My travel marathon continued last weekend with an overnight trip down to my hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Usually when I go down to Richmond it’s over a holiday, I’m fighting traffic all the way there, and then it’s a complete whirlwind until I head back. This time around, Adam and I decided to take the train down on a Saturday morning and have a leisurely weekend in RVA until late Sunday afternoon.
A CLASSIC RICHMOND EXPERIENCE
We stayed at the lovely Jefferson Hotel located on West Franklin St. in Monroe Ward. I had been to The Jefferson many times over the years—dinner following Cotillion Holly Ball when I was little, drinks after friends’ weddings in recent years, just a couple months ago to see the Christmas decorations—but I had never actually stayed at this Richmond landmark, so I was thrilled to have the chance to check it out!
A HOTEL WITH HISTORY
The hotel, which dates back to 1895, was renovated over the past few years and the rooms are gorgeous, spacious, and perfectly thought out down to every last detail (the alligator pulls on the nightstands are a quirky and appreciated touch!). I could not get enough of the bathroom. Can the bathroom in my future home please look like this? I need a bathroom in calming grays and blues with a soaking tub and a big walk in shower.
The room was so comfortable, homey, and luxurious all at the same time that we made the executive decision to order room service and lounge around in robes rather than make it to our 9:30 dinner reservation. You just can’t beat eating a burger from the Lemaire kitchen while relaxing in bed. Of course if you do decide to leave the room, the hotel itself is stunning, the restaurants are top notch, and I love just grabbing a drink at TJ’s bar. Don’t miss the statue of an alligator outside the front entrance. It’s an ode to the alligators that lived in the hotel fountain until 1948.
WHILE YOU’RE IN THE AREA
So beyond the amazing hotel experience, what else did we do in Richmond? We started Saturday off with a quick stroll through Jackson Ward and checking out a few of the local Richmond makers in a pop up shop before spening an afternoon drinking al fresco at Ardent Brewery in Scott’s Addition right up until a hailstorm moved in. The evening ended at Stella’s where we had yummy cocktails and an amazing plate of flaming cheese. Sunday morning, we joined my parents for brunch at Pearl, where, yes, I got seafood, but I would also recommend ordering the chocolate chip pancakes for the table.
Richmond is an easy weekend getaway trip from Washington, and really anywhere in the mid-Atlantic or South. With all the art, culture, and food that’s popping up around the city, you’ll find yourself with endless options of restaurants and neighborhoods to explore. And, of course, I would recommend staying at The Jefferson while you’re there.
Thank you to The Jefferson for hosting me for an overnight stay. All opinions are my own.
