The Princess Anne Hotel

A peaceful neighborhood, covered porches, trees swaying in the gentle breeze and, in the midst of it, the three-story Princess Anne Hotel commands a quiet corner with style and grace.

The Princess Anne has a history, but it doesn’t flaunt the past. It only whispers…a hint here, a nudge there. The Award-winning preservationist Howard Stafford and his wife Jen Tracy bought the property in 2003 and Howard spent the next two years in renovation. The hotel has a contemporary flair, while being traditionally anchored. You won’t find a doily or floral wall coverings here!

Built in 1924 by local nurse Anne O’Connell and financed by Doctor Karl Von Ruck, the Inn offered respite for the families of patients in Dr Von Ruck’s sanatorium close by. Nurse Anne was so beloved by her patients; they began calling her Princess, a name that has endured.

Future plans include wine tasting dinners with some of Asheville’s great chefs in the beautiful dining room.

Anne sold the hotel in 1929, but it stayed in business through the Depression with a succession of owners. One interesting owner was the father of Johnny Mercer, writer of the classic melody “Moon River”. It was briefly a hospital annex, then a boarding house specializing in retirement accommodations promising “Gracious Living for Senior Citizens.”

	The Princess Anne is home to 16 guest rooms. The living area of one of the third floor suites is shown above.
“There are so many stories, so many people, so many lives have travelled through these walls. It is always great to hear those stories and know that we are part of the continuum by bringing the building back to life.” ~Howard Stafford

Howard loves bringing historical properties back to life. He has been involved in thirty renovations since coming to Asheville in 1989 and has found that a hotel such as The Princess Anne has far-reaching roots. “Through all of its history since opening in the roaring 20s,” Howard says, “we continue to hear stories from people who are connected to it, whether it was a relative who lived here when it was a retirement home or a brother who was the cook.” 

Howard credits his outstanding staff and the broad appeal of the hotel for its success. The Princess Anne seems resolute on her path of evolution, from the roaring 20s through the Great Depression and through a succession of caretakers and incarnations. Thoughtfully restored to her current state and lovingly maintained, the Princess Anne seems to have finally come into her own.