Street. There are a number of parks nearby and plenty of hiking trails in the area. Grandfather Mountain, the tallest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is approximately a 20-minute drive from the hotel. The Tweetsie Railroad Wild West Theme Park is a 10-minute drive away. Boone is under a 20-minute drive to the north, and Asheville is less than two hours away to the southwest.
Rooms
Relaxed rooms with mini-fridges; suites and cottages have fireplaces and kitchens
The inn has 20 charming guest rooms, with exterior entries and rocking chairs set outside doors. Rooms are dressed in contemporary, country decor, with hardwood floors and wooden furniture. Bedding options are king, queen, or two double beds, and all units have seating areas with tables and chairs. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with AC, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and pod-style coffeemakers, and some also have microwaves. Bathrooms are basic but tidy, with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries, although some are a bit dated and could use a refresh. The two one-bedroom suites have separate living rooms with gas fireplaces, and private balconies. In the Tarheel Suite, there's a wet bar with a mini-fridge and microwave, and the Davidson Suite adds a full kitchen and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub. There are also two one-bedroom cottages that can be joined into one large unit. Each has a king-size bed, and a full kitchen and dining room.
Features
Lots of freebies, including breakfast and a wine reception, but no full restaurant
Facilities at Hillwinds Inn are limited, but the property does offer some nice freebies. Among them is a hot breakfast, with items including eggs, waffles, sausages, and pastries, served in the inn's casual breakfast room. Guests can also eat in the adjoining dining room, or outside on the small brick patio. Another perk is the free evening reception with wine, cheese, crackers, and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Wi-Fi throughout and on-site parking are also free.
