The Best Hotels in Lexington, Virginia, for Every Traveler

You may have stayed in a Hampton Inn before, but it most likely wasn’t a historic landmark. While this one is modern, it has an ace up its sleeve; within its seven acres (3ha) of grounds lies the Col Alto Mansion, with 10 restored manor rooms. Popular Hampton Inn amenities include an outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast and a fitness center. This historic hotel that marries familiarity with a refined twist is also just a five-minute drive from downtown Lexington.

There’s nothing like spending a night on Main Street, holed up in one of the Georges’ three buildings. It’s a good-looking place from the first glimpse, with its heavy Tuscan-style cornicing, and each custom-designed guest room features Frette linen and robes, an elegant bathroom with a walk-in shower and gorgeous views. Each building also has a restaurant where you can taste local flavors. After taking a stroll along Main Street to admire the many boutique shops and galleries, visit Haywood’s Piano Bar & Grill for Chesapeake oysters.

“Eclectic eats, spirited drinks and a good night’s sleep” – that’s the mission statement at this cute little restaurant and inn (formerly the Sheridan Livery Inn) in a historic building that was once a post office and a stable. The lunch and dinner menu includes mouthwatering chickpea fritters, shrimp and grits, and slow-cooked pork ribs, while for brunch, you’ll find eggs benedict, chicken and waffles, and more. After dinner, there are 12 rooms and suites to relax in. After a good night’s rest, take a short walk to the heart of downtown Lexington to sample the freshest local ingredients at Main Street’s restaurants.

Banish workaday worries at Abigail Inn, a grand, pillared residence built in 1928 as a fraternity house for Washington and Lee University. The remodeled building now brims with modern conveniences, yet it has sacrificed none of its character and charm in its stately rooms with rich furnishings. The quiet neighborhood is a must-wander, and the area is rich in hiking trails. If you want more action, explore the greater Shenandoah Valley area for many adventures, including golfing, shopping and plenty of sightseeing.

While it was a church over a century ago, Grace House is now a luxury bed and breakfast emanating peace and tranquility, with whirring fans. The claw-foot tub in the Paradise Suite, the private veranda in the Arbor Room, and the light-filled Sunshine Room are some of the amenities you can look forward to when you stay here for a night or two. No matter which room you choose, the sunset views from the outdoor porch are yours to savor evening after evening.

The Country Inn and Suites by Radisson has a broad appeal that lures every kind of traveler, whether they’re touring the Washington and Lee University campus, visiting a loved one at Virginia Military Institute or heading to the Natural Bridge State Park for a little time away. After a bracing pool swim, the ski-lodge-style lobby is a beauty to relax in, with its stone fireplace and shaker-chic furniture. If you book the king room with a whirlpool, you can enjoy a soak with someone special before bed. Food-wise, the hotel offers a free breakfast buffet and snacks throughout the day.

Rules are rules – however informal – and you can’t stay at the Gin Hotel if you don’t have a craft gin drink in its Juniper Lounge. After a lovely potent gargle or two, step out of this restored historic hotel to nose around the shops that make downtown Lexington such a special place. When you return to your suite – impressively equipped with a kitchen and a washer and dryer that make it ideal for an extended stay – you’ll be content just gazing through the panes at the dramatic Blue Ridge Mountains.

Big-city stresses melt like cream into hot chocolate at the warm and welcoming Wingate by Wyndham Lexington. This hotel is a perfect base for a family vacation, as it’s minutes away from the all-terrain-vehicle trails in George Washington National Forest and the wild animals at Virginia Safari Park. A free breakfast buffet, an indoor pool and generously proportioned family rooms with cribs help maximize the cozy atmosphere for families of all ages and sizes.

It’s been spruced up with modern conveniences, but Frog Hollow Bed and Breakfast still feels lodged in the 1800s. In a rocking chair on the porch, you’ll lose all sense of time; in the garden gazebo under a historical box elder tree, it could be another century. Suites are unique, with hand-painted furniture and heirloom furnishings that you can quiz the lovely owners about over chocolates and refreshments in the atrium. When you hear the call of the great outdoors, you can be in downtown Lexington or on a hiking trail within the Shenandoah Valley in a matter of minutes.