Tag Archive for: weekend getaway

AN ASHEVILLE WEEKEND GETAWAY 2025

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/24/25

The SUITE-est hotel in Asheville, NC is the Embassy Suites Downtown Asheville. John and I took a weekend getaway up to beautiful Asheville, NC and fell in love with the downtown area all because we stayed in this brand-new hotel that is just SUITE! It is steps from downtown attractions like Grove Arcade, restaurants, bars, nightlife, and a ton of Asheville’s big breweries!

Beyond the perfect location, the hotel is a stunner! You step inside the sweeping and large lobby and welcomed by lounge vibes with comfy couches, beautiful pendant lighting, marble waterfall features, tons of seating around the electric fireplace, and a large bar and restaurant.

Upstairs in the room, you’ll find clean, comfortable, spacious king suites like our room! You walk into a den and living space where you can relax and watch TV on the large comfy couch. Around the corner is the large king bedroom with one of the comfiest mattresses! There is a gorgeous bathroom with tons of white tile and clean, modern lines, walking shower and large vanity area.

Amenities. One of the biggest perks at staying at an Embassy Suites is their hot free breakfast with omelette making station to customize your own omelette, all the usual breakfast suspects and even banana bread! Another is the 5pm happy hour with 2 free drinks and a bunch of salty snacks, dip, veggies, and fruit! Of course they have a pool, fitness area, and business area.

Soprana Rooftop Cocina

And wait until you see the gorgeous rooftop bar, which is the spot for pizza and views in downtown Asheville, Soprana Rooftop Cocina. It is a gorgeous Italian cucina with sweeping mountain views! Once I saw the space, I was super excited to try it, and it was one of the best meals experiences all weekend! They have staple Italian fare, an extensive brick-oven pizza list, a fun creative cocktail menu, wines, all set to the mountains in the background! To my surprise my favorite dish is the burrata. I do like burrata, but this one was sensational! Think cool and mild cheese encased in a mild cheese shell then served with fresh, local, sweet, ripe peaches and the best earthy yet herbaceous pesto! The entire bite was a flavor train.

The other appetizers I got were the Meatballs and the oven roasted chicken wings. The meatballs are rich, meaty, herbaceous and fall apart tender local beef and pork. Plus, they jam some ricotta in it for a creaminess! Topped and surrounded by a tasty, tangy herbed tomato sauce, fresh herbs and mozzarella, and finally finished with sharp pecorino. The other appetizer is the large, tender, and juicy chicken wings. Rubbed with the local delicious Spicewalla Italian dry rub then doused in garlic butter and a hint of charred lemon. I paired it with their Luxe Limone, their limoncello cocktail. It is an herbaceous gin, house made limoncello, creamy egg white, sweet vanilla, and you can’t miss the sweet meringue on top!

For dinner, the Asheville pizza hit the spot. It is the classic spicy pepperoni and a hot honey combination! It so good! Crunchy yet light and fluffy pizza topped with lots of local spicy pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, local smoky, spicy Asheville bee charmer smokin’ hot honey, and a tangy herbaceous marinara. I got the Honey I’m Blushing cocktail with it. A creamy almond cream with a warm reposado tequila, tangy blood orange, and a hint of lemon. For dessert came the Flourless torte. A rich and deep chocolate dessert in a flaky shell then topped with candied and toasted hazelnut and creamy Nutella.

Grove Arcade

John and I took a day to explore everything Grove Arcade; it is truly THE destination in Asheville. As Asheville’s original mall, with gorgeous 1920s architecture and a hint of New Orleans funk, there is so much to find here. They have shops, dining, and more all in one place and in a building built in the 1920s and opened in 1929! It has a rich history!

Some of the Grove Arcade highlights include, grabbing a coffee or bevy and a beignet at Babette’s to fuel your day. They have so many shops, so peruse the many shops including my favorite, Razberry Threads. After that, grab lunch at Carmel’s as they have an assortment of southern fare. I loved their deviled eggs with candied bacon and a glass of wine.

In the afternoon, sip on suds from Wedege Brewing downtown. I got the dry Irish stout and John got a Pilsner. We visited the original back over 10 years ago and are glad to visit them again! After some more shopping, my favorite spot I found is the Battery Park Book Exchange. It is a champagne and bookstore where I tried their La Grande Tour champagne flight. And this is real champagne from France! One of the ones I tried, Monopole, was a brand served on the Titanic! Finish off the day with dinner at Asheville Proper. The best bite is their tender and rich Wagyu zebuton! I paired it with a boozy Manhattan and their earthy local mushrooms. A great dinner spot.

FIND YOUR AHHH IN VALDOSTA, GA!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/11/23

Just a few hours south of Atlanta in South Georgia, Valdosta is the perfect stopping point to relax on the way to Florida or even better for a weekend getaway. They call it finding your “ahhh.” Downtown has everything you could imagine with delicious food destinations, a brewery, a wine bar, shopping, boutique hotels, a local playhouse, artwork to see, all wrapped up in a walkable adventure! Start with staying at the McKey boutique hotel, have dinner at 306 North, take a walking tour of the artwork and murals around downtown, stop for a brew at Georgia Beer Company, and stay for brunch at Downtown Social. So, whether you stop through or stay a while, it’s ahhhmazing. Let’s explore. 

The McKey 

Where can you stay in Valdosta that SOAKS up everything downtown has to offer? It’s The McKey! A brand new, luxurious 12-room boutique hotel in the historic McKey building. It is steps from restaurants, bars, and shopping. Fun fact: all the suites in the McKey are named after tenants that at one time we’re in the building, like restaurants, law firms, or historical facts like the year the building was constructed, or year the first pecan tree was planted. Each room has its own tribute and photos to go along with it!  

We stayed in the S&K Suite that is named after the S&K diner, a local hang out spot nicknamed “sit and kiss,” the suite is thought of as their bridal suite. Feast your eyes upon this one bed, one bath suite, with a spectacular bathroom boasting a massive soaker tub that has changed my mind about baths, a large full-length mirror and sitting area, two spacious vanities, a separated shower and toilet area. If I could have a bathroom at home, this would do! Then, on to the bedroom where there is a large, comfy long bed with a view of downtown right out the window! In the sitting area and kitchenette, it’s the perfect spot to relax with a glass of wine and chat about everything you want to do in downtown Valdosta!  

306 North 

Southern fare was on our mind, so we visited 306 North in downtown Valdosta! They have elevated traditional Southern dishes like fried green tomatoes, fried duck, salads, and even Tuna Tataki, all paired with a great cocktail menu, wine list, and beer selection.  

Starting with this fresh Tuna Tataki, the fish is lightly seared and surrounded by creamy, spicy mayonnaise, a wonderful cilantro soy vinaigrette, pickled ginger, and a spicy wasabi cream to round out the dish. It is a delicious start to our meal. Then, we paired it with their amazing fried green tomatoes. The tomatoes themselves are crunchy yet tender and topped with a sensational, sharp pimento cheese and a spicy, sweet pepper jelly. It’s a flavor train!  

To drink, we tried their Manhattan. This one is boozy with hints of cinnamon and cherry! A delicious accoutrement with our main, the duck breast! On the side, we started our main dish with the wedge salad. It is creamy and cool, crisp bacon, tomatoes, and peas atop a mild blue cheese dressing. The perfect pair for the Maple Farms Duck breast.  

The Maple Farms Duck Breast is lightly fried and crunchy out, tender and juicy in, then topped with a delicious and tangy, sweet blackberry jam reduction that is just stunning with the savory of the duck. On the plate with the duck, we got the Balsamic Mushrooms that are savory and deep, earthy and the honey-truffle sweet potatoes are sweet and tangy, tender, hints of truffle and honey!  

Georgia Beer Company 

After our scrumptious meal, we took a short walk to look at the murals and artwork around Valdosta, GA! All on the way to a great brewery, Georgia Beer Company! They have a large list of brews to choose from, like stouts, sours, IPAs, lagers, and everything in between. The space is large and open with a long bar, table seating, and a huge outdoor space with live music!  

Some of the beers we sampled included the Destress Express sensational coffee milk stout with a coffee forward nose and on the palate then mellowing into a creamy yet slightly bitter aftertaste. Being only 6.5% it is more like a cup of Joe than a boozy stout. Another favorite was the Blueberry Field Party Blonde Ale, a 5% blueberry forward beer on the nose and palate, very fruity. If you love sours, Grandmas Jelly Mayhaw Berry Sour is a 5.3% tangy and tart beer but not overpowering and refreshing. 

Of the rest we sampled, the Foggy Bottom is a 7% west coast IPA, large hops, bitter on the back, while Azalea City amber ale is a 5.5% malty yet balanced, mellow, and smooth amber. Dark 30 Black IPA is a 6% beer that’s both toasty and hoppy, while the Back Nine Lager is a smooth, sippable light beer that only has 130 calories! You really can’t go wrong with any of these beers from Georgia Beer Company! 

Downtown Social 

One morning, we were craving brunch, so we headed just around the corner from The McKey over to Downtown social. Their shareable brunch was right up our alley! Downtown Social is an incredible boutique bowling and game destination with a large full bar and shareable bite menu! We enjoyed the shareable brunch board, mimosa flight, breakfast empanadas, and even a bowl of tot-chos!  

We just couldn’t resist their shareable brunch board stuffed with all the brunch goodies like sweet and crispy waffles, crunchy, tender chicken tenders (Pro tip: make chicken and waffles), savory egg frittata, flaky, buttery biscuits with savory sausage gravy, sweet French toast sticks, fruit, jam, honey, and a helping of bacon and sausage on the side! It will blow your mind! To pair with this we got the super cool mimosa flight with sweet and floral pea flower, bright pineapple, sweet cherry, and tangy orange! 

The other two dishes we tried were the Breakfast Empanadas and the Tot-chos. The empanadas were crunchy outside warm in with spicy chorizo and jalapeño surrounded by egg, paired with bright pico and a sharp beer cheese. For our side, we got an amazing fruit bowl filled with blueberries and strawberries. Another fun dish is Tot-chos. Starting with a savory egg that’s over a bed of crispy warm Tots with sharp beer cheese, savory pulled brisket, and tangy peppers. Either way, you’re in for a treat. 

Valdosta has so much to do, you should get down there for a weekend trip and soak up all the relaxation and fun you can! 

Hogansville: Relax in Luxury at The Grand Hotel

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/14/21

Only about 40 minutes outside of Atlanta, there’s a cute, small town that boasts a gorgeous Grand Hotel downtown opposite from some small shops, a hometown pub with food and beer, a pizza joint with slices and wings, a market, coffee shop, and a cool little driving range and bar, a short walk away. Hogansville is a small town has all the small town feels and the most charming people you’ll ever meet. We didn’t meet a stranger the entire night! It’s where stories from veterans, movie industry people, factory workers, and farmers all intermingled to create a patchwork of small-town American Life. Phones don’t work very well here, so it was refreshing to get out and actually engage people and learn more about this town and their way of life.

Back at our hotel, stepping into the Grand Hotel, your immediately greeted with a beautiful blue couch with an original, ornate chandelier hanging in the middle of the warm, wood room. The fireplace and mantle sprawl on the opposite wall as the paneling leads into the hallway and the rich, wood stairs lead up to a common room upstairs surrounded by guest rooms. Couches, tables, lamps, inhabit the common room, a spot to relax and chat with your neighbors if you will. This hotel only has about 9 rooms, and is very affordable for a weekend getaway out of the hustle and bustle of the city.

Entering room 2 with an actual key, it’s like staying in another era, a quieter, simpler time where people sat and chatted in their seating area, warmed by the fire, and turned in when the sun went down. This is how The Grand Hotel feels. In our room, you’re immediately in a sitting room with a small desk and decorative couch. To the left is the gas fireplace that emits a warm glow that you can see through the opulent stained-glass window. On the other side of the wall is the bedroom with it’s own fireplace, a large, comfortable king bed, and it’s private door to the wrap around balcony outside.

Coming back down the maze of stairs, you can either go straight into the chess room or travel to the bottom and turn left you’ll immediately move into the 1890 Room. An evening cocktail spot adorned with a beautiful fireplace, it’s very own stained-glass window, and a large piano in the corner. The bar turns out classic cocktails that fit into the hotel’s 1900s feel, like Call Me Old Fashioned with it’s bourbon and booziness, or the 1890 Sour that’s sweet and creamy, to The HVLLE, a classic Tiki cocktail with tons of coconut. If you’re hungry, they have tapas like an amazing charcuterie board stuffed with 4 meats, three cheese, and all the essential accoutrements! They also have fresh empanadas brought in from Atlanta. Even if you just want to grab a beer, that’s on the menu! The bartenders are friendly and enjoy telling stories!

Down the street from the hotel, is Drive Bar. Owned by James, a Navy Vet, is THE spot to try the latest, local craft beer, and hang out in the bays and hit some golf balls. Almost like a small-town top golf, golf aficionados or friends that just like some friendly competition gather to enjoy the company, the beer, and play one of the many games they have online. They use top golf technology for smaller markets and driving ranges so you can see how far your ball goes and can compete with others on a myriad of games like who can drive it the farthest or hit a target. They are by the hour, affordable fun with a great selection of beers from everyone like Line Creek to Wild Leap and food trucks at night for hungry customers.

Other things to do in Hogansville is the Pub for a burger and a wide selection of drinks, there is also Karvela’s pizza where you can grab a slice for lunch or wings, Brett from Drive Bar said, “you can’t do Hogansville without going to Karvela’s.” After a fun night listening to stories, sipping on cocktails, and eating wonderful food, we headed back to the traffic and busyness of the city. We won’t forget Hogansville, though. It’s a great little town to get away from it all.