Wrong Way River Lodge and Cabins brings charming lodging with premium features to West Asheville
West Asheville is home to many restaurants and bars I like to frequent—The Admiral and Jargon immediately come to mind, as well as Dobra Tea and Sunny Point Cafe. But unless you book an Airbnb, staying in West Asheville tends to be generic and modest, at best. However, the addition of Wrong Way River Lodge and Cabins feels like a new page for the district.
Only a few miles from downtown, the Lodge’s sixteen sustainably built A-frame cabins are nestled into the hillside, across from the French Broad River Greenway. It’s surprising it didn’t happen sooner; the location is ideal, but still quiet. Accessible, but out of the jumble of downtown Asheville, the Lodge sports a design that is casual, chic, and charming in a picture-postcard way.
The units are nearly 400 square feet each. The one I stayed in had a king bed with premium residential bedding, a sitting area with a pull-out couch, and a bath. The A-frame construction creates a vaulted ceiling with horizontal wood beams, and a cleverly hand-built bookshelf—staged with locally written novels, board games, a turntable, and vintage records—separates the sleeping area. There is no TV, nor is it missed. Out the back door, a private balcony faces the river, replete with anchor hooks for an ENO hammock, which sits on the bookshelf waiting to be unfurled.
Wrong Way was designed locally by BCA Architecture; interiors followed suit by their team, led by Katherine Winkel. They call the property “Scappalachian” in design, describing it as “marrying the simplicity of Scandinavian design with the mountain warmth of the Appalachians.” Owners Joe Balcken and Shelton Steele are former whitewater guides and have roots in Asheville’s brewing industry. Their leap to hoteliers feels just right, and the attention to detail at Wrong Way is echoed in food and beverage hospitality.
The row of riverfront “cabins,” for lack of a better word, are buttressed by a gorgeous, multi-story lodge filled with natural light and plenty of places to sit and gather. On the main floor, you’ll find the Canteen, a place to get coffee, local beer, wine, snacks, and even outdoor gear. Menu items at the Canteen, including grab-and-go picnics, are produced by chef Ashley Capps and her partner Travis Shultz from New Stock Pantry.
If you want to tube, paddle, or paddleboard, the folks at Wrong Way will jump to get you in the water, but I chose to amble across the street, enjoying the paved paths of the French Broad River Greenway and sitting a spell on its plentiful benches. One block up is a bit of magic if you enjoy traveling like a local. Home Ground Coffee Bar makes an excellent breakfast, and sitting in the backyard menagerie feels insider in the best way. At night, Cascade Lounge will require you to buy an affordable “membership,” and you should. The dive bar is one of a kind, and craft cocktails are priced under $10, each and every one.
Explore Foundy Street in the River Arts District
If you like exploring Asheville and haven’t discovered Foundy Street, staying at Wrong Way Lodge means you’re just around the corner. Abandoned warehouse spaces have been reimagined into studios, shops, restaurants, and public spaces, covered in welcomed graffiti. The Wedge put their second location here as well as 12 Bones and Summit Coffee.
Here are a few other names you might want to know about:
Rosabees
Only open at night, Rosabees is an Instagram darling for good reason: their Hawaiian fare, both savory and sweet, is delicious.
Plēb Urban Winery
This beautifully designed taproom pours local wines made from North Carolina grapes.
Sunnyside Trading Co.
Global gifts, including tribal art, salvage, rugs, and mid-century pieces can be found here.
Foundation and RAD Skatepark
Skater-owned and operated, Foundation Skatepark is outdoors and a blast for hanging out. RAD is Asheville’s only indoor venue.
