Asheville, North Carolina

Perched on the rolling slopes of Sunset Mountain overlooking Asheville, the Omni Grove Park Inn has stood for more than a century as one of the South’s most iconic resorts. Construction began in 1912 under the vision of Edwin Wiley Grove. Grove was a self-made millionaire who had built his fortune in patent medicines, most notably Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic. Grove believed deeply in the health benefits of clean air and mountain living, and he sought to create a luxury retreat that embodied both comfort and natural beauty.

The inn officially opened on July 12, 1913. Built from massive granite boulders quarried directly from Sunset Mountain, the building’s rustic yet grand design reflected the American Arts and Crafts movement. Architect Fred L. Seely, Grove’s son-in-law, oversaw the construction, and remarkably, the entire project was completed in less than a year. The hotel quickly became a haven for statesmen, writers, and celebrities, attracting guests like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and multiple U.S. presidents.

Throughout its history, the Grove Park Inn has adapted to the times. During World War II, it was leased to the U.S. government and used as an internment site for Axis diplomats. It later served as a rest and rehabilitation center for returning servicemen. Following decades of growth and restoration, the hotel became part of the Omni brand in 2013, ensuring that its legacy of grandeur and hospitality continues well into the modern era.

Paranormal Claims

Among the inn’s many stories, one has stood out for generations—the tale of the Pink Lady. Described as a graceful, luminous figure dressed in flowing pink, she is said to haunt the area near Room 545. Guests and staff alike have reported seeing her appear as a soft, rose-colored mist or a full apparition, sometimes walking the halls, other times lingering near the balcony of the Palm Court Atrium.

The origins of the legend trace back to the 1920s, when a young woman reportedly fell to her death from the fifth floor to the atrium below. Accounts differ as to whether she was a hotel guest, a socialite, or perhaps the companion of a married businessman. Some versions of the story suggest she leapt intentionally; others claim it was an accident. Her identity has never been conclusively verified, but the spirit she left behind seems to have an unmistakable presence.

Reports of paranormal activity have continued for decades. Guests staying in or near Room 545 have described doors opening and closing on their own, lights flickering, and objects being moved. Many claim to feel a sudden drop in temperature or an overwhelming sense of calm and warmth, rather than fear, which would suggest that the Pink Lady is a benevolent spirit. Children have been said to wake in the night laughing at a “friendly lady in pink” who sits by their bed. Some guests have even left small pink trinkets behind as offerings of goodwill to the mysterious presence. Housekeeping staff have told stories of encountering a smiling woman in a rose-colored gown who vanishes when spoken to, while others mention the scent of perfume lingering in empty rooms.

Legacy

Today, the Omni Grove Park Inn stands as both a historical landmark and a living legend. Its granite walls have seen over a century of guests seeking rest, inspiration, and—perhaps—a glimpse of something beyond the ordinary. Whether or not one believes in the ghostly Pink Lady, there’s no denying the sense of timeless energy that permeates the halls, blending the elegance of the past with the quiet hum of something unseen.

Beneath its grand stone arches and roaring fireplaces, the Grove Park Inn remains what it has always been: a place where the past lingers gently in the air, and where history and mystery meet beneath the glow of the Blue Ridge Mountains.