Wellness Getaway to Asheville, NC
I had been planning this trip for almost a year, and keeping it a secret was not easy! For my girlfriend Jenn’s 40th birthday, I asked if I could surprise her with a getaway. She quickly agreed, and I immediately started planning a trip to one of my favorite spots: Asheville, North Carolina.
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Her husband, CB, and my husband, Joe, are really close friends, so we decided to make it a couples retreat. Good food, massages, a sound bath, and time together in the mountains sounded like the perfect way to celebrate.
The whole trip was a surprise to Jenn. Each day, she had no clue what we were doing. She only knew what to wear! I was so excited to share some of the places Joe and I love and try a few new spots together, too.
If you’re looking for an Asheville wellness getaway with beautiful surroundings, amazing spa experiences, and plenty of good food, these are the places I would absolutely put on your list.
Staying Downtown at Kimpton Hotel Arras
For this getaway, we stayed at Kimpton Hotel Arras, part of IHG. The central location makes it such a good home base for an Asheville trip. The hotel is right on Pack Square in downtown Asheville, close to restaurants, cafés, galleries, and local shops. You can spend part of the day out in the mountains and come back to downtown with plenty nearby to enjoy. I love that balance for a trip like this. We had our sound bath, soaking time, and dinner outside the city, but we also had a convenient place to stay in the middle of everything. It makes it easy to enjoy different parts of Asheville without moving hotels.
Daily Breakfast at Bargello
We ate breakfast at Bargello, the restaurant inside Hotel Arras, every day. Having breakfast right downstairs was so convenient with our plans.
Bargello is an Italian and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, with handmade pasta, house-made bread, and seasonal dishes on its broader menu. For this trip, it was our breakfast spot before heading out for the day. When you have spa appointments and surprises planned, it’s nice to have an easy place to eat before you go. And Jenn still had no clue what was coming next. Just her instructions on what to wear!
A Mountain Sound Bath with Dawn Sagonias
We headed out early one morning for a sound bath with Dawn Sagonias of Sound of a New Dawn. I had been looking forward to sharing this surprise with the birthday girl, and the setting was beautiful before we even walked inside.
You’re surrounded by the North Carolina mountains, and there’s a beautiful barn that you see as you’re pulling up. We crossed a small bridge over a stream, and everything felt so calm and inviting. This was exactly the kind of place I wanted to bring Jenn.
Dawn came out and welcomed us with the biggest hug. Her presence is so warm, and she made us feel welcome right away. She showed us around the grounds and her bee hut, which Jenn and CB loved as fellow beekeepers. I loved that they had that connection with her before our session even started.
Dawn offers sound baths at The Sound Nest in Alexander and Inner Wolf Retreat Space in Mars Hill, both in the Asheville area. She works with individuals, couples, and groups, so you can plan something personal for your own getaway. Her background includes massage therapy, yoga, and music, and she has been practicing sound healing since 2015.
Setting Our Intentions
When we went inside, Dawn asked us to sit together and talk about our intentions for the sound bath. This was the first time I had ever experienced someone asking that before a session, and I really appreciated it.
As she started playing, I understood why she takes that time with everyone. It felt like she was putting her intention into what we had shared with her. She listened to us, and that care carried through the whole experience.
Her session was relaxing from start to finish. She made room for all of our emotions, from sadness and fear to love and joy. Whatever we brought with us, there was space for it. The space she held was incredible and so loving.
That’s what made this sound bath stand out to me. The instruments were beautiful, but the way Dawn welcomed us and cared for us made it feel so personal.
Singing Bowls, Gongs, and So Much More
Dawn plays an array of instruments, from singing bowls to gongs and everything in between, and she sings during parts of the session. Her sessions can also include chimes, an ocean drum, and a harmonium. There’s so much variety in the sound, but it all comes together in a way that feels deeply relaxing.
I love having that time to lie down, listen, and let myself rest. I don’t have to plan anything or think about what’s next. For me, a sound bath is a chance to quiet my mind, feel calmer, and find my center again.
If you’ve never tried one, this would be such a lovely introduction. Dawn takes time to explain the experience and make you feel comfortable. I would absolutely include a session with her in a wellness trip, especially if you’re celebrating with people you love.
Intentional Garden Suppers at Inner Wolf
Dawn also has something really special at Inner Wolf Retreat Space: the Culinary Meliorism Garden Suppers.
These dinners bring people together around a garden table beside the river for seasonal food, local honey, poetry, and connection. The five-course supper pairs food with live poetry readings, and honey from the beekeeping side of the property is part of what makes the meal so personal to this place.
I love the idea of food made with intention and an evening where you can really connect with the people around you. Put the phones away, enjoy the meal, talk to someone new, and take your time. That sounds like such a beautiful addition to a wellness getaway.
Approximately four dinners a year are planned, so this is something to keep an eye on when you’re choosing your travel dates. Check the upcoming calendar for the next supper and any sound bath or beekeeping experiences you can add to the evening.
With Jenn and CB being beekeepers, I especially loved the connection between the bees, the honey, and the food. There’s so much care going into what Dawn is creating here.
Shoji Spa & Retreat: An Absolute Must
Midday, we headed to Shoji Spa & Retreat. This is a must for me. Joe and I have been dozens of times, and no matter the season, from summer through winter, we absolutely love our time here.
Shoji is a Japanese-inspired spa tucked into the mountainside, with private outdoor saltwater soaking tubs overlooking the forest. It feels like you’re in your own world. You’re close to Asheville, but once you’re settled into the outdoor space, you can just relax and enjoy being there.
We all hopped into the hot tub, turned on the jets, and relaxed. After our sound bath that morning, this was such a good way to spend the next part of the day.
You can have tea or other available drinks delivered to your outdoor soaking space, which I love. There’s something so nice about being able to stay right where you are and enjoy the whole experience.
The trees, the fresh air, and the warm water keep us coming back. I love it in summer, and I love it just as much when it’s cold outside. A winter soak feels especially cozy!
Shoji also offers massages and spa packages if you want to spend more time here. But even if you’re only coming for a soak, I would make room for it in your trip. This is one of those places Joe and I never get tired of visiting, and I was so happy to share it with Jenn and CB.
Dinner at The Silo Cookhouse at The Horse Shoe Farm
The first meal we all had together was at The Silo Cookhouse at The Horse Shoe Farm. This was my first time at the restaurant and property, and it definitely won’t be my last.
Our friends were excited to see where I had picked for our first dinner. We pulled up to a little piece of heaven! The Horse Shoe Farm stretches across 85 acres in Hendersonville, outside Asheville, and the grounds are incredible.
We followed the directions to The Silo as the sun was setting. Everything felt so relaxed and serene. It was such a beautiful place to start our time together, and I was already excited to come back before we had even tried the food.
The restaurant is cozy, with Southern charm to the max, and the hospitality was top-notch. The Silo focuses on seasonal, farm-to-table food with local Appalachian flavors. The property also has lodging and The Stable Spa, so there’s plenty here to explore if you’re planning a longer stay.
Mocktails, Steak Tartare, and Fork-Tender Osso Buco
Joe, CB, and I enjoyed creative, yummy mocktails while Jenn had a glass of wine. Their cocktails looked amazing, too! I always appreciate having interesting drink options when I’m in the mood for something without alcohol.
We all ordered different dishes, from steak to pork to chicken, along with several appetizers. Everything was incredible. We all agreed that the steak tartare was the best we’d ever had. That alone would get me back here!
I enjoyed the osso buco, which was fork-tender and so delicious. Between the food, the setting, and the service, this dinner was such a good pick for our first night together.
They change parts of the menu with the seasons, so there will be something new to look forward to on another visit. I would happily go back and order my favorites again, but I’m also excited to see what else they make.
If you’re planning dinner here, give yourself a little time to enjoy the grounds. Pulling up as the sun was setting made the whole evening even more beautiful.
Urban Exhale: My Favorite Spa in the Whole Wide World
The absolute must, and the place I book before I even make our hotel reservations, is Urban Exhale. My favorite spa in the whole wide world. Seriously!
Joe and I love this place so much that we headed out three hours earlier than expected on the day we were leaving for the trip, just so we could get a massage before our friends showed up. If there’s a way to fit in another visit, we’re going to find it.
We typically book daily massages at Urban Exhale when we’re doing a spa retreat. In my opinion, it’s a must. They have options from 60 minutes up to three hours, and I try to get 90 minutes or two hours whenever possible. I love having that extra time to settle in and enjoy the massage.
Their massages are personalized to what you need and the pressure you prefer. They offer several styles of bodywork, including the Jade Orchid massage with hot jade stones, hot towels, and aromatherapy. There’s a lot to choose from, whether you want something gentle and relaxing or more focused work.
The Garden Room Is My Favorite
For this trip, I booked Jenn and CB into the Garden Oasis room at Urban Exhale. It’s my favorite space in the city.
The room is full of plants and water features, and it’s extremely relaxing. It sets the mood so beautifully before the massage even begins. I knew I wanted them to experience that room for this trip.
If you love the idea of a massage in a lush garden space, ask for this room when you book. It’s such a special setting for a couples massage, and it’s one of the things I love most about Urban Exhale.
Urban Oasis: You Guys, I LOVE This Space
When I heard they had another location with facials, yoga, and more wellness experiences, I knew I had to check it out. While Jenn and CB went to Urban Exhale, Joe and I headed over to Urban Oasis.
You guys, OMG. I LOVE this space.
The entry doors are epic and set the whole vibe as soon as you arrive. I was already excited walking in, and our couples massage was incredible. It’s such a beautiful addition to the places we already love in Asheville.
Urban Oasis offers massage, Eminence organic facials, and HydraFacial treatments, along with yoga, meditation, and retreat offerings. The facials sound magical, and I’m planning to go back in a month to get one. I already know I want more time here!
The Shop and the Dolly Parton Shrine
Their retail space is amazing. I swear we buy more in their spas than we do in the whole city of Asheville. Give yourself a little time to look around because we definitely do!
They also have the best Dolly Parton shrine. I loved that detail. It adds so much personality to the space and is absolutely worth taking a look at while you’re there.
I’m so happy we made time to visit this location. Urban Exhale has been a favorite for so long, and now we have another spot to look forward to every time we come back.
My Tips for an Asheville Wellness Getaway
Book the experiences you’re most excited about first. You already know mine: Urban Exhale gets booked before the hotel! If you want a particular room, a couples massage, or a private sound bath, make those reservations early.
Leave time between appointments, too. You’ll want to enjoy the setting at Shoji, take in the grounds at The Horse Shoe Farm, and have a little time after your sound bath. Some of these experiences are outside downtown, so allow time for the drive when you’re planning your day.
And don’t forget the food. Breakfast together, a beautiful dinner, and good conversation were just as much a part of this trip as the spa time.
I had been so excited to celebrate Jenn’s 40th this way, and sharing it with her, CB, and Joe made all that planning worth it. Asheville gave us beautiful places to relax, incredible meals, and time together with some of our favorite people. I can’t wait to go back.
