News
August 2008,
CC Communications Launches New Website for Biltmore Farms Hotels
New Site Appeals to Visitors Searching for Ideal Escape to Asheville, NC Mountains
CHARLOTTE – August 21, 2008 – Biltmore Farms Hotels, a well-known hotel development company headquartered in Asheville, NC has launched an innovative and highly anticipated new website. The new website, available to searchers and visitors at http://www.biltmorefarmshotels.com, was designed and developed by CC Communications, Inc., a leading Web design and online marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. CC Communications is also working with Biltmore Farms Hotels on broadcast email marketing, search engine optimization and search engine marketing projects.
While the new website was primarily designed to attract travelers looking for high quality, full-service lodging solutions in and around the mountains of Asheville, it also offers a great deal more. In addition to learning about the amenities provided at any of the several choice hotel properties managed by Biltmore Farms, visitors can uncover special group programs, arrange specially tailored packages, discover innovative meeting spaces, plan the perfect wedding event, and design their trip around a convenient Asheville calendar of events.
Biltmore Farms Hotels has long pursued the Vanderbilt tradition of legendary hospitality. Since acquiring their first hotel property in 1989, the company continues to grow and develop new refinements. The Biltmore Farms family of hotels includes The Doubletree Biltmore Hotel, Sleep Inn Biltmore, The Quality Inn & Suites Biltmore South, and Residence Inn Asheville Biltmore. Each of these lodging solutions provides comfort and convenience to travelers visiting western North Carolina landmarks such as downtown Asheville, the Biltmore, Grandfather Mountain, Chimney Rock Park, Linville Caverns and many others. All Biltmore Farms hotel properties offer convenient access to major highways, Asheville Regional Airport and The Blue Ridge Parkway.
August 2008, New Hilton to get solar hot water system
Dale Neal • published August 24, 2008 12:57 pm
ARDEN - Biltmore Farms Hotels plans to install a large-scale solar water heating system atop its new Hilton Hotel in Biltmore Park Town Square. The system will provide the 165-room hotel with over 2,000 gallons of hot water a day, and it's expected that the system will save $10,000 annually in fuel costs.
The hot-water system is one of the many environmentally friendly measures the community developer and its partner, Crosland, LLC, are undertaking at Biltmore Park Town Square to promote a healthy environment, reduce energy costs, and help it achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. A few additional green features for the hotel include - an energy optimization program, the use of recycled, non-toxic and local materials, and the installation of Low- E materials throughout the entire hotel.
Expected to open in summer 2009, the Hilton Asheville will be one of the first major hotels into have solar water heating, and its system will be the largest solar hot water installation to date in the WNC region.
"Biltmore Farms is proud to be a part of Western North Carolina's transition to clean energy," said Jack Cecil, CEO of Biltmore Farms. "The Hilton Asheville will be a wonderful place to stay because of its many amenities plus a design that contributes to the natural beauty and sustainability of our region. Our commitment to sustainability is both good for business and the environment."
FLS Energy has been contracted to design and install the solar hot water system. The Black Mountain company has committed to supporting the shift to clean energy by improving access to solar technologies, especially for the commercial and industrial sectors.
"Solar hot water heating is one of the most cost-effective ways available to meet our energy needs," said Michael Shore, FSL Energy president. "We applaud Biltmore Farms for moving forward in procuring sustainable energy for this hotel and setting an example for Western North Carolina and, indeed, the rest of the country."
Solar hot water systems capture the sun's heat and put it to direct use, such as for heating water or spaces. Large hot-water users, such as hotels, hospitals, restaurants, swimming pools and homeowners are well-suited to reap the benefits of this technology, Shore said.
August 2008, FALL 2008 COLOR FORECAST GOOD NEWS FOR COLOR HUNTERS
- Foliage experts report favorable conditions for vibrant color in the Blue Ridge Mountains -
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (August 15, 2008) -- As summer winds down, early climate indicators and mild weather trigger predictions that fall 2008 could produce the most colorful leaf season in years in Western North Carolina.
"The environmental conditions leading into autumn are the best we've seen in years here in Western North Carolina, possibly setting the stage for the brightest leaf color show in recent history," said Dr. Gary Walker, a biology professor at Appalachian State University.
"Comparatively, the high country has had a wet summer and now temperatures are beginning to cool," said Dr. Walker. "Dry, cool weather from here on out and, ideally, an early frost in September would produce intense, widespread fall color at all elevations."
"This should be a pretty good fall for leaf color change. We are still in drought conditions in the western part of the state (which is surprisingly good for fall color), although there was enough rainfall this spring to keep the trees healthy," said Dr. Kathy Gould Mathews, assistant biology professor at Western Carolina University. "Fortunately, the summer temperatures have not been as consistently hot as last year. This should make for a nice, long progression of fall color."
"Slight drought tends to improve the vibrancy of leaf color in the fall, so we should see spots of very nice color this year," said Dr. Mathews. "A sharp cooling of temperatures in September and October would really cause the colors to burst, as this stimulates anthocyanin (red pigment) production."
ABOUT
With elevations that range from 1,500 feet in the valleys to 6,684 feet at Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, the Asheville area is a fall leaf kaleidoscope from late September through early November as the foliage color beginning at the highest elevations slowly creeps down the mountainsides. Color hunters hoping to find the perfect "peak" time for fall foliage are surprised to learn that Western North Carolina boasts one of the most extended fall foliage seasons in the nation due to varying elevations, microclimates and nearly 100 species of deciduous trees.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Weekly Fall Color Reports: To help visitors locate the perfect autumn vista, weekly fall color reports for the mountains of Western North Carolina are posted by the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau at FallintheMountains.com and a toll-free hotline (800-257-1300). Starting the week of Sept. 22, leaf color reports will direct visitors to the best fall fireworks from week to week, using advice from Blue Ridge Parkway, U.S. Forest Service officials and a cadre of foliage experts throughout the region.
FALL STORY IDEAS
Budget-Friendly Fall: Save some green while hunting for the red, yellow and orange. Wallet-friendly itineraries, gas promotions, coupons and insider savings tips at FallintheMountains.com.
Color Hunters vs. Leaf Peepers: Intense fall adventures from extreme to mellow
Unique Aerial Views of Fall Foliage: Roof-top tours, hot air balloons, rock climbing and other birds-eye views of fall color
Fall Harvest: Seasonal farm-to-table cuisine and harvest celebrations
Eco-Friendly Autumn: Tips for greener fall adventures
MULTIMEDIA
Images -- High-res fall photography
Digital Video -- Adventures of the Color Hunter
April 2008, Hotel Expansion
The Doubletree Hotel expansion is progressing on schedule. The plan is to open the newly renovated hotel by June 1, 2008, with 37 beautifully appointed guest rooms, two large suites with whirlpool tubs and private patios on selected rooms that offer private dining overlooking the lush forest area.
The building is up and the brick-work is almost complete. Walls are up in the guest rooms and the windows are in. Work is proceeding on installation of a state-of-the-art kitchen facility. Craftsmen are finishing up the spacious hotel pool, preparing to put detailed touches on the pool tile by creating a stunning DoubleTree logo on the bottom.
Wiring, duct work and plumbing are next and strategic planning is starting on the innovative meeting space that will be some of the most technologically savvy in the area.
Check this page often for updates and announcements regarding the latest progress on your new Doubletree Biltmore Hotel - Asheville.
Related articles:
Life on Vacation: Grandeur in both town and country
|
