Where I stay when I travel is really important to me, partly because of location and partly because it roots my experience in local flavor. When choosing between hotels in Charlottesville VA, an area rich in history, that local flavor is especially important. I feel the same way when visiting New Orleans, Charleston and Savannah among other cities.
Fortunately, I had the chance to soak up plenty of the regional charm and hospitality on my recent visit to Charlottesville, and both of the Charlottesville hotels/inns I stayed at were wonderful.
Where to Stay: Hotels in Charlottesville VA
My accommodations were provided courtesy of Visit Charlottesville.
Clifton Inn – Charlottesville
Set in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Clifton Inn, one of the few Relais & Chateaux properties in the U.S., blends southern charm, hospitality, history, fine dining and luxury in a beautiful countryside setting guests will never forget.
Originally built by Thomas Mann Rudolph (Thomas Jefferson’s son-in-law) as an office, it remained a private residence until 1985 when the current owners opened it as a bed and breakfast, later adding additional guest rooms and a fine dining restaurant. The inn is located close to the heart of Charlottesville and the presidential estates, so it’s plugged in without feeling even remotely citified.
I had the pleasure of staying in the Thomas Mann Rudolph suite in the main house (there are also three cottages on site,) and the elegant period architecture and furnishings were beautifully appointed. The bedroom and sitting area step down into an old-fashioned bathroom with both a claw foot tub and modern stand-up shower.
If you have the chance, The Clifton Inn serves a lovely afternoon tea in the parlor each day. The ginger twist was simply divine.
Guests will enjoy a daily continental breakfast with their stay, and there’s a garden, tennis courts and a swimming pool on the grounds. Upon checking out, guests receive a special surprise – a box of chocolate chip cookies. How sweet is that?!
More on Clifton Inn: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
The Graduate Hotel – Charlottesville
What could be more fun than staying in a hotel that makes you remember the exuberance and optimism of university life? The vintage collegiate decor was planned paying careful attention to the city of Charlottesville and what makes it unique, and half the fun of staying there was discovering all the interesting surprises and special touches.
Located on the historic main street and directly across from the University of Virginia, it offers convenient access to restaurants, galleries and shopping. It also has a cute little coffee shop directly off the lobby.
More on Graduate Charlottesville:Website | Facebook | Instagram |
Residence Inn – Downtown Charlottesville
We took a sneak peek walk-through prior to the opening of the Residence Inn in downtown Charlottesville, and it’s gorgeous! With an amazing location near the downtown mall and oodles of restaurants, it’s definitely one of the Charlottesville hotels you should consider.
More on Residence Inn Charlottesville Downtown: Website
Which of these Charlottesville hotels/inns would most appeal to you? Have you been to Charlottesville before?
Comments & Reviews
Count me in for a visit to Charlotteville!! Any of these accomodations look fabulous. I love to travel and have never been to this area!
They all look great, but the Graduate Hotel sounds super cool.
Charlottesville sounds like such a great place to visit. Now I know where to stay when I get down there 🙂
I would LOVE to stay at the Clifton Inn. That claw foot bathtub is calling my name! I love the antiques as well,
Wow! They look like great options. I’m definitely putting Charlottesville on my travel bucket list. I love the history of it all.
All of these hotels look great!! I love the historical pieces in the hotel!
Love the pictures, certainly seems like a curious place to visit and stay at. More descriptions would be helpful. For example if there’s a story behind the binoculars or the fish, or other interesting pieces in the residences.
These all look lovely! The Clifton Inn in particular looks so charming.
The Residence Inn looks so beautiful! I must say though, that the continental breakfast at Clifton Inn is so charming and simple. Love it.
Those are some nice looking hotels. I love the hotels that historical looking. I think they’re very beautiful! I’d love to stay at any of those hotels.
Those are gorgeous hotels. I love all of the amenities that come with new construction, but there’s so much to offer from a place that is seeped in local history.
What a great list of places to stay in VA. Looks like they have quite the variety available.
The afternoon tea looks delightful! Your photos are a perfect view of each of the hotels.
Clifton Inn looks gorgeous! Completely full of Southern charm and that is the best to find when you are traveling!
What a kick Liz! I’m loving the Clifton Inn. I love history and I think that Inn speaks volumes!
I am with you on that – it is just so so beautiful I would love to spend a time looking around. x
Oh my goodness, how awesome. You know, when I travel I look for either huge and elegant or small with charm and this one meets that perfectly. I totally need to check this out. Thanks so much for sharing.
Oh man it look amazing here. I’ve never been to VA and tbh it’s on my list of places to visit since I have friends there. Just haven’t made it yet.
What a beautiful place! This is like what you see in the movies. So classic! I hope to visit there one day.
That’s really smart of you to compile a list like this. all of those hotels look really awesome, I would stay at any of them.
I live about 30 minutes away from Charlottesville and visit often. Aren’t the historic hotels awesome? I just love all of the history!
Wow, I love all of the vintage and classic details of that hotel! Gorgeous!
I’ve never been to Charlottesville and all of these hotels look wonderful. But if I had to choose one, I would love to stay at The Graduate Hotel…so fun and different from the average hotel.
Thanks for your tips! When we plan a trip there we’ll look back at this post 😉
This looks like an amazing place to stay. Thanks for sharing such a fabulous looking place.
It looks super cosy, I love the interior, especially the details.
I’m always fascinated by the charm and history of the traditional US inns and The Clifton Inn looks bathed in history and would be my first choice. I’ve never been to the US but have visited Canada a few times, Charlottesville looks lovely.
Great place, it’s very welcoming as it looks like a high house more than a hotel 🙂
This looks like a great place to stay and the town looks so charming! Thank you for sharing it with us!
OMG the rooms look so cozy and I love the building of the first one! Plus, the breakfast looks super yummy. Great post!
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This looks like a place to put on the map. I love staying at inns so I would go with the Clifton Inn personally.
Location is key for me as well. However I also enjoy a place with personality. All of those things are part of the experience.
Roundups like this for small towns are my favorite, because it really gives a look at the local places to stay. Character is the way to go!
We just returned from Virginia and stayed at a Comfort Suites Glen Allen. There’s an ALoft in Short Pump that’s really nice to. I’d love to stay in a bed and breakfast style hotel. I’d have to convince my husband.
What some absolutely stunning hotels I have to admit I absolutely adore the look of the Clifton Inn though it looks absolutely stunning. x
This hotel seems quite lovely. There really is something special about small local hotels that cannot be found in larger chain hotels.
I think I prefer the hotel downtown. The houses with the old feel just don’t do it for me, however, I know a lot of people who love those places!
Liz, I loved these photos! They are beautiful! Thank you for the information!
These all look so beautiful! The Clifton Inn and the Graduate Hotel are my two favorites. They have such a cool vibe.
Some really quaint looking hotels there. Charlottesville is somewhere I’ve never been to before x
Charlottesville has such great places to stay. I love the tea at Clifton Inn, and I don’t even normally like tea.
This looks like a great place to stay. I will have to check it out if I am in the area.
Charlottesville looks like a great place to relax. I would love to go and explore and recharge my batteries.
Residence Hotel looks like the place for me. I love the feel of those older hotels, but I’ve watched so many horror movies, I’d be afraid of getting snatched under the bed. LOL
I can understand that! So many hotels like that show up in ghost stories and horror movies. It was a great place to stay though!
These are gorgeous hotels. I love the sound of the ginger twist at the Clifton Inn. I especially love the idea of a crawfoot bath tub. They seem so romantic!
A few friends of mine went to Charlottesville last year and stayed in the Clifton Inn and just absolutely loved and raved about it x
This looks like a wonderful town in Virginia. I’d love to visit Charlottesville with my family. There are so many things to do and see there!
They look like a great hotels to visit if I go to Charlottesville 🙂
We have not ever been t0 Charlottesville before. But I think either of these selections would work – as long as we can all fit in one room – that is key for us.
like a great hotels to visit <3 lovely and cool place
What a nice play to stay. Looks very quaint and inviting!
I always want to travel really away from home! The Charlottesville sounds a nice place to stay.
Looks like a classic Great American destination. Nice!
Such lovely photos and great recommendations. I will definitely check back here if I ever visit Charlottesville.
Beautiful! I love the charm at Clifton Inn. It has a real bed and breakfast kind of feel to it. I also love the kitchenette at the Residence Inn, its perfect for families and kids traveling.
I’ve never been to Charlottesville but if I ever find myself there I can bet you that I will stay at the Clifton Inn. I love the decor which would make me feel very comfortable–almost like you were staying in an elegant home.
I really love the Clifton Inn and the Graduate Hotel. They both have that historic charm that makes your stay an adventure.
I agree! And when you add in experiences like afternoon tea, it truly is something that shouldn’t be missed.
As a British tourist i think any of these places would just be magnificent to stay! Sign me up! H x
These are neat spots! I’m always a little scared to book at a place that doesn’t have a ton of reviews – but THIS is a review!
I want to stay in the Cliffton or Graduate Inn. What beautiful architecture and decor that has so much character. And the afternoon tea they serve at the Cliffton, I need to find a reason to go to Charlottesville.
I love the photos. Charlottesville is high on my list to visit!
These are great idea. I love how they have a cozy feel to them.
What a classy looking place to stay! Looks great, I’ve never been to VA before but think if I were to this would be a great place to stay, such charm!
I’ve visited Virginia and they really do have the BEST inns. So charming and historic. Love them!
They all look amazing but I really love the decor and vibe of the Graduate hotel. Plus I am a graduate as well.
Love the photos this post really makes me want to go on holiday.
All pictures look great! it’s something unique about these captures! Beautiful places!!!
These both look like really nice places to stay. I will keep them both in mind if I am ever in the area.
That place looks wonderful and comfortable to stay in, and excellent pictures
sounds like a great place to stay & visit. Lots of charm & looks so quaint
Each of these hotels are stunning in their own unique way. I am more of a modern gal myself, but that Inn with the gorgeous vintage touches and claw foot tub seems perfect.
Virginia is one of my favorite states by far! I would love to visit and stay at this charming hotel!
Such a lovely place! The ambiance looks so peaceful and romantic which is perfect for honeymoon. I will recommend this to my friends.
Looks like I will be referencing this info if I ever get to that area on a road trip 🙂
These look really nice. I love staying at luxury hotels. It is so relaxing being there and availing the spa services.
Oh my goodness the Clifton Inn looks like it would be my favorite! Hopefully I get the chance to stay there someday.
They all look like charming places to stay. I like the feel of staying in a place that feels like home away from home, and I think each of these offers that.
They all have that old country charm, it makes you feel so at home! I like the Graduate Hotel the most, the bed looks so comfy and the mix of modern and country decor is spot on! These places are worth staying at for sure!
Oh wow!! These hotels are all just gorgeous!! I would love the opportunity to stay at any of them!!
They all look great to me. I know that there are times when I want the predictability of a chain hotel. But, nothing beats a boutique spot with tons of character.
I have never stayed in Charlottesville Virginia before. The Clifton Inn would be the place I would love to stay at. It has so much history and my sons along with myself are indeed so into historical places. Thanks for sharing these awesome hotels.
Seamless picks of hotels! I would love to stay at The Graduate Hotel if ever I will have a chance to visit Charlottesville.
Clifton Inn looks very charming and homey. Would love to have a stay here.
That hotel is so pretty. I love how much character it has.
The Graduate Hotel looks absolutely adorable and so quirky! I love staying in places with lots of unique character too.
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The decor in Graduate hotel is out of this world amazing.
Wow, this looks like a nice place to visit!
I really like the appeal of the bed and breakfast.
You posted some beautiful pictures of this one.
These make we want to take a trip to a Bed and Breakfast. They would be fun to stay in even if you weren’t doing anything else.
Wow these look like beautiful hotels! I have never been in Charlottesville VA but it looks beautiful!
I have always liked the looks and feels of inns. I would love to stay in a place like the Clifton Inn. How cool!
These places all look great. Keeping these in mind.
Charlottesville is such a beautiful area! I’ve visited once and would love to go again. You don’t see hotels like this often!
I have always wanted to visit Charlottesville – I hope I get to visit one day x
The hotels look really great to stay at. We may be out that way this Summer and will have to stay in one of them.
This place looks gorgeous. I’d love to visit Charlotteville one day x
What a charming place! I don’t believe I’ve visited Charlottesville before but have spent a good deal of time in Virginia. Such a seat of history for the U.S.
I haven’t been to this part of Virginia before, but Clifton Inn gets my vote. I love staying in cozy, personal places.
Charlottesville sounds like a really nice place to stay. I love to see more of it, I wish I can travel there.
I love the Clifton Inn! It reminds me of one of those haunted places to stay!
Oooooo Charlottesville looks like a fabulous place to visit!!!!! I’m loving that bed and breakfast! Would
Be a perfect getaway for hubby and I 🙂
I never knew there was a place called Charlottesville! I feel like I must go and visit it! 🙂
I love that both places pay tribute to the history of Charlottesville. I would probably bounce between the two.
They look like great places to stay. I love the homes in America, they are so different to what we have in Scotland.
I like to get a good feel for the local flavor too when I’m staying in a new city. Looks like you got that and some. What a wonderful stay!
Each of the hotels are very inviting to me in their own way. I love the photo you took in the first hotel through the mirror – so cool!
I love that these places look like home. They are just simple and comfortable. Perfect places to feel welcome and cozy!
I prefer to stay in a hotel that is full of charm and ambiance. Charlottesville is a city I would love to visit.
The hotels are both very beautiful and they have that old country charm which is great because it adds to the experience when you stay in each of them. I love how the first one is decorated, with the old mirrors and the furniture. It will definitely bring you back in time!
All these look great but I especially loved the first one! It’s so homey and cozy!
I loved the first one the most. I am really attracted to the older style and love the historical feeling. Thanks for sharing.
Charlottesville is a nice place to explore. I will include this on our travel bucket list!
I also prefer hotels that are rich in history of the place & the one that serves the local flavor for sure. Never been to Charlottesville, but this is great guidance to get the best place to stay & all these hotels looks great where the Clifton Inn looks the best.
I love staying in a bed and breakfasts when I travel because of the charm. I didn’t realize that there were hotels with charm as well. I’d love to visit Charlottesville one day and check it out.
It looks like a great hotel. I haven’t been to Charlotteville but will keep those hotels in mind for future reference.
What an elegant place to go, this article gives me some recommended hotels
Oh! The Clifton Inn is right up my alley. It looks so classy and nice but also has a strong cultural feel to it. I love that combination.
I have never been to Virginia before. All those hotels look awesome. I think I like the look of the first one more though.
Both hotels look absolutely amazing! I’ve never even been to the USA – sounds fab!
wow, these hotels look unique and has its own charm. I would love to visit! Thanks for sharing!
Loving the idea of the graduate hotel, it’s very pretty and has it’s charm
My granddaughter has her heart set on going to UVA so this article will be really helpful
Charlottesville looks like a great place to visit. The photos you have shared looks amazing and the rooms look so cozy!
i do like the look of these! when i travel, i tend to live more downtown and stay in more modern places but i do like to find places that have more of a personality too
Love this post! It’s full of great options, love them!