The Esmeralda Inn at Lake Lure

I apologize for the delay in sharing my thoughts, but I felt it was important to express my appreciation for the exceptional treatment my husband, then my fiancé, and I received from the staff at Esmeralda. Following the loss of our son in March 2022, we sought a getaway, and the staff made us feel like royalty with their kindness and attentiveness. I genuinely cherish the memories of our time there and deeply miss this wonderful place.

The Esmeralda Inn is a wonderful place to come and relax and be pampered! My wife and I had a wonderful experience here and will definitely be back with our kids another time. Each dinner experience was great, and the gourmet breakfast every morning was unique and amazing, especially considering that it’s included! The staff is all very attentive, and there were no details missed. They are knowledgeable and considerate, asking us about our day each time we passed the front desk or saw someone in the hall. It is very intimate and cozy. The rooms are comfortable but not extravagant, just what we expected. The s’mores by wood burning fire and quiet relaxation on the wrap-around porch were absolutely perfect. We also definitely enjoyed our picnic lunch at the cabin park on the picturesque river. Highly recommended! Thank you!

Some aspects were amazing and others very disappointing but in a nutshell not quite what you’d expect for the cost and would stay elsewhere next time. My daughter and I stayed for two weekend nights. We had massages, and dinner one night. The hot tub jets and filters were broken both nights, the Speakeasy Bar closed both nights as well. The massages were incredible. Breakfast was very good as well both days although you have only one option. The only vegetarian option for dinner was not great - tortellini which is pretty easily made at home- again nothing special for the price. We wanted so badly to love it and tried to be good sports as the owner acknowledges below - but I’d never return or recommend it for the cost and night #2 was the turning point. My daughter did talk to the owner after dinner on the last night when We were offered $5 off gift card in the gift shop IF we spent more money. As a customer service person herself, my daughter felt this was the point something needed to be said and did so directly to the owner. A few of the staff were absolutely wonderful and I would have given it the highest marks with some effort to acknowledge the issues for a weekend this expensive - well over $900. We stayed at a historic B&B our last night of the trip in downtown Asheville- less expensive and unbelievably better management and effort for making things special -noticeable touches lacking at the Esmeralda which compelled me to write this - but thankfully our trip ended on a great note and this in no way ruined it. We appreciate everything. Good memories and we can laugh about the bad ones.