2016 Luxury List: Virginia Resorts & Hotels

Although we are all for the budget-friendly options for vacations, sometimes you need a little extra pampering, and Virginia has plenty of luxurious places that cater to even the most discerning guests. Plan your next lavish getaway to one of these highly acclaimed Virginia resorts and treat yourself to some of the most indulgent and beautiful accommodations in the world.

Inn at Little Washington, Washington 
Forbes Five Star Hotel * AAA Five Diamond Winner * Relais & Châteaux Member
Upon arrival at The Inn at Little Washington, guests are served welcome cocktails before being shown to their sumptuous estate rooms. For a little extra splurge, reserve one of their luxury two-story suites. Each day, dine on a decadent breakfast before exploring the idyllic grounds and the town for which the inn is named. While Washington is a small town, it is filled with more than its fair share of charm. Return to the inn for proper afternoon tea service. For fine dining, you can’t do better than the inn’s critically acclaimed restaurant, which has been awarded Five Stars from Forbes and Five Diamonds by AAA. This is the only restaurant in Virginia that has the distinction of winning both these coveted awards. If you are looking for luxury in Virginia, the Inn at Little Washington is an excellent example.
Nearby Attractions: Skyline Drive, Shenandoah Valley, Wineries, Luray Caverns

The Lodge & Cottages at Primland Resort, Meadows of Dan
Forbes Four Star * TripAdvisor Top 25 Hotels in the U.S. * #1 in Virginia by Yahoo Travel * Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Top 100 Best Hotels & Resorts in the World
The Lodge & Cottages at Primland Resort has an extensive list of luxury activities for every visitor. Guests can book an appointment at the first-rate spa, fit in a round of golf, enjoy the great outdoors while fishing, go horseback riding on the grounds, try out paddle boarding, play a tennis match, stargaze in the observatory, make a reservation for an ATV tour, or even schedule a guided pheasant, turkey, or other winged game hunt. With so much to do, you may spend very little time in your room, but the lodgings are on par, if not more impressive, than the activities. Whether you stay in the main lodge or the cottages, every room is decked out in opulent Virginia style. For an once-in-a-lifetime experience, book one of the three treehouses that overlook the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Nearby Attractions: Mabry Mill, Fairy Stone State Park

The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond
Forbes Five Star Hotel
Everything about The Jefferson Hotel speaks to its high level of luxury, including the historic architecture, impeccable service, and elegantly renovated rooms. Visit the indoor swimming pool with an outdoor sundeck or expansive health facility to stay active during your visit. If pampering services are on the agenda, the hotel has a full-service spa and salon.  The hotel has been designated a National Historic Landmark and is also a charter member of the Historic Hotels of America. In addition to being named a Five Star Hotel, the hotel’s restaurant, Lemaire, has been awarded both the Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond Awards. For a getaway that is filled with history and unequivocal hospitality, book a stay at the Jefferson Hotel.
Nearby Attractions: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Science Museum of Virginia, Maymont

Keswick Hall, Keswick 
Forbes Four Star * AAA Four Diamond
Located outside of historic Charlottesville, Keswick Hall is a Tuscan-style mansion with luxury accommodations. Visitors appreciate the on-site spa, a brand-new Pete Dye Golf Course, and fine dining at the resort’s restaurant, Fossett’s, which has won the Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond awards. While staying at Keswick, take a stroll on the scenic trails that wind through the hotel’s 600-acre estate and swim in one of the three stunning pools that are located on the property. Exercise enthusiasts will find that the fully equipped fitness center, group classes, steam rooms, and saunas more than meet their health needs. Every aspect of this gorgeous hotel provides a refreshing retreat from life’s typical hustle and bustle.
Nearby Attractions: Monticello Wine Trail, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Madison’s Montpelier, University of Virginia

The Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg 
Forbes Four Star * AAA Four Diamond
The Williamsburg Inn is part of Colonial Williamsburg, but these rooms have all the modern amenities you expect in a luxury resort. Guests have access to fine dining at the Regency Room, spa facilities, golf, croquet, tennis, swimming at one of the three pools, and many other activities located within the Colonial Williamsburg area. Visit the Williamsburg Inn for a taste of Virginia history along with a full serving of luxury accommodations.
Nearby Attractions: Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg Premium Outlets, Busch Gardens

The Ritz-Carlton at Tysons Corner, McLean 
Forbes Four Star * AAA Four Diamond
Lavish lodgings are a given at The Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner. Well-known in the world of luxury, the Ritz has 50 Suites that provide every comfort for guests, including a sauna, spa & steam room. Dine inside the hotel at the American Eats Tavern, or pick one of the many fine dining options available in the Tysons Corner area. Wine lovers should stop by Entyse Wine Bar & Lounge inside the hotel to share a glass of wine that is hand-selected by the in-house Sommelier, Vincent Feraud.
Nearby Attractions: Tysons Corner Center, Arlington National Cemetery, Historic Old Town Alexandria, George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg
Forbes Four Star * AAA Four Diamond
Immerse yourself in luxury at the Salamander Resort & Spa. This first-class resort offers horseback riding, cooking classes, celebrity chef demonstrations, spa treatments, a full-service salon, three swimming pools, a championship-level golf course, tennis courts, clay shooting, and even tree top zip line tours. Dine at Harriman’s Virginia Piedmont Grill for exceptional local cuisine and an elegant yet welcoming atmosphere. This peaceful destination is only 20 miles from Washington, D.C., but the rural landscape makes the resort feel like you are relaxing in the quiet English countryside.
Nearby Attractions: Great Meadow Polo Grounds, Hallowed Ground Tour, National Sporting Library & Museum

Clifton Inn, Charlottesville
Forbes Four Star
While the Clifton Inn only has 17 rooms, each are uniquely adorned with lavish Virginia décor. Seated in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Clifton Inn has 100 acres of lush landscape for guests to explore. If you decide to venture out further to see what the area has to offer, there are dozens of wineries and breweries where you can sample some of Virginia’s best beverages.
Nearby Attractions: Monticello Wine Trail, Charlottesville, Monticello Country Hot Air Balloon Rides, Hiking at South River Falls

The Inn at Willow Grove, Orange
Forbes Four Star
Unwind at The Inn at Willow Grove for a plantation-style version of luxurious living. These rooms have custom amenities that wow, including heated floors in the bathrooms and organic herb-infused goat’s milk that is produced nearby on a local farm. The 40-acre property features impressive gardens and gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as multiple fire pits where visitors can gather to view a sunset even during the cold winter months. Guests start the day with hot homemade beignets and locally roasted French-press coffee delivered to their door by a butler. Every need is met by the attentive staff at the Inn at Willow Grove, so you can feel like a millionaire while paying far less for your stay.
Nearby Attractions: Barboursville Ruins, the James Madison Museum, Wineries
 

The Martha Washington Inn & Spa, Abingdon
AAA Four Diamond
The Martha Washington Inn & Spa, often affectionately called simply the Martha, is an elegant Virginia inn with tennis courts, complete fitness  center, an 18-hole miniature golf course, and a therapeutic salt water heated pool. These unique amenities add a lot of luxury to the inn, but they are not what makes the Martha stand out to guests. The unrivaled hospitality and service speaks volumes of the well-trained staff, and the little touches, such as daily afternoon tea and an after-dinner glass of complimentary port in the library, make this inn a must-visit for Virginia residents and tourists alike.
Nearby Attractions: Virginia Creeper Trail, White’s Mill, The Town of Abingdon

The Omni Homestead, Hot Springs
AAA Four Diamond
There isn’t much about the The Omni Homestead that doesn’t exude luxury. From the 2,000 acres of amenities and rooms to the upscale spa and indoor pool (heated by the nearby natural hot springs for which the area is named), this resort pulls out all the stops for a truly opulent experience. Speaking of amenities, the Homestead has a bowling alley, movie theater, pool hall, ice skating rink, several pools, and even a two-acre water park including  two water slides, a play zone, a lazy river, and a sandy beach area. All this is just a sampling of what the Homestead has to offer when it comes to world-class accommodations.
Nearby Attractions: Jefferson Pools, Cascades Gorge Hike, Lake Moomaw
 

Boar’s Head, Charlottesville
AAA Four Diamond
Whether you plan on relaxing or using the inn as a home base during an activity-filled getaway, Boar’s Head makes every moment of your stay unforgettable. Many of the rooms have patios or balconies, providing the perfect place to view a beautiful Virginia sunset, and several even include fireplaces for the cooler evenings. Amenities at Boar’s Head include four swimming pools for seasonal use, a full-service luxury spa, a championship 18-hole Audubon-certified golf course, a state-of-the-art sports club, award-winning racquet sports with 26 tennis courts (12 for indoor play) and 11-court squash facility, fitness center, and complimentary afternoon tea and coffee, complete with sweet pastries. If you can get a table for dinner, don’t miss out on a meal from the Old Mill Room, the on-site restaurant that been awarded Four Diamonds from AAA for 29 consecutive years.
Nearby Attractions: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Madison’s Montpelier, University of Virginia, Monticello Wine Trail

Treat yourself to one of these grand getaways and experience the best that Virginia has to offer. Where do you stay when you plan a luxury vacation? Let us know if your favorite spot wasn’t included on this list!