Step Inside Hendersonville’s Oldest Inn: 1898 Waverly Inn
Some places don’t just welcome you — they remember you. In downtown Hendersonville, 1898 Waverly Inn has been doing just that since 1898. With its historic charm, hearty breakfasts, and inviting front porch, the inn offers more than a place to stay — it offers connection, comfort, and the kind of hospitality that makes every guest feel like family.
A Journey Back Home
For Mike Burnette, purchasing the Waverly Inn was a return to his roots. Originally from Western North Carolina, Mike grew up in Asheville, spent time in Mills River, and moved away for thirty years, but Hendersonville always felt like home.
When he randomly came across the inn for sale online in 2015, it felt like fate. Alongside his wife Tracey, Mike has spent more than a decade carefully stewarding the inn, overseeing every detail of its operation while keeping its historic integrity intact.
Honoring History, Embracing Comfort
The Waverly Inn is the oldest continuously operating inn in Hendersonville, founded by two sisters at the turn of the century as travelers arrived by train. Over the decades, it has weathered world wars, the Great Depression, Hurricane Helene, and even COVID, yet it continues to thrive — welcoming about 4,000 guests each year.
Mike and Tracey have preserved the inn’s original design and furnishings, while blending in modern amenities. Guests enjoy the comfort of mini splits for heating and cooling, free Wi-Fi, and DirecTV — all without losing the warmth and charm that make the Waverly feel like home.
Gathering Around the Table
Hospitality here is most tangible around the table. The inn’s breakfast has been praised by national and regional publications, and it’s consistently the feature that guests remember most. Evenings bring a different kind of gathering: from five to six, visitors enjoy complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres during happy hour. In warm weather, the porch buzzes with conversation; in cooler months, the parlor becomes a cozy hub for connection.
As Mike puts it, the goal is simple: “To create an experience that feels like guests are staying with family… good Southern hospitality, good Blue Ridge Mountain hospitality, treating people as if they are family coming to stay with you.”
The Heart of the Waverly Experience
Every detail at the Waverly Inn reflects gratitude — for history, for community, and for the people who pass through its doors. From the gleaming woodwork and century-old staircase to the laughter on the front porch and the aroma of a freshly prepared breakfast, every moment invites guests to pause, savor, and feel welcome.
1898 Waverly Inn isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a home that endures, a connection that lingers, and a reminder of the joy and warmth found in Hendersonville.
