
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
Best for travelers who want a full-service resort experience: many restaurants and bars, an 18-hole golf course, a large subterranean spa, and extensive event space.
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The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa is a large, historic Asheville resort with a subterranean spa, golf course and many dining venues; read this if you want a full-service mountain resort with lots of on-site activities. Highland Lake Inn & Resort is a smaller, lake-area country inn in Flat Rock; read this if you prefer a quieter, more compact property with lake recreation and simple, family-friendly facilities.
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Best for travelers who want a full-service resort experience: many restaurants and bars, an 18-hole golf course, a large subterranean spa, and extensive event space.

Best for travelers who want a low-key lake retreat near Flat Rock attractions and straightforward family-friendly amenities like a seasonal outdoor pool and on‑site boating/fishing.
When The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa wins: choose the Omni for scale and variety — 513 rooms across three wings, 11 on-site dining outlets, a 43,000-sq‑ft subterranean spa (18+ access), an 18‑hole Donald Ross golf course, and a broad slate of activities and meeting/wedding spaces.
When Highland Lake Inn & Resort wins: choose Highland Lake Inn for a smaller, more intimate lake-area base in Flat Rock with direct access to boating, canoeing and fishing on the property, complimentary breakfast, free parking and a quieter neighborhood setting near The Park at Flat Rock and the Carl Sandburg Home.
Bottom line: pick the Omni if you want a major resort with on-site wellness, dining and activity options; pick Highland Lake Inn & Resort if you want a compact, lake-focused stay outside central Asheville with simpler, family-friendly amenities.
| Category | The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa | Highland Lake Inn & Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large, historic mountain resort and conference destination | Small lake-area Victorian lodge and country inn |
| Location | Asheville, on Sunset Mountain, close to downtown Asheville and Biltmore | Flat Rock, in the historical district near The Park at Flat Rock and Carl Sandburg Home |
| Size | 513 guest rooms across three buildings | 52 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Target guests / age policy | All ages (family-friendly); some adult-only options (private Club floor, 18+ spa) | All ages; family-friendly activities and children's games listed |
| Pools & water access | Indoor family pool (year-round) + seasonal heated outdoor pool; pools reserved for overnight guests | Outdoor seasonal pool; on-site rowing/canoeing, kayaking and fishing on the lake |
| Restaurants & bars | About 11 outlets including Vue 1913 (brasserie/AAA Four Diamond), a buffet, poolside grill and multiple lounges/bars | One on-site restaurant (Seasons Restaurant) and a bar/lounge; complimentary buffet breakfast daily |
| Spa & wellness | The Spa at The Omni Grove Park Inn — a 43,000 sq ft subterranean spa with many water features; 18+ access, treatments and day passes | Not published |
| Activities & on-site sports | Golf course (18 holes), tennis, pickleball, fitness classes, hiking trail, adventure booking desk | Tennis, outdoor pickleball court, free bicycles, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, hiking/biking trails and an arcade/game room |
| Meetings & events | Extensive — over 86,000 sq ft of event space, many ballrooms and outdoor venues (weddings/conferences) | Conference center and meeting rooms suitable for regional meetings and events |
| Parking & transit | Covered self-parking and valet (surcharges), on-property shuttle; nearest airport: AVL (~17 miles) | Free self parking on site; preferred airport: Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) listed |
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa sits on 150 acres above downtown Asheville with mountain and Biltmore-area access.
Choose the Omni for proximity to Asheville attractions and easy access to mountain drives and downtown dining.
Highland Lake Inn & Resort is in Flat Rock's historic district, a short drive from local cultural sites.
Choose Highland Lake Inn for a quieter base near Flat Rock attractions and short drives to Hendersonville points of interest.
The Omni offers a broad range of room types across three wings, from standard rooms to premium and club options.
The Omni suits travelers who want variety in room category, views and in-room amenities, including an adults-only option.
Highland Lake Inn & Resort has 52 individually decorated guestrooms and a selection of cabins and suites.
Highland Lake Inn offers a small, characterful selection of rooms and cabins suitable for couples and families seeking lake access.
The Omni provides a wide range of dining outlets and bars across price points and dining styles.
The Omni is better if you want variety of on-site dining and evening entertainment without leaving the property.
Highland Lake Inn centers dining around Seasons Restaurant and a single bar/lounge, plus a daily complimentary buffet breakfast.
Highland Lake Inn suits travelers who prefer a simpler, single-restaurant property or plan to dine off-site in Flat Rock/Hendersonville.
The Omni offers both an indoor family pool and a seasonal heated outdoor pool alongside extensive resort activities.
The Omni's pools are part of a larger activity program (golf, fitness classes) and are best if you want resort amenities on a bigger scale.
Highland Lake Inn's headline amenity is lake access for boating, canoeing/kayaking, and fishing plus a seasonal outdoor pool.
Highland Lake Inn is the pick for guests prioritizing lake-based recreation and a compact set of outdoor activities.
Wellness and evening options at the Omni range from a large spa to bars and live entertainment.
The Omni suits travelers who want a dedicated spa experience and evening entertainment without leaving the resort.
Highland Lake Inn focuses on low-key evenings: casual meals at the inn's restaurant and relaxed lakeside nights.
Highland Lake Inn is better if you prefer calm evenings and nature-based wellness rather than active nightlife.

The Omni — a 43,000 sq ft subterranean spa with many water features and a wide menu of treatments (18+ access).

Highland Lake Inn — on-site canoeing, kayaking, rowing and fishing plus lakeside access for outdoor activities.

The Omni — multiple restaurants and bars, from casual poolside dining to Vue 1913, an upscale brasserie.

Highland Lake Inn — smaller footprint, individually decorated rooms and a quieter Flat Rock neighborhood.
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa — it has a large subterranean spa with many water features and an extensive treatment menu; spa access is restricted to guests 18 and older.
Highland Lake Inn & Resort — the property lists on-site rowing/canoeing, kayaking and fishing on the lake.
Both accept children: The Omni is family-friendly with a family indoor pool and many kid options; Highland Lake Inn lists family-friendly activities and complimentary breakfast.
The Omni has many more on-site dining outlets and bars; Highland Lake Inn operates a single main restaurant and a bar/lounge.
Resort pools are reserved for overnight guests and members; spa pools require a treatment or Spa Day Pass and are limited to guests 18 and older.
Explore how The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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