The Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville, NC

On what felt like a crisp fall day in the middle of February, I wandered barefoot along the French Broad River as the sun set over Mount Pisgah. The contrast between my morning and afternoon was crystal clear—the utter chaos of scurrying to the airport during New York City rush hour, and the sense of calm that washed over me just a few hours later when I arrived at The Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

The boutique farm resort aims to give guests the space to relax, heal, and ground. And clearly, my bare feet couldn’t have felt more grounded. During my three short days at The Horse Shoe Farm, the property earned a special place in my travel heart. Since its opening in 2018, the family-owned and operated business has become a pillar of the community, and even more so in the wake of Hurricane Helene. After the storm, the property served as a critical home base for the nonprofit organizations Ariel Recovery and Global Empowerment Mission during the first wave of relief efforts, and it also provided meals to the local community.

At the beginning of my stay, the property steward Jordan Turchin told me that one of the greatest luxuries he believes one can have is privacy and a sense of peace. Before moving to Hendersonville to open the hotel, he and his wife Rachel lived in places like New York City and Miami. He’s no stranger to the grind of a big city.

I know it all too well, too—it’s easy to lose yourself in the chaos. The Horse Shoe Farm gave me the space and clarity to take a deep breath, for the first time in what felt like years.

Here’s what it’s like to stay at The Horse Shoe Farm. 

The Rooms

The boutique farm resort has a variety of accommodation types ranging from “estate” homes, two-room cottages, and charming loft suites. In total, the property can host up to 75 people at a time. All the room types are spacious and luxurious, in a quirky, eclectic way.

The Turchin family’s lifelong passion for art and design was evident across all the rooms. Vintage furnishings, global artifacts, and crystal guitars are just a few of the personal touches you may find in your space, each of which has its own unique flair and personality.

I stayed in one of the new Pond Cottages, the Blue Heron Suite. It felt like my personal oasis—I watched the sky and the surrounding mountains in the distance turn a silky pink each evening from the private deck as wind chimes rang in the breeze. Each Pond Cottage also has a freestanding gas fireplace, a rainfall shower, and a deep soaking tub, each of which I enjoyed immensely.

Food and Drink

There is one on-site restaurant at The Horse Shoe Farm is Silo Cookhouse, which offers a modern farm-to-table dining experience and feels like the heart of the farm. The food served here is either grown on the property or sourced from local vendors and farmers in the area. The space is a lounge, a lobby, and a communal dining room all in one.

Dining at Silo is all about intention, purpose, and community. Before my meals, I mentioned that I have Celiac disease to my server and asked about gluten-free options. Almost immediately, chef Dan Williams greeted me at my table and explained that his wife has Celiac, too. He then listed all the items on the menu that could be prepared gluten-free and assured me that the team would take extra precautions to ensure my meal was safely prepared. The above-and-beyond attitude was also reflected in the food—and especially in the banana cheesecake, which I ordered three times.

Meals at Silo are served at family-style tables, which allow for the opportunity to connect with other guests or easily eat with a large group of loved ones. The property calls it a “Modern Farm to Table Dinner Party,” and each night felt as such.

Activities and Experiences

Let’s start with the Pool House. The Farm offers a unique take on the traditional luxury pool experience, with a self-guided hydrotherapy circuit with a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and cold plunge. It’s open year-round, and you can take a dip in the saltwater pool or relax in the hot tub with gorgeous views of Mount Pisgah.

You’ll also find ball fields, basketball courts, bike paths, pickleball, a game room, and areas for yoga and meditation on the property.

My favorite activity, however, was the “Ponder Wander,” a self-guided exploration of the 85-acre farm. There’s a map to help guide your journey that’s inspired by the four elements: water, air, earth, and fire. I’m not going to spoil it all, but you may just come across a meditation labyrinth on your journey.

Guests can also participate in wellness classes, including meditation, yoga, and sound healing. I participated in breath work for the first time with breath work coach and nurse, Rachele Scevola, who hosts sessions for guests. I was new to the practice, and Scevola provided a warm, safe environment to learn in. It’s become a life skill I’ve carried with me since.

Perhaps one of the most underrated (but much appreciated, at least by me) aspects of staying at The Horse Shoe Farm, is that you’re surrounded by animals throughout your stay. I got to pet horses, and spotted chickens and goats around the property.

The Spa

The Stable Spa is a full-service spa operating out of a renovated stable—and getting a treatment here is nothing short of magical. When the temperature permits, guests have the luxury of breathing in that fresh mountain air during their sessions. The spa offers everything from foot therapies to lymphatic massage and intuitive energy therapy, and they use herbs grown on-site during services.

Family-friendly Offerings

The Farm offers a family reunion package, which encourages guests to spend quality time and create new memories with loved ones. With over 85 acres of space to play games and activities, bonfires and s’mores, and morning yoga for the group, each family member is sure to find an activity that speaks to them.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The Field Cottage or Pond Cottages are the most accessible accommodations for wheelchair users. Both the Silo Cookhouse and Stable Spa are also wheelchair accessible. Keep in mind that The Horse Shoe Farm is 85 acres, so driving might be the best way to get around to all the different amenities on-site.

The Horse Shoe Farm strives to have as little impact on the local environment as possible. Produce is sourced from local farms and gardens, and food waste is composted.

Location

Horse Shoe Farm is located in the small town of Hendersonville, which is about 20 miles south (or a 30-minute drive) from Asheville, North Carolina. It’s about 15 minutes from Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), an hour from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in Greer, South Carolina, and two hours from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina. Uber and Lyft do operate in the area, however, since it’s a small town, wait times may be long, and you may have trouble snagging a ride. If you plan to explore the area, your best bet is to rent a car.

Book Now

The Horse Shoe Farm is an independently owned hotel and isn’t a part of any loyalty or travel credit card programs. However, you can often find special offers and discounts on individual, couple, and group stays, in addition to spa packages and seasonal features on their website. Nightly rates at The Horse Shoe Farm start at $389.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.