Art, Attitude, and Late Checkouts: Staying at The Radical

If you could bottle up moody neon, rooftop mischief, and a splash of sexy chaos—that’s The Radical.

Tucked into Asheville’s River Arts District like a well-kept secret (but make it Instagrammable), The Radical is unapologetically bold. It’s a little rebellious, a lot romantic, and somehow makes graffiti-covered walls feel intimate.

First Impressions

We walked into the lobby and immediately felt like we were backstage at a rock show, but in a good way. Mismatched velvet furniture, warehouse ceilings, and local art that feels more like protest than decoration. If minimalism is a whisper, The Radical is a love note written in permanent marker.

Check-in was a breeze, and we were handed two drink tokens for the rooftop bar. Yes, please.

The Room

Our room was moody and modern with plush textures, a low-slung bed, and big windows overlooking the district. No generic hotel art here—everything was curated, down to the rebellious little notepad on the nightstand.

There’s no spa tub or soaking tub (sorry, romance traditionalists), but what it lacks in bubbles, it makes up for in ambiance. The lighting was sultry, the linens were luxe, and the vibes? Immaculate.

What We Loved

• The rooftop bar: cocktails with a view, twinkle lights, and just enough buzz to feel flirty

• The playlist throughout the hotel (we swear it knew our mood)

• The effortless mix of comfort and edge

What Was... Interesting

• The room had no closet—just wall hooks and hangers

• There's an intentional unfinished feel—if you like clean lines and symmetry, this ain’t it

• The elevator is a whole art installation on its own (prepare to take selfies)

Our Final Take

If you’re looking for soft beige luxury and spa robes, The Radical may not be your match.

But if you’re into moody lighting, artsy rebellion, and a hotel that feels like your favorite band’s afterparty—you just found your new favorite escape.

Rated: 9.2/10 would return for the rooftop and the stories we’ll never tell.

Siren & StarHot Takes, Sweet Escapes