Spotlight on Business

SPOTLIGHT on Business Ashley Inn: a warm, quiet holiday venue

The lobby of The Ashley Inn in Cascade is always decked-out for Christmas, and 2020 will be no exception. Holiday decor goes up early in November. (Courtesy photo)

By Sandy Jones

I hear it so often: “Our women’s retreat will be at The Ashley Inn this year!” The ladies know how beautiful and serene The Ashley Inn is, but did you know that the holidays are an extra special time at “the Inn”?

When asked what her favorite thing is about the holidays at The Ashley Inn, Katrin, who owns the Inn with her husband Ashley, responds, “My personal favorite about Christmas and the Inn is the idea of sitting quietly in the lobby with the fireplace roaring, instrumental music softly playing Christmas carols...maybe add the snow falling gently outside.

“‘Be still and know that I am God.’ It’s so hard to get time to really let God’s words settle on you. It’s too easy to be distracted. In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, it’s nice to have a few days of quiet before getting all the presents bought, decorations up and dinners cooked!

“We decorate the Inn the second week of November so that guests have more time to relish that quiet spirit before the hectic pace of the holidays.”

Decorating The Ashley Inn in the Spirit of Christmas is no small feat either. Lifelong friends, new friends and family members all come together each year to decorate the Inn – and not just the lobby. Visitors could spend hours wandering the halls, enjoying all the wonderful decorations and specialty prints.

If you’re looking for a special gift, be sure and check out the wonderful treasures that are on display starting in the Cascade Room and overflowing throughout the hallways. Covid didn’t rain on this parade – Katrin assures us that they have a full inventory of special treasures for most anyone on your list.

You’ll find someone at the front desk 24/7 who is eager to help out. The Ashley Inn offers a big breakfast buffet each morning, and freshly baked cookies served at 8 p.m. each evening.

While spring and summer are fun times at the Inn, the area offers much to do in the fall and winter months as well. Visitors can register to take a wagon or sleigh ride to feed elk or play in the snow, or go skiing, snowboarding, or take the kids sledding! Bring your snowmobiles – they have plenty of room to park your truck and trailer. Don’t have snowmobiles, but would love to go? You can find rental contacts at theashleyinn.com. Play all day and then go back to your beautiful room, complete with white cozy robes and your own fireplace.

After you’re rested up and have gotten your second wind, you could wander down to the 24-hour indoor pool and whirlpool spa, or work off those cookies in the workout room. Or circle back to the Cascade Room, where you had that wonderful breakfast, to play games or simply gather with friends.

Just 75 miles north of Boise, The Ashley Inn is a great get-away for a couple or a family, or a wonderful destination for a family reunion, wedding, meeting or a corporate event. The ladies already know it’s the perfect location for a ladies’ retreat! (Psssst – ask them about their mid-week group discounts.)

Learn more at www.theashleyinn.com