Christmas At The Biltmore

Tis the season for sharing beautiful holiday decor, and nothing says more regal and lux more than a Christmas At The Biltmore.

This season Ron surprised me with a Christmas At The Biltmore trip, for my 5oth Birthday. I wanted to share the highlights of this super fun trip in case you have never been at holidays, which is my humble opinion is truly the best time to go. While I am sure it is pretty during the summer months, it really is extraordinary all decorated at Christmas.

Here is the deal, if you book an overnight package on property you can get your tour tickets that included for the Candlelight Christmas Tour over $100 value per person, which includes an evening exploration of the Biltmore House at its most enchanting time. See while it beautifully decorated and illuminated with fires in every fireplace and candle lit up for Christmas, plus you get a special holiday keepsake ornament too, which is perfect for our travel tree.Your tour includes a audio guide, so you can walk thru the house at your leisure for the evening. Taking in what I believe to be one of the best examples of a European style castles on US soil. Honestly after touring so many castles in Europe you really can see where George Vanderbilt got all of his inspiration from at the time, and it really is quite remarkable given that it was built around the Depression time period. A true Gilded Era of wealth you no longer see in home architecture in the US, honestly I can not think of very many other homes on this scale or with this type of finishes.

So many amazing rooms filled with great architectural features, which is near a dear to my heart as a interior designer. Fires lit in in every fireplace to create a sense of warm in the colder stone walls of the castle. Massive trees and garlands that will rival any palace in the world, which make this home such a must see this time of year. I fun little personal story which relates to the Biltmore house is that back in high school, our choir actually sang in the Winter Garden conservatory in 1992. Ron & I were both in the Singing Patriots mixed choir that preformed there. So we had toured this beautiful home 33 years ago while we were dating. Now to be honest I think we might have made out behind more Christmas trees than we looked at, given our age of 16, lol, but this was a fun trip down memory lane.

Our passes were also good for grounds and garden tours during the day for the length of our stay. Which also allowed us to explore at our leisure, while not much was particularly blooming it was still very ethereal in the winter, and spaces were not as crowded.

Note: You can also add on a season ticket holder pass after you have booked your stay, good for entire year from the date, for $119 per person which will save 10% off. Which includes hotel stays which is a pretty penny and means you could come back to see the lights again next Christmas if you book ahead.

We stayed in the Estate Inn on property which was only built 12 years ago, so it was no where in site the first time we visited. I can say it was a very nice hotel and probably the nicest on property of the resorts. It was geared more toward adults and couples for a relaxing getaway, not as much for kids, so if you are a family you might want to consider a cottage, which are beautiful, or maybe the Village Inn which is closer to petting zoo, barn yard and play ground areas with more things for the littles to do.

The rooms have all recently been renovated and were very clean and well kept. We opted for Terrace Suite for our room had a fantastic walk out terrace with a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Which had some of the best sunrise and sunsets I have even seen while we were there. We were also located on the Spa level as well, you know my mother ship, so it was very quiet and serine. While all the rooms are nice I am not sure I would really want to look at the parking lot with a Terrace view, but if that’s your thing go for it.

You could also see Antler Village in the distance which was located in walking distant, more like hiking, down the hillside near the Antler Village Inn another hotel. This is where the Winery was located, along with the Restaurants, Shopping Plaza, and the Artisan Crafter’s Barn. For that reason alone I am glad we stayed in the Estate Inn, it was more like a B&B and geared for a couple getaway, where this area had more of a all inclusive family vibe.  The winery is a free experience where you can order up 5 sample each time you visit the main bar area. You can return several times until you have tried all of the items on the tasting list; or if you have a partner you share a glass taste and try them all in half the time. Whatever works for you, LOL. We also upgraded to the private Red wine and Chocolate pairings tour. This had other more expensive wines that are not on the free tasting menu and some amazing chocolates which were available for purchase in our gift shop at the Inn. After trying the Red Raspberry we were sold and bought one of everything to take home. Not only were those chocolates were beautiful, they tasted divine. I mean after all it was my birthday!

While you are Antler Village be sure to check out the Creamery was inspired by the original Biltmore Dairy Bar which is closed this time of year. The Creamery also serves fresh-made sandwiches, pastries, cupcakes, and other desserts, plus coffee, espresso, but the real treat not to miss out on is the Biltmore Vanilla Ice Cream. This was GeorgeVanderbilt’s personal favorite and the original recipe, and  much of it’s success was thanks to the Vanderbilts’ prized herd of Jersey cows. Of all major dairy breeds, Jerseys produce the richest milk—high in butterfat, protein, and calcium. They also produce a higher volume of milk per each pound of body weight than other type of cattle, which still reside on the estate today.

Ironically the herd was originally primarily housed in the estate’s Main Dairy Barn, which is now used as the winery (sidenote- the main walk entrance is was the shit shoot, LOL) and just down the road was the Creamery, where cream was separated from the milk. Milk was then bottled and sold, while the cream was made into butter, buttermilk, cottage cheese, and, of course, ice cream, just like this. Today vintage Biltmore milk bottles can be worth up to $300 in antique stores due to the rarity and collectible factor; we spied a few in our antiquing travels which is great up in this area, and we love the idea of supporting the area after the flooding last year.

The estate still is a functioning farm to table establishment, we had dinner at, The Bistro one evening. It is known for estate-raised and regionally sourced ingredients crafted by our chefs in a open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs prepare the meals. My husband had the daily special of Lamb Shank which came directly from the property, he said it was the amazing and one the best meals he had ever had. Also included in room package was our daily breakfast, which included either the breakfast buffet or whatever you like on the menu as well. While that is not how it was listed online that was how it worked. I received some beautiful breakfast entrees during my stay, including this Breakfast Tart- Creme Fraiche Scrambled Eggs with Corned Beef and Caramelized Onions in a Truffled Cream Sauce. Served in a Aged Cheddar Tart with Shaved Truffles. It was amazing and don’t even get me started on the Southern Cheesy Grits.

We also took a falconry class to discover the ancient art of falconry while on Biltmore’s historic grounds. We learned how to handle a trained hawk and falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. It was a one-of-a-kind opportunity for sure to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey in such a beautiful mountain setting. I will say while I had done this type of activity previously in my youth as a “Disney Adventure”, it was Ron’s first time; but nothing really ever compares to a baby lion cub stealing your tennis shoe, lol.We also did a little clay shooting while we were there. This is a private club, and was inspired by the Biltmore tradition of enjoying sporting activities in a beautiful and pristine setting just like the Vanderbilts. Members receive exclusive access to the Clubhouse, along with a variety of shooting venues for sporting clays, trap, skeet, & 5-stand; as well as discounts on shooting lessons and equipment rentals.We had blast, I even split a single clay twice before it hit the ground using my 28 gauge; which was considered impressive with my colleagues.

Since we were in the area we also took a little field trip over the Grove Park Inn to visit the National Gingerbread Competition display. This has been on my bucket list for a while now, whether to actually compete or just view the entries. Below was this years 2025 winner.I can say I was not disappointed, there were so many entries located all over the hotel. Literally hundreds,which took at least half a day to see them all. Please know this is a free event; you only have to pay $30 for the day parking, if you are not a guest. Then you can have lunch, do some shopping and tour all the entries while you are there.

You can also purchase the $200 day pass to the spa, which is designed like the Hugh Hefner grotto’s with mineral pools. It is super ritzy, uber lux and so relaxing. The spa is ranked on of the best in the world, we have been here before and they offer some amazing treatments: massages, scrubs, wraps, facials, mani’s & pedi’s, hydro therapies, & even newer red light sauna therapies.  While I love the spa here; the rooms here can be a bit on the dated side; so I am glad we chose to stayed in the Estate Inn on property at the Biltmore it is more my speed. Plus it was super crowded with conferences as it always is booked.

I also highly recommend the boozy hot chocolate out on the Sunset Overlook patio. At $15  you get to keep the collectors keepsake cups. Add on a gingerbread cookie for the full experience. Sip and watch the early sunset it starts at 5 pm. Don’t worry about being cold they have heater which keep you toasty warm.

                  Did you love this travel post? What to see more of our trip and excursions? Check these out:

Our All Inclusive Adults Getaway

Our Read House, Room 311 Ghost Tour

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