and looking for accomodation suggestions. I have checked on the Martha Washington Inn. Any other ideas? We will need two rooms for adult couples and one room for kids.
Thanks!

There are several chain motels as well as B&B-type places in Abingdon, Va. The public areas of the Martha Washington Inn are beautiful, but I can't speak for their rooms (however I have heard that many are small, which is not surprising for a historic inn).

What type of place are you looking for? What is your budget? Are you looking to splurge on a special experience, or do you just want a place to lay your heads? Once we know the answers to those questions, we can help steer you in the best direction.

When you get to Abingdon don;t be surpirsed to find that a lot of people simply refer to the place as "The Martha."

We've stayed a couple of times and both times the rooms we had were of decent size; they weren't the most expensive and not the cheapest, either. Very richly decorated.

Great place to stay if you enjoy that sort of thing but I am sure not THE only place to stay in the area, either.

The most expensive room available for the time of our visit at the Martha Washington is $200. That is affordable for us and our first choice for the reasons Intrepid notes. Since we are travelling with another couple who will want two rooms (one for them and another for the children) I would like to give them a choice. I have looked at both the chains and the b and b's shown on the Creeper website. I have a general preference for a b and b over a chain unless there is a real negative . The non negotiables: clean, comfortable beds, en suite bathroom, and decent breakfast. The Apple Tree BandB looked fine on the web; but, I would like to hear some personal recommendations.
Thanks for responding.

Anyone?

Bumping ... I can't help much as Abingdon is so close to home I've never needed to stay in a hotel there (although The Martha has beckoned a few times).

See a play at the Barter if you have time. Or if movies are more your style, the Cinemall in Abingdon is one of the best theaters you'll find anywhere. It's an independently owned place and the owner really takes pride in excellent presentation. Folks from LucasFilm were in the house for the opening of the most recent Star Wars picture.

Thanks, Rae.

Cmcfong..topping this for you in case there are other potential responders but I suspect "The Martha" is beckoning you, as well..give in to it and make this a memorable trip (agree about the Barter, also).

Check out The Martha's peacocks on the lawn while there.

No question the Martha got my vote. Peacocks and a spa? What's not to love? But....just in case there is a really great spot there which just isn't as well known....
Thanks, Intrepid.

One last shot for alternatives to the Martha other than the chains.
Thanks.

There's a big Holiday Inn at Exit 7 in Bristol, Va. (Abingdon is at Exits 14-19). Everything else in the area is either a motel or a B&B I'm afraid. I think there are also rental cabins in the region. Have you checked the Damascus, Va., area since you'll be doing the Creeper Trail? Most Creeper Trail trips begin and end at Damascus, even though the trail goes to Abingdon. The Abingdon-Damascus portion of the trail is more difficult than other.

Oh, the Martha is just wonderful. Just do it!

Thanks, Rae and Starrsville! I appreciate it.

Have a great time! Be sure to post a review of the Martha Washington Inn or wherever you end up staying.

I am looking forward to seeing "The Philadelphia Story" at the Barter in July.

Hi cmcfong---when I saw "biking a trail" I couldn't resist looking at the website---it looks like a lovely trip! Where do you start and end, and how many days do you allow?

Enzian

Hi Enzian. It is about three hours from our house and it looks like a fun overnight for us. We will do the trail in one day and use the day before to explore Abingdon. It will be a gorgeous place to spend some time.
We do the New River Trail which is about forty five minutes from the house frequently. Love these flat, wooded trails. www.state.va.us/dcr/parks/newriver.htm

When do you leave for Europe?
Cheers.

PS Enzian, I will send you some photos and a trip report. We are going up the first week in August.