There are quiet moments when the cares of the world fall away and all that's left is gentle silence. Surrounded by the soft gray-violet mists of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Freedom Escape Lodge is a perfect place to stop and taste ""forever"". Tucked in a mountain cove, Freedom Escape Lodge looks over 600 acres of towering pines and gentle dogwoods, graced with a shimmering lake and softly-shaded stream feeds a thriving gristmill. Located minutes from downtown Asheville and the stunning views of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Freedom Escape is the ideal location for your family reunion, wedding, corporate meeting, church retreat, or personal hide-away. At Freedom Escape you can be as far from the worries of the world as you care to be. The Lodge has accommodations to sleep up to 42, and a few more with roll-a-way beds. Each of our spacious 17 rooms have twin, queen or king beds. All rooms have private baths, private porches, views of either the mountains or lakes, sitting areas and color televisions with cable and free HBO. One of the rooms is a suite and two others are cottage rooms with a kitchenette and living room. The center of Lodge activities features a large fireplace and a window wall bounded by a full length deck, ideal for mass-group relaxing or possibly a different kind of cookout. Many artistic patrons enjoy using the porch to render paintings of the lake and mountains. A piano and ample space makes the ""Great Room"" ideal for informal sessions and gatherings. Many guests enjoy sitting in front of the fire or relaxing with card, chess or other games. A large television (also with cable) and a VCR is at your disposal. Our separate dining room normally seats 36. We have the ability to rework the layout for banquets, receptions and special events to accommodate much larger groups. Our full time Chef takes great pride in preparing a variety of outstanding meals which is, in no small part, responsible for much of our ""repeat"" business. Meals can be served either buffet, home or full sit down style. Weather permitting, cookouts are served on the ""Deck"" or in the ""Hollow"", which is our outdoor recreation area. We offer a variety of meal plans to accommodate your preferences and your agenda. Most business groups prefer a 3 meal arrangement of breakfast, lunch and dinner. The 2 meal plan is customarily brunch at mid or late morning and dinner in the evening. All meals are arranged daily to suite your schedule. Depending on your arrival and departure schedule, separate meals are provided on these days as required. If you are inviting guests to join you for the day at your sessions, let us know and we'll make sure they are taken care of. If anyone in your group has special dietary preferences or requirement, let us know when you are confirming your guest list with us. We are accustomed to such special needs and will plan appropriate repast. If you wish, we will provide appropriate snacks and beverages for morning or afternoon breaks. If you plan a late night work session, we'll make sure you don't go to bed hungry. Our upper floor has a fully equipped kitchen for our guest's convenience. Guest are permitted to bring snacks or we can arrange to fully stock the kitchen with cereals, bread, coffee, tea, fruit, juices and milk. Freedom Escape may feel remote but its not isolated. A good highway system can get you to Asheville which is just 15 minutes away. The Asheville airport has several daily connecting flights from Charlotte or Atlanta and an array of car rental services available. We can arrange transportation to wherever your group might like to go. Our mezzanine, over 800 square feet is a spacious, well lighted are area which can be arranged to your option. It can hold 40-60 people comfortably. The dining room can seat 36 with plenty of elbow room. For very large groups or those requiring more space, our gym's 2000 square feet fills the bill. Often groups prefer to meet in the serenity of the great outdoors which our vast acreage offers. Because of the high rate of repeat business, a good segment of our schedule is often booked a year or more in advance. A portion of our business is seasonal and there are often partial or full weeks open. We occasionally have cancellations. These facts can be used to our mutual advantage inasmuch as many business conferences are only two or three night stays and mid week may not be a problem for you. Just call our Sales Director to arrange a conference. We'll do everything possible to accommodate your schedule needs. Western North Carolina offers a four season climate. Our mild summers and winter not to mention our spectacular fall season has become a hallmark we are known for the world over. Not to be outdone, spring offers the blooming of flowers unequaled in variety and beauty. Check our weather section for more detailed information. On premises, the Lodge has a variety of recreational facilities for your enjoyment. Our gym has a basketball court and shuffle board. Just outside the gym is our outdoor pool and a fenced in tennis court. The gym building contains a kitchen area and rest rooms. The ""Hollow"" is brimming with interesting old buildings: a water-wheel driven grist mill (our adopted logo), a craft house, an old tobacco barn, a blacksmith shop and even an outdoor privy complete with crescent-mooned door. You might even want to challenge your friends in a game volleyball or horseshoes. Fishing is available in our lake. No license in required and some fishing rods are available for our guests to enjoy. Our trails are wonderfully scenic and invigorating. The lake is surrounded by a paved walk way a quarter of a mile long and ideal for joggers. The lake path is lighted at night for those who need to work off excess energy after a hard day's session. If you would like to, we'll take your group on a tractor-pulled ""hay ride"" for a tour of the property. The tour includes a visit to our neighbor's cattle farm. Its not your run of the mill farm. It has miniature horses and donkeys,llamas and even a very friendly camel. Llama treks are also available. Having entertained tour, vacation, and craft groups, we have established an excellent working relationship with and knowledge of the more interesting sites and attractions in North Carolina and the surrounding states. We can organize an interesting day trips of a few hours or a all day excursion, if your agenda permits. We can arrange for your group to go white water rafting, visit a nearby ski resort or a day of golf all within just minuets of the Lodge. Fly fishing lessons can also be provided on site or full 2 1/2 day packages can be arranged complete with guides and the all equipment necessary.
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