Cool Places to Stay in Virginia: Virginia Hotels that are Worth the Trip

From stargazing and observing celestial bodies at the on-site observatory to horseback riding on adventurous nature trails, the endless activities offered at Primland make it almost impossible to leave.

Surrounded by the commanding Blue Ridge Mountain range, this eco-conscious resort sits on 12,000-acres of protected land in southwestern Virginia. Guests can spend the day paddle-boarding down the Talbott Reservoir, a secluded body of water surrounded by thicketed hills, before taking to the mountains with an expert guide; the property’s numerous hiking trails vary in difficulty and length, suiting a variety of fitness levels.

Also offered are a unique set of accommodations, ranging from posh lodge rooms and suites to private cottages and a trio of treehouses. Built into a ridge, these elegant treehouse cabins with expansive decks overlook the Kibler Valley, offering guests unparalleled views 1,500 feet into the verdant valley below.

The Inn at Little Washington exudes old-world romance and quintessential Virginia countryside charm—it’s situated less than two miles from Shenandoah National Park—despite only being an hour away from the nation’s capital.

Immerse yourself in opulence when you check in to one of the property’s 23 rooms and suites, each named after a pioneer in the American culinary landscape. The highlight, however, is a much-sought-after reservation (guaranteed with every stay) at its renowned 30-seat fine dining restaurant—and the DMV area’s only three-Michelin starred establishment.

Helmed by native Washingtonian Patrick O’Connell, guests can expect to dine on an inventive Refined American Cuisine menu featuring locally sourced meats, as well as produce and herbs from its on-site garden. Its 2,400-strong wine list, curated by sommelier Bill Harris, features bottles from all around the world, including several local Virginia vineyards such as Glen Manor and Barboursville Vineyards.

A quaint, family-run property on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the Charlotte Hotel and Restaurant is primely situated in downtown Onancock, a former steamboat port town now known for its eclectic art scene and small-town coastal life.

First opened as a restaurant in 2003, this artfully decorated boutique hotel offers just eight country-chic rooms and a noteworthy history: the building once served as a full-fledged hotel—the White Hotel—in operation from 1907 until the Great Depression.

After a day spent kayaking or fishing along Onancock Creek—it’s only a three-minute walk away—whet your appetite with seafood specialties at the highly acclaimed on-site restaurant. Featuring a sometimes-daily rotating menu, feast on dishes that highlight locally sourced, seasonal produce, meats, and seafood from neighboring Eastern Shore purveyors, like freshly-caught oysters or lobster bisque.

A refined 28-room European-style country inn, Wedmore Place is undoubtedly a Virginia hotel that’s worth the trip for wine enthusiasts due to its prime location on Williamsburg Winery – one of the state’s largest wine producers.

Home to 300-acres of vineyards and forested expanses of towering pine trees, the elegant property offers elegant accommodations with antique furnishings and plush drapes and linens, as well as wood-burning fireplaces, perfect to cozy up to after a day out in the crisp Virginia countryside.

On the weekends, guests can indulge in extensive tastings at the winery’s private cellar, sampling nine glasses of select vintages and reserve wines, including a sweet, late harvest dessert wine made from Vidal Blanc and Muscat grapes.

Located in Abingdon’s historic district, this imposing, almost two-century-old redbrick façade has seen many different changes in ownership and use prior to its opening as a hotel in 1935. First starting as a private residence in 1832, The Martha Washington Hotel & Spa went on to become Martha Washington College, an all-women’s college that paved the way for women’s careers in nursing and other professions.

Considered a landmark historic US hotel, the private residence’s original living room, including its grand staircase and parlors, now makes up its grandiose hotel lobby. Period-era furnishings and 19th-century antiques transport guests back to the hotel’s heyday when celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Eleanor Roosevelt frequented the genteel hotel.

Sip a glass of port—complimentary with each stay—on the welcoming front porch before cozying up by the fireplace in the hotel’s well-stocked library, which features over 1000 volumes of American classics. Indulge in a day of massage with the spa’s newest signature service offered in a secluded gazebo by the outdoor pool.

Located in Wytheville, a quaint town in southwestern Virginia, the Bolling Wilson Hotel is a charming property dating back to 1927. Paying homage to its most famous resident and namesake—Edith Bolling Wilson, President Woodrow Wilson’s second wife—this landmark hotel is a treasure trove for history buffs that check-in to its storied quarters.

Decked out in warm hues of purple and yellow, the property’s 30 laid-back rooms incorporate designs based on a few of Wilson’s favorite things: canaries, orchids, and bourbon.

The award-winning on-site restaurant, Graze on Main, features a New Southern menu and a nationally recognized bar featuring a selection of whiskey and bourbon flight tastings. Must-have dishes include the pimento cheese dip, fried green tomatoes, and comforting plates of Cajun-style shrimp and grits and fried catfish.

For indelible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the quaint town below, head upstairs to Perch, a seasonal rooftop terrace where firepits, warm throws, and cozy seating await.