With picturesque landscapes, a flourishing culinary scene, vibrant nightlife, great museums, and exciting adventures along the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is easy to fall in love with. Both tourists and locals are never at a loss for things to do in Charlottesville. From kayaking to hiking to hot-air ballooning, you can indulge in a wide range of adventures here.
Charlottesville has been home to many celebrities from the third President of the US Thomas Jefferson to literary giant Edgar Allan Poe to NFL player Ralph Horween. Head to Monticello, Jefferson’s mountain-top plantation on the outskirts, to take a true peak into his life.
Explore a never-ending array of shops and restaurants downtown, go apple-picking in Carter Mountain Orchard, or take the scenic Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah National Park.
A stay at a lovely boutique hotel downtown or a holiday home surrounded by beautiful vistas will make your vacation complete. Here are the top cool and unusual hotels in Charlottesville, Virginia (in no particular order)...
1. Graduate Charlottesville – a cool, hip and very Instagramamble hotel perfect for partying Millenials and Gen Zs
A fashionably classy hotel offering views of the gorgeous Southwest Mountains, located across the street from the University of Virginia. It’s less than two miles from Virginia Discovery Museum, with Charlottesville train station reachable within a 13-minute walk.
An elegant rooftop restaurant, a retro bar with table games, a hip lobby cafe, and luxuriously appointed rooms make Graduate Charlottesville one of the best boutique hotels
Vintage-inspired rooms at Graduate Charlottesville boast collegiate and Colonial-style furniture and plaid carpets.
Standard rooms have all basic amenities, including flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms feature stunning mountain views, while suites have separate living areas.
Address: 1309 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903, United States
2. Quirk Hotel Charlottesville – a modern, trendy stylish hotel located in an unbeatable location
A sophisticated, upscale hotel located beautifully on Main Street downtown. The artsy hotel is roughly two miles from Interstate 64, with easy access to all downtown attractions.
Quirk Hotel Charlottesville perfectly combines boutique charm with luxury. You’ll fall in love with the modern artwork and colorful headboards featured in all rooms.
Each room comes equipped with a safe, mini-fridge, and Wi-Fi. Upgrade to enjoy access to a private balcony. Suites have separate living rooms, while bi-level suites feature soaking tubs.
Enjoy an authentic Southern-style fare at the two on-site restaurants or a freshly roasted coffee at the snug coffee shop. You’ll also have access to a refined whiskey bar, a gym, and an art gallery.
Address: 499 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903, United States
3. The Draftsman, Autograph Collection – a boutique hotel with quirky-chic decor close to popular points of interest
If you are looking for an opulent boutique experience, look no further than The Draftsman on Main Street downtown. This trendy hotel has sophisticated rooms featuring flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, Nespresso machines, and free Wi-Fi.
You can feel the elegance of The Draftsman as you step into its polished lounge area which has a warm ambiance. Grab a meal at the on-site farm-to-table restaurant, enjoy a cocktail at the hotel’s ritzy bar, or go shopping nearby. Guests also have access to a gym and event space.
Address: 1106 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903, United States
4. Oakhurst Inn – a beautiful upscale hotel set in Charlottesville’s most prestigious neighborhoods
Experience the truest form of Southern hospitality at this Craftsman-inspired inn located across from the University of Virginia.
There are over 36 elegantly designed boutique rooms, all of which were carefully renovated in 2014 and now feature mid-century decor. Hardwood floors, custom beds with fine linens, and classic touches throughout the room will make you fall in love with this place instantly.
Each accommodation is also equipped with a private European-style bathroom. Free Wi-Fi and cable TV are available in all rooms. Other amenities inside the 4-star hotel include four on-site libraries, a modern bistro dishing out Southern fare prepared with local ingredients, and a bar offering artisanal cocktails.
Address: 122 Oakhurst Cir, Charlottesville, VA 22903, United States
To book, check prices or availability for Oakhurst Inn
5. Boar’s Head Resort – this modern high-end resort set on a 573-acre country estate is the official hotel of the University of Virginia
There’s no shortage of luxurious amenities at this official hotel of the University of Virginia. Spanning 573 acres of countryside terrains, Boar’s Head Resort is only three miles from the University. The hotel beautifully combines historic elegance with Southern charm to make your stay unforgettable.
Tasteful rooms feature antique decor accented by contemporary furnishings. Private balconies, fireplaces, cable TVs, and fridges are available in all rooms.
Dine at Birdwood Bar & Grill to revel in serene golf course views or try farm-to-table dishes at The Mill Room. With an 18-hole golf course, three pools, a fitness center, a meeting space, and indoor and outdoor tennis courts, Boar’s Head Resort is one of the coolest hotels in Charlottesville.
Address: 200 Ednam Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22903, United States
6. 200 South Street Inn – a cozy, charming and romantic B&B housed in a historic house located near local attractions
This lovely B&B set in two Victorian-era homes on West Street is meticulously designed to make you feel at home.
Warmly decorated rooms and suites at 200 South Street Inn feature vibrant colors, antique furniture, and modern accents. Each unit comes with an en-suite bathroom, a cable TV, and free Wi-Fi. Guests sojourning in upgraded rooms or suites enjoy high-end amenities like fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, canopy beds, and flat-screen TVs.
Complimentary peaks include wine and cheese in the afternoon. Breakfast, on the other, is offered for a fee in the library or on a garden patio.
Address: 200 West St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, United States
7. Omni Charlottesville Hotel – a charming and sophisticated hotel set in Charlottesville’s downtown
A polished, all-suite hotel offering you a home away from home in the historic downtown district, one mile from the University of Virginia.
Modest rooms at the 4-star hotel feature 32-inch flat-screen TVs, premium bedding, and Italian marble bathrooms with spa-style baths. You’ll see how traditional furnishings come together to give a modern touch.
Satisfy your appetite at The Pointe Restaurant & Bar dishing out a great selection of salads, soups, and sandwiches in a seven-story atrium. Indulge in exquisite mountain views from your bedroom while having your morning coffee and then head to the fitness center to work up a sweat.
Address: 212 Ridge McIntire Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903, United States
8. Fairhaven Guesthouse – a quirky-chic inn ideal for nature lovers
It’s hard to beat the homey ambiance of this straightforward B&Blocated within a walking distance of Pantops Shopping Center. You can choose from three modest, brightly decorated rooms with hardwood floors and all basic amenities.
If you are in Charlottesville for a long time and would like to cook meals for yourself from time to time, you can do it in Fairhaven Guesthouse’s communal kitchen. There’s also a screened porch and deck looking across the exquisite gardens of the property.
Address: 413 Fairway Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22902, United States
9. Inn at Court Square – a romantic vintage-chic boutique hotel ideal for couples
Set in two beautiful Federal-style veteran homes on Jefferson Street, Inn at Court Square is where you get to see the true colors of Southern hospitality. It is less than a mile from the University of Virginia, with all downtown attractions accessible within a short walk.
Stylish, antiques-laden rooms at this 4-star hotel are outfitted with en-suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and TVs. If you have a long stay in Charlottesville, you should upgrade to enjoy upscale amenities like fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and/or 4-poster beds. Separate living areas, private patios, and porch access are available for guests lodging in fancy suites.
All guests receive wine and homemade cookies upon arrival. Though you are only minutes away from the coolest downtown restaurants, local dishes served at the on-site restaurant are worth trying.
Address: 410 E Jefferson St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, United States
10. The English Inn of Charlottesville – a traditional British-style themed hotel with a Tudor-inspired facade
The English Inn of Charlottesville is a perfect pick for those looking for seclusion while staying close to downtown attractions. Located less than two miles from the University of Virginia, it is a 10-minute drive from Charlottesville Albemarle Airport.
Traditionally decorated rooms at plush inn feature a host of amenities, including microwaves, coffee makers, and mini-fridges. Upgrade to a suite if you want to access a private kitchenette or a full kitchen with a dining area.
Freebies include in-room Wi-Fi access, a breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, access to a local gym, and an airport shuttle. The hotel also boasts a sauna, an indoor pool, and a fitness center.
Address: 2000 Morton Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22903, United States
Scott started his travelling life back in 1999, when he headed off on a solo jaunt to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia with just a backpack, a camera and a spirit for adventure. After that, the travel bug bit hard and now he is always seeking to head off somewhere new. Over the years he has lived in Italy, Qatar, Ireland, UK and the US but his spiritual home will always be Rome as this is the city which most satisfies his unrelenting craving for culture, good food and great football. Scott loves nothing better than to be behind the camera and also runs his own blog and Instagram page. He also counts Melbourne, Cape Town and Tel Aviv among his favourite places. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @scottbalaam
