Geneva Riverside Lodging and Tiki Bar and Grill in Lake Lure NC
Get a great night’s sleep—and support a local business—by staying at the Geneva Riverside Lodging and Tiki Bar and Grill in Lake Lure, NC!
When I visited Rutherford County, North Carolina, with my daughter and my dad, we settled in for a few nights' stay at the Geneva Riverside Motel.
I’m happy to report that it is budget friendly, conveniently located, and one of the best places to stay in Lake Lure.
The wide variety of accommodation types means this motel is a great choice for everyone from couples to larger family reunions.
The onsite Tiki Bar and Grill ensures that you won’t go hungry at any time of the day or night.
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Rutherford County Tourism provided a room for me. All opinions are my own.
Buy Local, Stay Local, Eat Local
As mentioned in my favorite things to do in Lake Lure NC post, there aren't any franchises of any kind allowed in the area.
I was pleased as could be with this information, as I prefer to support local businesses whenever I can.
The Geneva Riverside Lodging and Tiki Bar and Grill provides service in that same vein.
Welcome to the Geneva Riverside!
While the owners aren’t consistently onsite, the managers live on the property and are available 24 hours a day no matter what you might need.
How's that for some service?!
Out behind the motel is the famed Tiki Bar and Grill, which has been serving up sandwiches, cocktails, and comfort food to locals and visitors alike for decades.
Geneva Riverside Motel is conveniently located about a mile from Lake Lure and just a few minutes from Chimney Rock State Park.
In fact, you can see Chimney Rock from the Geneva Riverside parking lot on a clear day!
Accommodations at Geneva Riverside Motel
There are a wide variety of accommodation options at the Geneva Riverside.
Over the last few years, the motel has gotten quite the refurbishment, which means that the rooms are now even more comfortable with more modern touches.
For couples, single travelers, and small families, there are standard motel rooms with king or queen bed layouts.
You can also opt for the 1 bedroom apartment, or one of the studios.
My dad, my daughter, and I stayed in the two bedroom house for the duration of our visit.
I'm not exaggerating at all when I tell you that the house at 1900 square feet is larger than my first townhouse!
Tour of the 2 Bedroom House at the Geneva Riverside
The 2 bedroom house next to the office
When you walk into the two bedroom house at the Geneva Riverside, you're greeted by a sitting room, complete with a fireplace.
Just past the sitting area is a small wet bar, a huge kitchen, and a dining room with seating for six at the table plus four more at the eat-in kitchen counter.
Upstairs are two bedrooms--one with a California king, and the other with two double beds--and two ensuite bathrooms.
My favorite part of the entire apartment was the double decker balconies that are attached to the back.
They overlook the pool and the tiki bar, and you get great views of the Rocky Broad River flowing behind the property.
Best of all are the amazing views of Chimney Rock, which is practically in your backyard when you stay here!
The owners' apartment is available for rental year-round and can easily fit up to 8 people.
You could place 2 people in the master bedroom, 4 in the second bedroom, and another 2 on the sleeper sofa in the sitting room.
If you had an even bigger family or group of friends, you can also rent out room 15A, a standard room that has access to the sitting room through a shared door, and add 2 more guests to your gathering.
Grab a Bite at the Tiki Bar and Grill
Geneva Riverside Tiki Bar and Grill
As an added bonus to your stay at the Geneva Riverside, the Tiki Bar and Grill out back is open every single day of the year other than Thanksgiving and Christmas Day...but, as the head bartender told me, "If people wanted to come out then, we'd open for them!"
My dad and I both had Cuban sandwiches and fries from the bar, and they was to die for.
I love a good Cuban, and this one was one of the best I've ever had: delicious pulled pork, loads of pickles, melted cheese, and mustard.
YUM.
Post-Covid, the Tiki Bar and Grill is running a limited menu with favorites like burgers, hot dogs, onion rings, and chicken wings.
We’re looking forward to the full menu again soon, but, in the meantime, grab a juicy cheeseburger and enjoy chatting with the other patrons.
>> Explore my favorite mountain towns in North Carolina for a family vacation! <<
The Geneva Riverside is Great Year Round
While I was there, there were only a few locals coming in for a hamburger or beer, but the manager said that the vibe of the Geneva changes with the seasons.
Come summer, it's completely packed! The Geneva Riverside was sold out every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day this year.
That’s when you’ll find kids playing in the pool, locals hanging out at the bar, and tourists heading out to see the sites.
NOTE: Because of the set up of the motel room and the pool/bar, I could see that the noise from the public areas might interfere with those who want to turn in early on busy nights. However, we did not have any issues with road noise or other guests.
During the fall and winter, the Geneva slows down but never closes.
They're only one of two motels in the area that stay open 365 days a year, which makes it perfect for a quiet getaway or quick family trip during school vacations.
The property's been there since the early 1950s and is named after the original owner's wife.
Over the years, it's changed hands a few times, and there have been many additions, the most recent being the apartments on either end of the property.
If you’re looking for a clean, comfortable, and convenient place to stay that has a bit of old school charm, you won’t do better than the Geneva Riverside Lodging and Tiki Bar and Grill!
When you head up to Lake Lure, book a room at the Geneva Riverside for an authentic, home-grown stay.
Tell them that Cosmos Mariners sent you!
Do you like staying at locally owned hotels and motels like the Geneva Riverside?
