Disclaimer: this particular clamping tent is not available any more but the hosts now offer a Shell Dome that is near the same location in Alexander North Carolina, which is a short drive of about 20 minutes from downtown Asheville. The new glamping dome is absolutely beautiful paired with an outdoor shower, sauna, and incredible porch view.
Serene Solar Powered Yurt – 20 minutes from downtown Asheville
I booked this stay quite some time ago back in May of 2021. When I started searching for somewhere to stay I knew that I wanted something that would make me feel like a was at a nature escape. I wanted to feel like I was off grid, but I also knew that I wanted to travel in to Asheville North Carolina, and that I didn’t want to be too far away. When I was looking on Airbnb I came across Blox and Kristin’s listing for their yurt and I very quickly realized this was very in tune with what I was looking for. I booked their stay within a few hours and the next weekend I headed out to my weekend nature getaway.
The Property & Getting There:
I traveled from East Tennessee to get to this location so I wasn’t too far away but far enough away to feel like you’re on a vacation. Once I arrived to their location the first thing I realized was the privacy that the entire property had to offer. I traveled down a gravel back road to reach their property. At first I was a little hesitant on just how private this place was, but I quickly felt right at home. I parked off their gravel road where their designated guest parking was and went to get the wagon they keep out for you to pull your stuff from your car to your stay. I could quickly tell that Kristin & Blox had multiple other glamping domes on the property as well. There were all different shapes and sizes of yurts and small beautiful stays across their little slice of heaven. Even though there were quite a few locations on this property my Yurt was in a location all by itself. I crossed the large yard setting where there was a rustic bathhouse type area, a stage, and a spot where you could build a fire. I crossed over towards the entrance of the woods were and made my way to the path that was designated and clearly marked for my yurt. The walk to the yurt wasn’t bad at all, but led you through the woods enough that you felt like you had the place all to yourself.
The yurt property immediately intrigued me and the property was exactly what I was needing. The yurt was perfectly placed on a flat piece of property right at the edge of the woods. You could see all of the amenities as you walked up. There was an outdoor shower that was open and was such an incredible experience for showering underneath the stars. You had access to hot and cold water, although as someone who did not have a lot of experience at the time with anything outdoorsy, the pump that controlled the water was controlled by a propane tank which was completely foreign too me and I had to ask the hosts to walk me through how to use it. There was also complimentary pre-cut firewood for your conveinence although during my stay the weather was not my friend and I ended up powering through a torrential downpour for the majority of my stay. Even with the bad weather, my experience still wasn’t negatively effected. The yurt provided the most relaxing atmosphere that was actually enhanced by the current weather situation.
Once you walk in to the yurt I was surprised with how strategic the entire inside of the place was laid out. It was the most cozy and relaxing atmosphere. I immediately recognized that located near the mirror there was a large meditation pillow along with a beautiful singing bowl that I absolutely took advantage of during my stay. The room was incredibly spacious, and located nearby was a small table, big enough for 2 people that was perfect for me to have my breakfast on. The rest of the decor was equally as incredible, with the most beautiful boho pieces.
Another key factor in the comfort of this place was the open window concept. There were floor length screened in window slots that went from floor to ceiling. This was one of my favorite parts about this place because I came there with the intent of getting the outdoor experience as much as possible while still feeling safe and having an inside aspect. Did I mention this was my first solo trip and I was still really on the nervous side of staying somewhere away from home, especially in a tent in the woods in the middle of nowhere in the middle of a monsoon with nothing but some pepper spray and a taser? All fear aside, while the sun was setting and the day was winding to an end I had the opportunity to turn the hanging string lights on outside that provided such a cozy atmosphere. On the inside, at night, there were some beautiful hanging string lights as well as a solar powered lamp that I absolutely took advantage of. The open window concept was my favorite throughout the night because I was able to listen to sound of the down pouring rain while reading away the night and eventually falling asleep to. The bed was also so comfy. It was beautifully decorated with some of the softest and sheets. I did stay during a hotter month of the year, although the rain provided me some cooler weather, I do tend to get a little warmer at night. The sheets were perfect for allowing a temperature controlled experience and I never once felt uncomfortable. In case you are also someone who has any issue with temperature, they did provide so many accommodations like a heather for the winter, and a fan for the Summer that I did take advantage of.
There was plenty of space to put your belongings to where they were up and off the ground which made me feel better in case of bugs. I did experience a few encounters with some creepy crawlies which I had already premeditated with this being an open concept yurt right along the edge of the woods. There were also so many additions that were put within this room that genuinely added to my over all comfort while staying here. There were extra blankets, pillows, fans, flashlights, a speaker, and my personal favorite was an essential oil diffuser that defused the perfect blend of natural scents through out my stay.
Being only a 20 minute drive from downtown Asheville this spot was perfectly situated near the busy downtown area. I was able to go out for the day where I enjoyed a trip to The Dumpling House and did some thrifting at the Goodwill Bins. I was able to enjoy the downtown luxuries throughout the day, and by night time I was able to escape back to my serene hideaway and it was the perfect combination of what I needed.
Overall, my experience at this Yurt getaway was a 10/10. The communication from the host Blox & Kristin was outstanding. They were quick to respond to every question and provided me with any accommodation I needed throughout my stay. The location was the perfect balance of nature getaway and city escape. I had quick access to hiking, restaurants, the blue ridge parkway, star gazing, and any type of exploring you are searching for. If you’re needing a private escape you absolutely need add these hosts to your list of people.
It was very evident how passionate the hosts were and I have no doubt they are still the most thoughtful an accommodating hosts. I would absolutely recommend anyone to go check out their Airbnb listing in Alexander North Carolina for a stay you will no doubt remember for years to come. Please remember Asheville North Carolina was greatly impacted by Hurricane Helene and while they do absolutely need monetary help from tourism, they are still recovering from the lasting impact of the hurricane so they city may not currently look or function the way it has before. Please be kind and patient with the people of this city and as always safe travels.
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