A REVITALIZING RIVERFRONT RESORT

By Heather Turk

Nestled in the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains sits an 85-acre estate on the French Broad River that’s the ultimate respite for those in search of a tranquil getaway: The Horse Shoe Farm.

Located 10 miles from Asheville Regional Airport and only minutes from downtown Hendersonville, The Horse Shoe Farm is a boutique resort unlike any other in North Carolina. The Hendersonville property was originally a working farm that was transformed in 2018 into an upscale farm retreat with a spiritual twist. Run by the Turchin family, who lives on the grounds along with a variety of farm animals, the resort boasts three vacation homes, four cottages and a loft that can be booked individually or combined. Accommodations range from the five-bedroom, five-bath, 4,800-squarefoot Magnolia Manor — which features such luxurious amenities as a hot tub and a porch with rocking chairs to enjoy the stunning mountain views — to the one-bedroom, onebath Farmhouse Loft.

While many notable attractions are located close by, including the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and George Vanderbilt’s historic Biltmore estate, The Horse Shoe Farm has plenty of activities for guests to enjoy that make it hard to leave its breathtaking grounds. Guests can stroll down its walking trails to see an assortment of wildlife, including turkeys, deer, rabbits and white (not albino) squirrels; go catch-and-release fishing in the property’s bass and bluegill fishing ponds; play a game of table tennis or billiards in The Farmhouse game room, and even go for a swim while soaking up gorgeous views of Mount Pisgah at The Pool House. There’s also a spa on property housed in a soulful yet stylish converted barn that offers an array of soothing services, like the 120-minute Bellanina with full body massage that uses a combination of aromatherapy and organic oils to help relax the body.

Farm can check out complimentary mountain bikes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to use on the property on a first-come, first-served basis.

In the evening, guests can feed their soul while watching the sunset at The Silo Cookhouse. The resort’s farm-to-table restaurant hosts threecourse family-style dinner parties where diners feast upon dishes made from only the freshest seasonal ingredients. While menus change nightly, spring favorites include the Braised Lamb Raviolo and the Burrata with asparagus and morel mushrooms. After dinner, guests can continue their serene stay by roasting s’mores over a bonfire.

“There is a magic and energy on the land that we witness time and again,” said Jordan Turchin, steward of The Horse Shoe Farm. “It speaks to the hearts of our guests and allows them to unwind, take a breath and connect. It’s the greatest gift of the farm, and visitors feel the shift upon entering the gates of this luxurious, bucolic oasis. I know that type of guest experience is unparalleled in the region.” thehorseshoefarm.com