4 Best Hotels in Central and Western Virginia, Virginia

Chef-owner Alain Borel and his wife Celeste of Avignon, France, bring the warm elegance of the south of France to this 1750s country inn, originally a sheep farm owned by Lord Fairfax. Rooms are eclectically decorated with French art and fabrics, and Victorian wicker and antiques; some even have fireplaces. Breakfast includes fresh homemade croissants and apple crepes with maple syrup. This is considered one of the most romantic inns in Virginia; the restaurant is highly popular on its own as well.

Set on 55 acres in west Charlottesville, this local landmark resembles an English country inn, with flower gardens, ponds, and a gristmill from 1834. Rooms have king-size four-poster beds and Italian linens, and many are decked out with balconies or fireplaces. There are lots of activities hosted here, from cooking classes and wine tastings, to hot-air ballooning. The Old Mill Room restaurant, the Inn's fine dining outlet, is open for a lunch buffet and dinner, while Bistro 1834 and the Birdwood Grill offer more casual fare.

Constructed as a private house in 1832, turned into a college dormitory in 1860, and then used as a field hospital during the Civil War, the Martha Washington finally became an inn in 1935. Across from the Barter Theatre, the inn has rooms furnished with Victorian antiques; some have fireplaces and all have flat-screens and even the odd touch of phones in the bathroom. A natatorium, pool, and full-service spa add to the old-world luxury. There is a daily resort fee, which includes breakfast, morning coffee, afternoon tea, Wi-Fi, access to the fitness center, and shuttle service to the Virginia Highlands Airport.

For centuries, American glitterati have retreated to this genteel Southern resort to soak in the healing springs and pursue their recreational passions. While the grand lobby still reflects the elegance and formality of the early 19th century, The Homestead has a casual atmosphere that caters to outdoor enthusiasts. Daytime activities include far more than shuffleboard: there are three championship-grade 18-hole golf courses, 4 miles of streams stocked with rainbow trout, 100 miles of riding trails, skeet and trap shooting, and nine ski slopes (The Homestead was the site of the South's first downhill skiing in 1959). The venue has evolved from a country spa to a 15,000-acre resort-and-conference facility. Rooms in the sprawling redbrick building, built in 1891, have Georgian-style furnishings; some have fireplaces. European-style meal plans are a better value than paying just the room rate.