I’m a sucker for a girlfriend’s getaway. After the hustle and bustle of my daily life, I always up for relaxing with my friends. If you are in need of a Girlfriend’s Getaway, Charlottesville, Virginia is the place to be. There’s history, wineries, and an amazing food scene. Whether you’re in town for a romantic weekend, a college tour, a family vacation or just hanging out with friends, I’ve found four wonderful accommodation options.
The Clifton Inn– With only 17 rooms, the Clifton Inn, former home of Thomas Mann Randolph, the son in law of Thomas Jefferson, is a boutique luxury inn. I stayed in the Honeymoon Cottage directly behind the main house, which was once used as an office for Mr. Randolph. The cozy 305 square foot room features the charm of the past with the painted brick walls, high beamed ceiling and pine floors, along with the amenities of the present. The large bathroom, which includes a claw foot tub, is separated from the main room by french doors and a wall of floor to ceiling windows. It’s a short walk to the main house for the complimentary breakfast of fruit, yogurt and mini baked goods, but affords a good bit of privacy.
I love great meals and took advantage of a meal at the Chef’s table. It was a fun experience, watching the chef work while he answered questions about the ingredients. They believe in the local farm to table movement and making their dishes from scratch. I recommend trying the Sticky Toffee Pudding with Ice Cream for dessert. We’re still trying to discover the recipe for this one! A complimentary afternoon tea with individual pots of herb teas, a sandwich and other goodies was served in the drawing-room, giving us a peaceful retreat from the cold, rainy weather outside. There are over 100 acres to explore, including a lake, infinity pool, hot tub, croquet field and hiking trails. The property is located a short distance from Miche’s Tavern, Monticello and Ash Lawn-Highland. Insider Tip: During the offseason rooms can be found for as low as $129 a night. This inn is good for romantic retreats and girlfriend getaways.
Residence Inn Downtown— Want to be in the heart of the action? This new hotel, opened in April 2016, is located in the center of downtown. You can walk across the street to the Downtown Mall or take a short stroll to the University. Each suite includes a fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances, one to two bedrooms and baths, and a separate living space. Studio rooms are also available. I was impressed with the amount of space and extra touches including in each suite. There were shelves to hold towels, large closet spaces and of course, free high-speed wi-fi.
Want to relax? The hotel includes a state of the art fitness center- watch your own tv on the treadmills!- an indoor salt water pool, and outdoor entertaining spaces. Each morning you can treat yourself to the free breakfast, included with your stay. Their breakfast bar is impressive; with a make your own waffle bar, make your own yogurt parfait bar, and a make your own oatmeal bar. There’s also traditional choices of yogurt, fruit, toast and pastries, plus hot breakfast choices that change daily. One of my favorite amenities was the complimentary grocery delivery service. How easy is it to let the staff know what you’d like and have it waiting in the fridge when you return to your room? A coffee and tea bar is available 24 hours a day and there’s a happy hour from 5 PM to 6 PM serving free beer, wine and soft drinks. Although this hotel is in the center of downtown, I was in a room facing the parking lot and didn’t hear much noise. If you prefer no noise, I suggest getting an interior room. This hotel is great for families, business travelers, and of course, girlfriend getaways.
The Graduate— Do you need to be close to the University of Virginia or downtown? The Graduate is a funky mix of old and new, with rooms designed to give that collegiate feel. Think about a cabinet with silhouettes, trophy lamps and black and white tiled bathroom floors. Each room has a Wahoo fish, a tribute to the University of Virginia, hanging over the bed. But there’s a definite nod to comfort, with comfortable beds, ample space and luxury shower products. The hotel has valet parking only, at a cost of $7 per day, but the service is open 24 hours a day and the hotel is within walking distance to several area restaurants and the University.
If you are traveling with kids or teens, they will enjoy the game room with shuffleboard, foosball and ping pong. While I didn’t take along any pets, the Graduate is pet-friendly but there is a small additional fee per day. For breakfast stop by the Sheepdog Cafe, featuring Coffee Drinks, cocoa, muffins and pastries. The free wi-fi is a major plus for me. Insider Tip: The Graduate is within walking distance of The Virginian, Charlottesville’s oldest restaurant. It’s a great place to stay for families, girlfriend getaways, and for college students and their families visiting for campus tours.
The Townsman Hotel– Want to be in the center of the action but still have privacy? The Townsman Hotel is the place to be. It’s hidden in a historic building on the Downtown (Pedestrian) Mall, located between a restaurant and a comic book store. (Seriously, it’s so well hidden that two Charlottesville residents stopped to help us and they had never heard of the Townsman!) With only four rooms, the Townsman prides itself on being a boutique hotel. The concept of this hotel is unique. You will never see hotel staff! Check-in is at 4 PM. You are given a code that will open the front door and a separate code to open the door to the room. To be located in the mall, it is surprisingly quiet. I didn’t hear any noise from the mall or the street behind me.
The first-floor landing has a complimentary coffee bar, along with a fridge stocked with water. Free wi-fi is available in all the rooms. I was impressed with the different theme of each room. I stayed in the “Meriweather,” a room with a ‘modern Southern’ ambience. Although the decor was chic and soothing, I loved the extra touches to make it homey, like the throw draped over the chair, beckoning me to sit down and curl up with a good book. This hotel is great for a romantic retreat or a girlfriend’s getaway. Insider Tip: This is a historic building so there is no elevator. You will have to take your luggage up one to two flights of stairs to reach your room. It’s not handicapped accessible.
Planning a trip to Charlottesville? Be sure to check out these posts: 4 Must-Visit Historic Sites, Girlfriend’s Getaway ideas, Must Try Restaurants in Charlottesville and The Monticello Artisan Trail.
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You found some really great hotels. It is nice that you have such an eclectic group to chose from. There is everything from city chic to a country charmer. I need to visit Charlotesville soon.
I never heard of Charlottesville before. I was just telling my friend I would love to visit Virginia and this hotel looks super comfy.
I would love to visit Charlottesville. This is just my kind of vacation right there. The place looks so serene. The Clifton Inn would be my go to place to unwind and recharge.
Of all these places you’ve mentioned, I think the one I would love to have a vacation in would be the Clifton Inn. It looks like I am going to guaranteed a nice, quiet vacation with good food of course.
My mind was imagining how beautiful the Honeymoon Cottage was as I was reading your post. I would definitely book a stay there if I got to travel to Charlottesville. What a beautiful place and the scenery is awesome.
I would love to get the time to go up to Charlottesville and stay for a bit. If I do, I think I would personally want to stay in The Clifton Inn.
We may be in that area this Summer. I will have to check these places out to stay.
Charlottesville is nearby, but we have never been, I would love to take the kids over for the weekend.
We went near this town recently and loved how beautiful it was. I will have to keep this in mind next time around!
My daughter is starting to look at colleges so I will keep this post for when we take our southern tour. The Clifton Inn has so much history.
Very tidy room. We haven’t been to Charlottesville but it looks like a great place to visit.
Never been to Charlottesville myself but love traveling and would love to be able to stop in someday. Looks lovely.
I have never been to Charlottesville. I think it’s a nice place to vacation in especially if you want some peace and quiet. I’ll be sure to check this out!
These are great suggestions! Saving this for next time Charlottesville, Virginia!
The Clifton Inn looks absolutely amazing! It is everything I picture that area to look like!
It’s been a long time since I have been to Virginia, but I would love to take my daughter back there soon. She is in the fifth grade and just learning about all of that historical stuff. It’s the perfect time.
Next time I visit Charlotte I will know there to stay! What great accommodations!
I love Virginia! It’s been ages since my last trip and I would love to get down there again soon. Thanks for the reco in Charlottesville!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
All of these look like wonderful recommendations for accommodations in Charleston!
As a Charlottesville area resident for nearly 18 years (escapee from the DC beltway!), I can assure you that it truly is a wonderful and beautiful place to visit! And I, too, never have heard of the Townsmen Hotel (learned something new!) on the Downtown Mall (pedestrian mall)! So many great places at which to stay – & the Clifton Inn definitely is one of them.
I have never been to Charlottesville but now I know where to stay if I do visit. These look like some awesome little Inns.
I have yet to travel to Virginia, but would happily stay at any of these wonderful places. The Clifton Inn is especially cool given its history.
I could definitely stay in a nice place like this. I will have to tell my friend who travels a lot for business
That looks really sweet. If I ever get up to Charlottesville, I will have to look them up. I love a nice hotel.
They all look like somewhere I’d like to stay but I really need to get there and visit!
I think the Residence Inn Downtown sounds like a good choice for me on a low key getaway. Being close to the city would be perfect.
I’ve only drove through Virginia once, but it is such a charming state. I’d love to go back and really see the area. Charlottesville seems like a great play to relax!
This looks like a great place to stay. I love clean and spacious the rooms look to be.
I’ve never been to Virginia, but it looks like these are all great options. Nice to be able to choose between something like a cottage and larger hotels too. Would love to visit Virginia sometime with my family.
I used to visit Virginia a lot when I was a kid. We used to go on vacation here often. I don’t remember where we stayed, but if I take my kids here, I will try one of these suggestions.
I have never been to Charlottesville or Virginia – I know! I live in a bubble in Canada. I really want to do more traveling. Hopefully when the little guy is a bit older. These places sound so wonderful!!!
I have never been to Virginia but if I get there I will definitely save these places to stay! I really like how lovely they all look.
These places are exactly my taste in hotels! I always prefer the quaint, boutique hotels over the big chains! Looks like great choices 🙂
Thanks for these great ideas! We love traveling as a family and I am always looking for something interesting to add to our travels, these all look great!
That would be a lovely little getaway vacation spot. I’ve never been to Virginia, but it looks like a wonderful place!
The residence Inn sounds like they have an amazing food bar…and also a grocery delivery? How different and unique! I have never been to Virginia, but some of these places you’ve listed, sounds like an amazing place
This is a great resource. All of these hotels look like excellent choices if you’ll be in the Charlottesville area.
Townsman Hotel looks like the perfect place for me and my family. I love all those clean lines, but it still looks super cozy.
The Clifton Inn looks great! It’s totally my speed. I love staying in old school places like that.
Looks like a very beautiful area and the accommodations look and sound really nice. The area is very pretty and would make a great get away for anyone to visit.
After all your posts, I am dying to go to Charlottesville! It sounds like such a charming southern town.