Families favor slower trips and Asheville stays in 2026

Families are leaning into slower, more flexible vacations in 2026, with Asheville emerging as a fit thanks to its mix of mountain scenery, downtown attractions and all-suite hotels. The shift is helping properties like Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown appeal to parents who want easier mornings, short drive times and more room to relax.

Why it matters: - Family travel is moving toward unhurried itineraries that leave room for rest, cultural stops and last-minute changes. - That shift favors destinations where nature, dining and attractions sit close together. - Hotels with two-room suites, breakfast and central locations are becoming more appealing to parents planning around children’s needs.

What happened: - The Hilton 2025 Trends Report found that 25% of global travelers now prioritize slow travel experiences built around cultural immersion, flexible pacing and relaxation. - The same report found that 70% of parents choose destinations based on their children’s specific needs and want accommodations that simplify mornings and provide downtime. - Asheville is one of the places benefiting from that demand because visitors can pair the Blue Ridge Parkway with downtown stops and nearby attractions. - The Blue Ridge Parkway drew more than 16.7 million recreational visitors in 2024, according to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, and remained the most visited unit of the National Park System. - Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown is promoting its downtown location at 192 Haywood Street as a family-friendly base for this style of travel.

The details: - The Blue Ridge Parkway connects to the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate, the North Carolina Arboretum, the Grove Arcade and the River Arts District. - The hotel is steps from Harrah's Cherokee Center and within walking distance of downtown restaurants. - Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown offers two-room suites with separate bedroom and living areas. - The property includes a free made-to-order breakfast each morning. - The hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Soprana Rooftop Cucina, is Michelin-recommended. - The hotel’s family-friendly positioning centers on short drive times between the Parkway and downtown Asheville. - The property has 188 suites. - The building includes 7,000 square feet of event space. - The Blue Ridge Ballroom accounts for 4,700 square feet of that event space. - Guest suites include 55-inch Smart TVs, ergonomic workspaces and wet bars. - The hotel also has an indoor pool. - The fitness center includes Precor cardiovascular machines, Peloton bikes and free weights. - Food and beverage operations include the ground-floor E’Terie.

Between the lines: - Asheville is being framed less as a single-destination stop and more as a flexible hub for families who want both outdoor access and urban convenience. - The hotel’s suite layout and on-site dining address the main friction points in family travel: morning logistics, meal planning and space for downtime. - The rise of slow travel suggests families are prioritizing comfort and adaptability over packed sightseeing schedules.

What's next: - More family travelers are likely to keep favoring destinations that reduce transit time between activities and lodging. - Hotels that combine suite-style rooms, breakfast and central access may continue to gain share with parents planning multistop trips. - Asheville’s appeal should remain tied to its mix of parkway access, landmark attractions and downtown walkability.

The bottom line: - In 2026, family vacation planning is tilting toward slower, easier trips, and Asheville’s mix of scenery, attractions and all-suite lodging fits that trend.**