Monte Vista Hotel History

The Monte Vista Hotel is a family enterprise that was started in 1919 in the beautiful tourist town of Black Mountain, NC and proudly continues today.

Early Days

The founders of the Monte Vista, Lucien and Rosalie Phillips, first fell in love with Black Mountain when they brought groups of young people to the old Methodist Colony east of town. With their three children – Lucien, Dorothy and Bill – they eventually left their acres in South Carolina, bought an old school building from the Buncombe County Board of Education, remodeled the building and opened an inn in 1919.

The Farmhouse

The annex, now called the Farmhouse, to the inn was built in 1926 to accommodate the booming tourism business that Western North Carolina was experiencing. People flocked to the mountains to breathe the cool, clean air. Most visitors to the area at that time arrived by train and the Monte Vista’s proximity to the train depot in Black Mountain was as asset. Today, the Farmhouse is a popular choice for wedding parties and family reunions.

A Grand Gala In 1935, there was a gala for the grand opening of the new Monte Vista. When word got out around the town that there would be dancing of the "Big Apple", the dance craze of the day, the crowd was large and enthusiastic. This building is the heart of the Monte Vista today.

A Black Mountain Landmark The Monte Vista has survived the changing times. The hotel has become a cultural and civic landmark for Black Mountain and is located only two blocks from the heart of downtown. Over 75 shops, galleries, restaurants and studios call Black Mountain home.

Weddings and Events at the Monte Vista Hotel

For generations families have enjoyed garden style weddings and rehearsal dinners at the Monte Vista. Pricing is quite reasonable and the food is always a delight. There is a special honeymoon suite for the newlyweds and we can provide rooms for out of town guests. Murder Mystery Weekends are also very popular, with themes including luau, roaring 20s, costume balls and more.

The Monte Vista Today The Monte Vista balances its rich history with the ever changing needs of travelers. In 1980, sixteen first floor rooms were added to the main building. Modern services like wireless internet make the Monte Vista Hotel one of the most unique places to stay in the Asheville and Black Mountain area.