We stayed at the Beaufort House Inn during Thanksgiving week and really enjoyed it. The room was comfortable and quiet and we both slept really well. The breakfasts are sensational, something different from the chef each day, and all the dishes were imaginative and delicious.
There's a nice porch which would be a great place to hang out, read a book and meet other guests, but in the colder months there's not really much space inside to do that - the main floor of the house is mostly given over to dining,
The location is about a 15-20 minute walk from downtown, which is great, although parts of the walk felt a little sketchy at night.
Overall, a very charming and enjoyable base from which to explore Asheville.