About Charlottesville

Regularly rated amongst the top places to live in the USA, Charlottesville offers a charming taste of old-school America, with some of the finest colonial-era architecture in the area. Sitting in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this lively destination is also the gateway to the enchanting Shenandoah National Park — brilliant for outdoorsy travellers. Accommodation options range from intimate heritage inns to swish city hotels, fit for a range of tastes and budgets. Many of the best places to stay in Charlottesville are right in the heart of town, but some of our favourite spots offer the chance to unwind in the countryside as a laid-back couple or active family.

Steeped in history, this Virginia city is ideal for culture aficionados. The pedestrianised historic centre, shaded by magnolia trees, is bursting with first-rate museums, art galleries, antiquarian bookstores and chic boutiques. The University of Virginia campus is particularly impressive, and walking tours highlighting Charlottesville’s neo-classical architecture come highly recommended. Nearby Monticello Plantation, once home to Thomas Jefferson, is famed for its insightful guided tours.

You’ll find appealing wineries and distilleries in the surrounding countryside, as well as hiking and cycling trails for adventurous groups of friends or families. Virginia’s lakes and rivers make for marvellous fishing, canoeing and sailing spots, too. Shenandoah National Park is spectacular.

Charlottesville is an immensely popular year-round destination. Book your trip well in advance to guarantee a room at one of the best places too stay in Charlottesville!

The Best Places to Stay in Charlottesville

For A Contemporary City Stay

  • Graduate Charlottesville offers a playful take on university life, with bright rooms and suites featuring retro furniture and artwork. Kick back in funky shared spaces before heading up to the rooftop bar for snacks and sundowners. Great for guests of all ages.
  • The Draftsman is a swish city hotel in a new-build tower. Think slick, modern design, expansive city views, a state-of-the-art gym and an excellent restaurant. For well-heeled couples or business travellers.
  • Quirk Hotel Charlottesville is perfect for design lovers. A centrally-located spot, the property has a white and dusky pink colour palette and a cool, creative feel. There's a buzzy rooftop bar and top-notch food, too. For couples and groups of friends. A fun choice for weddings or events.

For a Historic Inn

  • The Inn at Court Square is a sumptuously-decorated historic inn with nine rooms set across two buildings in central Charlottesville. Pick this place for a strong sense of the past, and a warm, romantic feel. Very indulgent.
  • Dinsmore Boutique Inn sits in midtown Charlottesville, with nine spacious guestrooms featuring nods to the building's nineteenth-century origins. A chic boutique choice for couples, friends or families.
  • 200 South Street Inn has plenty of old-fashioned charm, with four-poster beds in quiet rooms with brick fireplaces and sash windows. Watch the world go by from your rocking chair on the verandah. A welcoming B&B with complimentary wine and cheese evenings. A super central stay for history buffs, in buildings dating back to the mid-1850s.
  • Oakhurst Inn is set close to the University of Virginia. The property has a stylish, 1950s feel, with retro furnishings and a warm, funky colour palette. Kids will adore the swimming pool, and the trendy onsite café is excellent. A very cool choice for couples or families visiting students at the University.

For a Romantic Escape

  • Arcady Vineyard B&B has just five comfortable rooms, perfect for a quiet country retreat. The big draw is that this B&B sits on a working vineyard, in an area surrounded by wineries — so you can sip the best of the region's wine as you unwind under the stars. Relaxed and romantic.
  • The Clifton is a wonderfully romantic manor house on 100 acres of scenic grounds outside Charlottesville. Expect 20 elegant rooms and suites with hardwood floors, velvet upholstery and vibrant artwork. Feast on farm-to-table organic produce and local wines. A country escape for couples and foodies.
  • Foxfield Inn offers five guestrooms, some of which have whirlpool tubs and crackling fireplaces. Begin your days with delicious three-course breakfasts, and sink into big cosy beds after days of exploring. A relaxing couples' retreat in three acres of gardens.

For an Expansive Resort

  • Boar's Head Resort has 573 acres of grounds, complete with a soothing spa, swimming pools, tennis and squash courts. There is a choice of great eateries, access to nearby heritage sites and wineries, and heaps for the whole family to see and do. A fantastic resort for active families, couples or groups of friends.

FOR AN APARTMENT OR HOLIDAY COTTAGE

  • If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel information

  • Fly to Richmond International Airport, an hour from Charlottesville by car. Alternatively, travel to Washington Dulles International Airport, two hours away by bus or taxi.
  • Virginia is a wonderful region to explore by road! Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
  • Expect warm summers, though this can be a busy time to visit. Travel in the spring (April - May) or autumn (September - October) for cooler temperatures. Virginia is particularly beautiful during the autumn, when the leaves turn golden, red and orange.

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The best hotels in Charlottesville

Graduate Charlottesville

Charlottesville

Channel a glossy version of college life at this playful university-themed boutique hotel. A curated and colourful fun aesthetic blends retro furniture, vintage art & antique touches. Enjoy buzzy dining, rooftop cocktail bar, fun shared spaces and pretty rooms. Will suit sociable guests of all ages.

  • Short break - The perfect place for a short stay visiting friends, colleagues or attenting an event at the nearby University of Virginia
  • City Style - Indulge your inner student with sociable hang out spots, games room & diner but with way better food, decor & style
  • Value chic - The property offers real style and substance at affordable rates
  • Restaurant - The restaurant serves comfort food with rooftop views while the all-day lobby bar with patio offers snacks, coffee & cocktails
from $125 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Townsman Hotel

Charlottesville

Self-described as an 'unhotel' this chic boutique stay comprises of four self-check-in rooms in the heart of Charlottesville. Each room is spacious & light with a separate living room and all bar one have a balcony. With great rates and an independent feel, this is an easy choice for a city break.

  • Groups - With just four rooms, this is a great option to rent out in its entirety for groups wanting an independent stay
  • Local exploring - With its central location, many of the best shops, restaurants, and nightlife is within walking distance
  • Great walks - Get out of town and spend the day hiking in Shenandoah National Park or the Blue Ridge Mountains
  • Boutique
from $130 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
The Draftsman

Charlottesville

A modern city hotel in a new-build tower with a boutique feel. Everything required for a short stay is on-site; farm to table dining, state of the art gym and spacious luxe-style bedrooms with cosy touches. Playful public areas with artfully mismatched furniture & fun decor work well for downtime.

  • Business meetings - The relaxed feel, modern meeting rooms and high-tech facilities makes this a good choice for medium-sized business groups
  • Short break - A comfortable base if you're flying into town for a function. Won't break the bank and has everything you need
  • Restaurant - The Renewal Tavern all-dining restaurant reflects Charlottesville’s farm and wine country heritage, with a French influence
  • Sights nearby - A must-see if Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. The features the historic house, gardens and museum
from $150 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
200 South Street Inn

Charlottesville (Virginia)

This historic inn sits in downtown Charlottesville, West Virginia. A quaint verandah surrounds the house, complete with rocking chairs. Inside, unwind on inviting four-poster beds by a heritage fireplace; antique furniture completes the suites. Enjoy wine and cheese hour with the host; a cosy hotel.

  • Romantic Break - Couples love the romantic atmosphere at this classic southern inn, in particular the daily wine and cheese hour with the hosts
  • Local exploring - With the best historic sites, bars and restaurants close by, this hotel is perfectly placed for local exploring in Virginia
  • City Style - Set in a heritage property in the heart of downtown Charlottesville, this hotel has lots of local city charm
  • Four poster beds
from $174 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Oakhurst Inn

Charlottesville (VA )

This boutique inn sits in the heart of historic Charlottesville. Inside, an open hearth is flanked by homely, eclectic furnishings with a 50s feel. The rich green and brown palette extends to the guest suites, dressed with plants and hand-picked artwork. Have brunch at the chic café; a stylish stay.

  • Local exploring - With the university and the mall close by, this hotel is perfectly placed for local exploring in Charlottesville
  • Romantic Break - Couples rate this hotel highly for its luxury finish and romantic suites; have brunch at the cosy hotel café
  • City Style - Set in a charming, boutique property in the heart of the city, this hotel has lots of local style
  • Sights nearby - Visit the Downtown Mall, the largest pedestrian mall in the USA; the hotel offers a free shuttle to the mall regularly
from $184 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Arcady Vineyard B&B

Charlottesville (VA)

This B&B is the only hotel in Charlottesville with a working vineyard. Set within acres of verdant countryside, the spacious guestrooms include a wine fridge and an evening turn-down service with dessert wine; take a glass to your private spa bath or the sit-out deck. A well-appointed wine retreat.

  • Romantic Break - Couples love the stylish and comfortable guestrooms at this hotel; unwind with a glass of wine in your own romantic spa bath
  • Local exploring - Located in the heart of the Virginia wine country, this hotel is perfectly placed for guests to explore local wineries
  • Country Escape - Set on a vineyard in the bucolic Virginia countryside, this hotel makes an authentic country bolt-hole
  • Great walks - Explore the Virginian countryside surrounding the hotel on a long walk; ask the hotel to prepare a picnic basket to take
from $185 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Dinsmore Boutique Inn

Charlottesville (Charlottesville)

This boutique hotel is set in a renovated, 19th-century townhouse in midtown Charlottesville. Classic columns welcome guests, leading to a bright reception room with period furnishings. The distinctive suites feature preserved heritage details like exposed beams, plus luxury amenities. A chic hotel.

  • City Style - Set in a heritage property in the University of Virginia’s Corner District, this hotel has lots of local city style
  • Romantic Break - Couples love the romantic atmosphere at this hotel; book a luxury suite for a private verandah
  • Foodies - Foodies will love the hotel's acclaimed on-site restaurant, Farm Bell Kitchen
  • Sights nearby - Visit the Historic Downtown Mall of Virginia, one of the largest pedestrian shopping streets in the USA
from $199 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Boar's Head Resort

Charlottesville (Virginia)

573-acre scenic playground for all the family to relax, get active and explore quintessential Virginia through historical tours and wineries. Rooms are luxurious with access to the spa, pools, tennis & squash courts. Between The Old Mill Room, Bistro 1834 and The Cafe,one is truly spoiled for choice

  • Great walks - Around the golf course, or into town, there is always time for a leisurely stroll.
  • Fishing - Schedule a lesson or take to the lake yourself with some fly fishing.
  • Cooking classes - Cooking classes and demonstrations are a popular activity.
  • Sights nearby - Oak Ridge Estate is 200 years old and worth a visit.
from $200 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Quirk Hotel Charlottesville

Charlottesville

Playful and contemporary central boutique hotel. Cutting-edge architecture seamlessly combines unique new-build & historic structures. There's a roof terrace, restaurants and art gallery. Impeccably designed powder-pink rooms have clean lines and stylish furniture. Fun and fresh in a historic town.

  • City Style - There's nothing quite like this in Charlottesville. Will suit those looking for a change from the area's many chocolate-box inns
  • Sights nearby - Visit Monticello, home to Thomas Jefferson & the only house in America recognised by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site
  • Restaurant - The jazzy Pink Grouse restaurant serves casual fare plus excellent craft beers and cocktails. Quirk Cafe offers all day dining
  • Great walks - At Montpelier, lifelong home of President James Madison, the 200+ acre site has walking trails through 300-year old forest
from $204 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Clifton

Charlottesville

A wonderfully romantic Manor house, sitting on 100 acres just outside Charlottesville, Virginia. The rooms offer effortless elegance and modern comforts, with hardwood floors, velvet upholstery and vibrant artworks. Feast on farm to fork organic produce and local wines at the fine dining restaurant.

  • Honeymoons - For the perfect romantic getaway rent the honeymoom cottage- an intimate and enchanting spot with stunning mountain views
  • Foodies - Book the Chef’s Counter where you can watch the kitchen whip up innovative locally sourced dishes first hand
  • Great walks - Don't forget your hiking boots- there are numerous stunning trails dotted throughout the area
  • Swimming Pool - Seasonal outdoor pool
from $231 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Foxfield Inn

Charlottesville

A countryside escape set near Charlottesville. Rooms are elegant and contemporary with romantic gas fireplaces and spacious bathrooms with two-person spa baths. Enjoy a gourmet three-course breakfast. Relax and unwind in the outdoor hot tub under its flower-covered pergola. A romantic escape.

  • Romantic Break - With special romantic packages that include bouqet of flowers, wine and tempting treats - a property primed for romance
  • Country Escape - Spend a weekend nestled in the mountains of Charlottesville with cosy fireplaces and hot tubs
  • Great walks - Shenandoah National Park is 30 minutes away and has a lot of trails leading off the Skyline Drive
  • Whirlpool Bathtub - Four of the rooms have spa baths
from $270 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
The Inn at Court Square

Charlottesville

Award-winning centrally-located inn. Spread over two beautifully restored historic Federal-style buildings, one-of-a-kind rooms and suites decorated by the inn-keeper combine opulent four-poster beds, rare antiques, impressive art, chandeliers & fireplaces. A class act that makes for a special stay.

  • Local exploring - Historic downtown Charlottesville is full to the brim with charming antique shops, book shops, restaurants & art galleries
  • Romantic Break - Suites are grand, whimsical and romantic. After a day out exploring the inn feels cosy and inviting, whatever the season
  • Historic - The inn is situated in the oldest existing house in historic downtown Charlottesville - it dates from 1785
  • Owner managed - The owners are in the antiques and interior design business and have used both talents to great effect
from $284 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Keswick Hall

Charlottesville

A luxury hotel set on a beautiful estate outside of Charlottesville. Elegant rooms and suites are decorated with a contemporary take on traditional design. With a fine dining restaurant, atmospheric bar, and on-site tennis courts, pool, and golf course — this is ideal for a romantic rural getaway.

  • Golf - Full Cry Golf Course is designed by Pete Dye and is exclusively accessible to members of Keswick Hall and hotel guests
  • Romantic Break - With elegant suites, fine dining, wine tasting, and a secluded setting — this is the perfect setting for romance
  • Active Holiday - With its own golf course, several tennis courts, and a large pool — there is plenty to keep busy with on site
  • Restaurant - Marigold by Jean-Georges is a fine dining restaurant which changes its menu with the seasons
from $795 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees