Omni Grove Park Inn sets reopening date after Helene’s hit on Western NC
After temporarily closing its doors due to the devastating impact from Hurricane Helene, The Omni Grove Park Inn will be reopening soon.
Like many other state parks, attractions and landmarks in western North Carolina, the historic inn — which originally opened in 1913 — has been shut down for the last month as recovery and relief efforts continue in the area.
After weeks of working to restore full operations, the historic Main Inn will officially be back open for guests beginning Friday, Nov. 15.
“Western North Carolina has displayed remarkable strength, and as Asheville reopens, we’re honored to welcome visitors back to our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains,” Gary Froeba, managing director at The Omni Grove Park Inn, said in a statement.
“We are grateful to be reopening, especially in time for the holidays, as this is a meaningful step in our shared journey of recovery, one that brings hope and support to our community. Tourism holds an important role in Western North Carolina’s path forward, and each visit brings encouragement to our employees, neighbors, and friends as we work together to rebuild and heal.”
Along with reopening its inn for overnight guests, the 513-room resort’s world-class spa, golf course and sports complex are also back open. But the full property’s reopening is still in progress, the team said.
2014 Gingerbread House Competition: ‘Tradition with a Twist’
Unfortunately, the storm came at a time when the inn typically prepares for one of its biggest events: the National Gingerbread House Competition. Though the staff made the difficult decision to cancel the 32nd annual event, they are teaming with local businesses to add a “new twist on the beloved tradition.”
Instead of a traditional display with all the extravagant gingerbread creations, over 45 gingerbread houses will be on display at the resort and other spots around the Asheville area, including the S&W Market, Grove Arcade and more.
Along with adding a bit of holiday magic to make the town a winter wonderland, each gingerbread house will also have a special QR code to the Always Asheville Fund for those that want to make online donations to support storm victims in need.
“We are proud to continue the great tradition of our National Gingerbread House Competition in this reimagined way, spotlighting the extraordinary talent of the entrants throughout Asheville,” Isabel Miller, Director of Marketing and Communications at The Omni Grove Park Inn, said in a statement. “We aim to foster a sense of connection during the holiday season following such a challenging time while also supporting local establishments and encouraging our guests to explore the opening of our community.”
The gingerbread houses in this year’s competition will be up at local Asheville businesses from Saturday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 5. You can find a full list of the display locations online at omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park. If you want to take in the holiday displays virtually, you can check out the hotel’s 12 Days of Gingerbread posts on Facebook and Instagram from December 1-12.
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