Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Asheville Downtown Tunnel Road, NC

Guests find an expansive parking area as they drive up to the four-story hotel with a large covered entrance. The hotel's lobby is spacious and inviting, with a sofa and lounge chairs in front of a stone fireplace. Another sofa and chair set in the hallway provides additional space for guests to linger comfortably. Fresh cookies and coffee are available around-the-clock in the lobby, adding to the homey ambience, while the quaint breakfast room has artsy black-and-white photos of outdoor scene on the walls, dark wood furniture, and leather chairs. Guests here are mostly couples and families. 

This hotel is near Interstate 240, just off of busy Tunnel Road and a few minutes' walk from the Asheville Mall. Fast food restaurants and other chain hotels are all around. Despite the hotel's name, downtown Asheville takes five minutes to reach by car. Other major attractions that can be reached by car in less than 10 minutes include historic Biltmore Village, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Grove Park Inn. UNC Asheville is a little more than 10 minutes away, and the Asheville Regional Airport is about a 25-minute drive from the hotel. 

The spacious guest rooms here are extremely sharp for a chain hotel, and feature updated aqua, brown, and tan color schemes. Burnished wood veneer furniture -- like nightstands, desks, and statement headboards -- look sharp against boldly patterned carpets and aqua accent walls. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and phone calls, mini-fridges, microwaves, air-conditioning, and coffeemakers. Rooms with hot tubs are available, as are suites with a separate living area and a sofa bed. Sparkling clean bathrooms feature modern square sinks and lighting plus generous counter space, toiletries, and bathtub/shower combos. Views of the side or top of the building or the street leave a bit to be desired. 

The free Be Our Guest breakfast buffet includes items such as eggs, bacon, cereals, yogurt, waffles, breads, juices, fruits, and coffee. The small indoor pool is heated, and there are a few chairs poolside as well as a hot tub. Towels are provided. A tiny fitness room has two treadmills and an elliptical machine in front of a flat-screen TV above windows looking into the indoor pool. There's also a weight-training machine. A business desk has a computer and printer for guests to use, while a private meeting room can accommodate up to 10 people. On-site laundry facilities are coin-operated. The Read It and Return Lending Library has a variety of books for all ages. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there is ample free parking.