We stayed at the Firehouse Inn during an anniversary trip in May and had a great time. There's not much I can add about the building from what others have said, but it is a fascinating place and certainly is different from perhaps any other lodging house out there. We would definitely recommend staying in the Firehouse Suite if it's available for your dates. The room is huge and elegantly appointed, with a bathroom bigger than our bedroom here at home. Heck, even the vault-turned-closet is oversized.
We had great interactions with the staff we met and the other folks who joined us for breakfast, which was delicious each morning.
The only caution we would offer is to know what you're getting before you come. We loved the place, but others might not enjoy some parts of it. For instance, it's in downtown Rutherfordton, which is far from a happening place. In fact, it's pretty dog-gone sleepy, but that's great if you're looking for a place to relax that's near things to do like Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. As for our warning on the building, it is a historic property and there are some signs of age, both in the structure and some of the furniture and fixtures. Additionally, the creaky, wooden floor remains, which is quaint during the day but becomes something of a disturbance at night when someone has to make the lengthy hike to the bathroom.
Overall, this was one of the best places we've ever stayed and is certainly a gem in this area!
