3 Best Hotels in Central and Western Virginia, Virginia

What began as a small-town eatery in 1978 has grown into a legendary establishment. The rich interior of the three-story white-frame inn is the work of Joyce Conway-Evans, who has designed theatrical sets and rooms in English royal houses. Plush canopy beds, marble bathrooms, and fresh flowers make the rooms sumptuous. If you need more space, the Inn also has two luxurious cottages: the 3,200 square foot Claiborne House and the smaller but equally charming Gamekeeper's Cottage, both steps from the main inn. Chef Patrick O'Connell's much-loved New American food is served in a slate-floor dining room with William Morris wallpaper, and his restaurant consistently wins respect from international critics. Gourmands can reserve a seat at the Chef's Table to watch the kitchen in action.

If you've got the money for it, this 1912 Tuscan villa on 600 lush acres 5 miles east of Charlottesville is a luxurious, cosmopolitan retreat. The 48 guest rooms and suites contain modern amenities like high-speed Internet and flat screen TVs, which exist in harmony among English and American antiques and claw-foot tubs. Some rooms have whirlpool baths and balconies. The 18-hole golf course designed by Pete Dye, spreads across the rear of the estate. There's no check-in desk here; you are welcomed inside as if you're entering someone's home.

This small inn is the ultimate in luxury, with top-shelf amenities like Mascioni linens and robes, and Molton Brown toiletries. There are 18 uniquely appointed rooms and suites situated on 100 acres, offering spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Many of the rooms are named to reflect the property's ties to the Jefferson family. About 350 acres passed to Thomas Jefferson's daughter and her husband, Thomas Mann Randolph, who established their home, Edgehill, on the property. The foundations of the main building are thought to be the original foundations of one of Mann's warehouses. The Inn is also known for its excellent restaurant.