The Grove Park Inn has maintained its status as one of the nation’s most acclaimed resorts since opening its doors in 1913. Embarking on its 100th anniversary in 2013, the resort continues its legacy embracing traditions while looking to the future with exciting new endeavors.
This renowned property is about to get even more appealing as KSL Capital Partners, which acquired Grove Park Inn in May 2012, invests $25 million to welcome a new era that honors the historic style of the hotel while enhancing the guest experience into the future. Focusing on its long history in arts and entertainment, as well as its legacy as a destination for wellness, the milestone will focus on three themed seasons – Music & Entertainment, January – April; Health & Wellness, May – August and Arts & Literature, September – December. Some of the exciting events in the centennial year include:
Music & Entertainment: The Grove Park Inn has a long tradition of supporting the arts and has hosted renowned guests from Houdini to Enrico Caruso, George Gershwin to Will Rogers. Among blockbuster talent already on board for 2013: the 22nd Annual Big Band Swing Dance Weekend will feature concerts and dancing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra (January 18 & 19); multi-Grammy award-winning jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny and John Pizzarelli for the All That Jazz Weekend (January 25 & January 26); and Celtic music with a return engagements by Solas (February 1st) and Gaelic Storm (February 2). The Grove Park Inn will play the winter season for laughs, too, with a Comedy Weekend headlined by Caroline Rhea (March 8 & 9).
Food and Beverage: Focusing on the property’s long tradition of farm-to-table cuisine, the Inn will host The Centennial Celebrity Chef Summer Series. The series will feature guest celebrity chefs and their personally designed menus, farm tours with the Inn’s chefs and book signings with new cookbook authors. Finally, Turn Back Time as You Dine with the retro inspired menus created from the inn’s original 1913 courses.
Health & Wellness The $50 million, 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa will feature a series of health and wellness events. Incorporating nationally acclaimed wellness authors and teachers, as well as spa cuisine cooking demos, each event will include spa treatments and health and wellness consultations. In addition, Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), which has a satellite location at Grove Park Inn, will offer an exclusive series of guided rafting, zipline, hiking and mountain biking adventures.
Specialty Packages: Join the centennial celebration of The Grove Park Inn with the We’re Turning 100 Together package. The resort will extend two nights of accommodations inclusive of daily breakfast and dinner complimentary to anyone celebrating 100 in 2013. Those under 100 can still join in of the fun with the Once in a Lifetime Centennial package including a limited-edition resort book and guest inclusion in the centennial time capsule. In addition, the historic inn will continue celebrations into its birthday month with a grand celebration on the Fourth of July Weekend.
For package reservations or more information about the Centennial Celebration at The Grove Park Inn, please contact 800-438-5800; email [email protected]; or visit www.groveparkinn.com
(Image provided by Flickr user jacqueline.poggi.)