We are going down to visit the University of Richmond this spring. I was looking for a family-friendly recommendation near campus. We will have our 2 kids with us, so maybe a suite hotel so they can be on a pull-out and my husband and I can have our own room? Looking for quiet, clean, and close to campus.......I see alot of hotels on Travelocity, but hoping for a personal recommendation - thanks!

There's a relatively new (within the last year or two) Westin on Broad Street that's not too far away, but I'm not sure whether they have suites. There's also an Embassy Suites on Broad Street, but it's been there forever so I recommend that you check tripadvisor.com on that one. If you don't mind being a little farther away, the Short Pump area has an upscale mall that has a very nice Hotel Sierra (I think they have suites or something similar). There's also a brand new Hilton in Short Pump. There are others around, too - some good and some not-so-good.

There's also a Hampton Inn and Suites on Glenside Dr. that's not too far from campus.

It is not a great area for hotels, but I think the Glenside location is excellent for U of R, and there are clear direction signs to the University on Glenside Drive.

Hampton Inns are a tossup. Some are fantastic (Coconut Grove, Savannah Historic District, White Marsh near Baltimore), some pretty grim (Milford, CT). Tripadvisor is good advice as would be asking the Admissions Office for their recommendations.

Short Pump is pretty far out and, to me, depressing. It looks just like every similar area anywhere in the country. You might as well be in Las Vegas.

There is also a Marriot Courtyard on Broad just east of Glenside.

Since it's a short hop to downtown, I'd probably stay there and hit some of the restaurants and get the feel of Richmond. There is a Radison on Franklin that is very close to The Jefferson Hotel (which is worth seeing even if you aren't staying there) and there are good restaurants (Lemaire at the Jefferson and Comfort on Broad) within walking distance.

Agree on Short Pump - its a depressing collection of "nice" strip malls. Looks like anywhere else in America with the same stores, ie lots of parking lots in front of stores, no charm whatsoever.

We live near U of R and, yes, there are not many hotels for a family nearby. I would suggest the Embassy Suites after a check on Tripadvisor for ratings. It will be the most convenient, with an ample breakfast and an indoor pool, also. There is Residence Inn near there, too, that may be worth checking into. It's a beautiful school in a lovely area.

We have stayed at the Embassy Suites while visiting family, and except for the really terrrible coffee, it is comfortable and the staff are pleasant and helpful. The suites are approaching a need for renovation -- not wrecked but tiring -- and you might leave one of the party in the lobby with the bags while the pickiest person in the group satisifies him/herself that s/he doesn't need to ask for a different room.