Asheville is a very popular area. Hotel rates usually run around $150 plus 18% tax. Beginning around this time of the year, rates go on upward of $200 per night plus tax. I got our group rate at $114 plus tax. Scott got in after cutoff and couldn't get the discount. He's across the street in another hotel. As of tonight, our rooms are going for $161 plus tax.
Every time I have tried to make reservations, regardless of the hotel in NC, the call goes to a central booking agency. It seems like NC has a contract with this booking agency. Initially, this year, I spoke with the same person that I spoke with the last time we stayed in Asheville at Red Roof Inn. This statewide booking agency gives very little discount on groups. People have booked through other sources like travelocity and gotten better rates.
I have always managed to find a way to get direct to the hotel and book directly through them for lower rates than the booking agency discounts.