McKibbon Hospitality opened the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown in the heart of downtown Asheville at the corner of Broadway and College streets in Asheville, N.C. The hotel sits atop a four-story parking deck with 336 spaces and public access, as well as 132 guestrooms, multiple public spaces and European-inspired décor.
The second AC Hotels by Marriott to open in the Carolinas and 21st in the U.S., the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown introduces a new lifestyle hotel concept to Western North Carolina. The project was developed by John McKibbon, chairman of McKibbon Hospitality, who has been conducting business in Asheville for more than 20 years. McKibbon Hospitality collaborated with Doug Stratton of Stratton Design Group in Asheville on the interior design and Brian Bunce of BB+M Architecture on the project’s exterior. McKibbon Hospitality also worked with Winford Lindsay Architects on the project.
“The AC Hotel Asheville Downtown delivers an exciting new option for Asheville visitors to enjoy and simultaneously offers great amenities for locals, which include the hotel’s public spaces, art collection, and locally-inspired food and beverage offerings,” John McKibbon said in a statement. “The hotel strongly aligns with McKibbon Hospitality’s approach to modern hospitality, combining the leading brand elements of AC Hotels with amenities that celebrate the talented culinary and arts communities that make Asheville such an extraordinary destination and place to live.”
The AC Hotel Asheville Downtown's amenities include:
- Capella on 9, a rooftop bar and tapas concept offering daily breakfast and evening cocktails and small plates, including a selection of European-inspired tapas. McKibbon Hospitality partnered with local restaurateur Peter Pollay of Mandara Hospitality Group and Posana, who serves as a consultant for Capella on 9 and the AC Hotel’s food and beverage program;
- A collection of custom paintings, sculptures and hand-blown glass pieces by 10 local and regional artists, which were selected by John McKibbon and sourced by Liz L. Barr, owner of Art Resources in Asheville. The artwork was purchased by John McKibbon and becomes part of McKibbon Hospitality’s art collection;
- 2,000 square feet of meeting space on the ninth floor that can be divided into two separate meeting rooms as well as indoor and outdoor space that can be rented for wedding ceremonies and receptions with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains;
- A lobby with seating for informal meetings and conversations and free Wi-Fi. Guests can also access the AC Library, which offers reading materials and additional space for collaborating.
“We are pleased to bring this unique concept to Asheville and are confident the hotel will serve as a downtown centerpiece for years to come,” Michael Hickerson, GM of the property, said in a statement. “Our team looks forward to welcoming visitors and locals to experience the exciting amenities the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown has to offer.”
The hotel is McKibbon Hospitality’s fourth Asheville hotel in addition to the Aloft Asheville Downtown, Courtyard Asheville and SpringHill Suites Asheville. McKibbon is also currently developing the Hotel Arras and Arras Residences, which are set to open in late 2018 across from the AC Hotel. In total, McKibbon Hospitality’s portfolio consists of 88 hotels across the U.S.