Has anybody stayed at the Cliffton Inn (or similar name) near Charlottesville? How are the lodgings, the food, and what outdoors activities can you do? And how would it compare to the Boar's Head Inn? We're looking for an active short getaway (3 nights) but still want a romantic (and casually elegant atmosphere). Thank you!

We spent a very enjoyable weekend at the Boar's Inn last fall. Loved Charlottesville. From what I've heard the Inn in Clifton is supposedly very romantic and more intimate than the Boar's Head Inn.

Dear Tessa

Dear Tessa - Hit the wrong key, excuse me...I know nothing of the Cliffton Inn I can relate to the Boar's Head only of many years ago. We and our children (12 and 16) had a wonderful time there. The lodgings were good, the food was good, but we as a family enjoyed the time together and that's what made it wonderful. I still remember my husband and myself being at at a table and having drinks delivered to our table from our children. We looked at one of the windows..and there they were..smiling...I guess what I'm saying is it does not matter so much where you are it is who cares and love you.

We spent our anniversary at Clifton Country Inn. My wife loved it --- so did I.

Don't know about Clifton Inn, but my husband and I spent a honeymoon weekend, and several return trips, at the Boars Head Inn. It's both an intimate inn and a bit of a resort, in that there is a large indoor tennis facility, and a spa (massage, facial, etc.) on the grounds, but a distance from the Inn itself. The grounds are BEAUTIFUL, the restaurant excellent. There are a number of different kinds of rooms, from antique-filled old rooms with fireplaces, to rooms in the inn proper, to newer suites connected to the old Inn (large, and luxurious). In the country but convenient to everything Charlottesville has to offer. Check out the website.

very familiar with both. Clifton Inn - smaller, cuter, more intimate. Boars head - larger and more hotel like, but more activities (ie golf and Tennis). I have, and will stay at the Clifton in preference, but I don't care about the golf and tennis. Cliftons food is also better, though there is (or was) better still in town.

Thank you for all the great feedback. Sounds like both places would be great and we just have to decide what we're lookin gfor. Charles, which restaurants in Charlottesville do you think are worth checking out?
We don't care about the golf but the spa sounds tempting!

We have a student at UVA and have stayed at Boars Head for the past 2 years. Also have stayed at Keswick Inn, which is outside Charlottesville. The food at Boars Head is probably the best we have had in charlottesville. The dining room is clubby. The rooms are very nice and we prefer the 600/700 rooms, which have a view of the lake (just there last weekend and lake however was drained). The place is popular and is already booked for graduation '03. Golf is great at Birdswood, which is one of the top10 university golf courses in US. Has a nice pro shop also. Driving range was filled this past Sun. (and there were snow showers). Competitive course and back 9 is very woodsy. Highly recommend Boars Head and will miss it after graduation.

I had a reservation for 2 nights. They tried to give me suite 1132, but my wife refused to stay in it. It was dirty, worn out and the fireplace smelled so badly of creosote that I had to open the windows. The sliding glass door to the balcony was so clouded that when open, I couldn't see through it. There were grease marks on the couch and chairs.

My replacement suite was barely any better. The night was 32 degrees and there was no heat. Charlottesville desparately needs a quality hotel. This hotel is being milked by the University of Virginia, the owners, of every last dollar. Nothing but a complete renovation will reverse this downward spiral. Look elsewhere!