Murray On Travel

Compared to more popular U.S. cities such as New York or Las Vegas, Charlottesville, Virginia and Clifton Inn can seem like such a secluded destination. It is not as packed with people as many of the more well-known cities, but it is still recognized as a tourist’s haven, especially since this is where tourists flock to visit Thomas Jefferson’s house. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and innate Southern charm also make Charlottesville such an attractive city to visit.

Clifton Inn is an excellent choice of accommodation should you find yourself in the city. Aside from having combined world-class luxury and style with a very cozy and welcoming atmosphere, it’s also strategically located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you are looking for a peaceful location but at the same time expect excellent service, the Clifton Inn is just the right place for you.

At the Clifton Inn, no two suites are exactly alike. Each has its own distinct character and design. The Martha Jefferson Suite, Thomas Jefferson Suite, and Rivanna Suite are just some of the accommodations that you can choose from. If you’re coming with your significant other, you can also book the Honeymoon Cottage, which is both spacious and intimate at the same time.

You can be assured that no matter what room you choose, you will be enjoying a comfortable bed covered in luxury linens, as well as well-appointed living spaces. Some of the suites also have their own claw-foot tubs as an additional feature, so if this is something you like, do inquire with the hotel staff regarding availability of such suites.

Staying at Clifton Inn can be so much more than having a place to rest your head at the end of the day though. In fact, the hotel’s “Stay Enhancements,” which include Historical and Presidential tours, as well as massage services and “encounters” with famous personalities such as James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson, can make your stay even more memorable.

With regards to your dining options, the culinary team at Clifton Inn offers a wide variety of sumptuous dishes. You can even get up close and personal by booking a spot at the chef’s counter. For small gatherings, the Wine Cellar is the ideal place to converge and enjoy a delicious meal.

All guests are already in for a great experience which includes breakfast, tea, and a welcome basket of fruit, Madeira, and bottled water. If you want to make your experience even more unforgettable, then you are certainly welcome to do so, and at reasonable rates, by availing of one of Clifton Inn’s special packages such as the Savor Package which includes a four-course dinner for two and a cookbook. Visit Inn's website.

There are other special packages as well that are also made available depending on the time of year, so it is a good idea to check with the inn and find out if there are any offerings during your intended stay.

The natural beauty of the surroundings as well as the charm and luxury of the inn itself make Clifton a great venue for weddings. The best thing about it is that aside from accommodating 200 guests, the hotel is also able to handle all logistical issues so that the couple can actually relax and enjoy the most important day of their lives.

Meeting spaces are also available for those who would like to get out of the regular boardroom and stimulate employee creativity. The environment of the inn itself is in fact very conducive to clear thinking and brainstorming. The staff of the Clifton Inn will handle your audio-visual requirements and provide a complimentary beverage service.

Whether you are visiting in Charlottesville, Virginia for a vacation or for professional purposes, nothing should stop you from being able to enjoy the famous charm of the South, excellent service, and luxurious accommodations and amenities—as long as you are booked at Clifton Inn. Photos provided by the property.

Right in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, is a stunning 18th century luxury hotel called The Jefferson. Designed by the team which also built the New York public library, this award-winning structure blends Italian Renaissance with Beaux Arts architectural style, with its ornate balconies, porticos, and Italian clock tower. 

Faux-marble columns can be seen in the original lobby which leads to the hotels Grand Staircase, reportedly the inspiration in Margarett Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind, and the site of hundreds of wedding pictorials through the years. From the reception area of the Palm Court lobby, the life-sized marble statue of Thomas Jefferson can be seen, highlighted by sunlight coming through a stained-glass dome made of Tiffany glass.


The Jefferson has 262 guestrooms and suites, each traditionally designed in one of the 57 different residential styles used by architectural firm Carrère and Hastings. All rooms have high ceilings and tall windows, decorations of 18th century reproductions, artwork, and plush carpeting.  Hotel Website.

This rich residential look is combined with modern conveniences too, like Egyptian cotton linens in ultra-soft featherbeds, free wireless Internet access, an in-room safe, a cable TV, a mini-bar, and dual-line telephones. The marbled bathrooms are as luxurious, with its Molton Brown bath supplies and lighted mirrors.


From the first time it opened in 1895 up to present, The Jefferson has hosted hundreds of weddings. Countless brides have had their pictures taken in the Grand Staircase. The hotel can accommodate 500 persons for the reception, and there are wedding consultants that can help the couple iron out their wedding details. The hotel also provides a special wedding cake, butler service, florist and photography service, bands, and even horse-drawn carriages for the bride to arrive in style.

Meetings and conventions are held at The Jefferson too. It has more than 26,000 square feet of meeting space, including the Grand Ballroom, the Flemish Room, the five President's Hallway breakout rooms and the Washington Boardroom.  Learn more about Richmond.


The Jefferson has one of the best restaurants in the US, the Lemaire, which had been named after Etienne Lemaire, Thomas Jefferson’s maitre d’hotel during his reign as president. With its present award-winning Chef Walter Bundy, Lemaire offers a culinary experience featuring Virginia-grown ingredients.

Sunday brunches can be had by guests on the Rotunda, and afternoon tea is served Thursday to Sunday around Jefferson’s statue. T.J. is another highly touted restaurant for its Mediterranean and Asian-inspired meals. Though more relaxed than the Lemaire, it doesn’t lack in terms of its variety of offerings. It also has a range of choices of wines served by the glass and premium cigars.


Among the numerous things that guests appreciate in their stay at The Jefferson is the amenities and the services that the hotel extends its guests. It has a swimming pool inside, free transportation to downtown Richmond, a business center, a gift shop, a florist, and a full-service fitness center. There is a variety of hair and skin pampering services, too, as well as free classes at the YMCA across the hotel.

The Jefferson is pet-friendly, and guests with children can also request babysitting services as well as a crib inside the room. There is also the highly-appreciated evening turndown service; according to some guests, nothing beat the experience of going back to the hotel at night and finding everything in place, with soft, classical music playing in the background.

The Jefferson Hotel has been called the epitome of southern elegance, and with its Mobil Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Hotel rating, this luxurious, historical hotel certainly lives up to its reputation.