Richmond is a place where history, culture, and natural beauty intersect. The capital city of Virginia is located along the James River, so you can take a morning stroll with some scenic views. Then you can walk up the hill to a downtown filled with stories from the Civil War or head out to Short Pump for a day of shopping. What you want to do might help determine where to stay in Richmond.
In addition to the many historical buildings and museums, there is a surprisingly great food scene as well. And the neighborhood of Scott’s Addition is one of the best areas for breweries and BBQ on the entire east coast.
Whether you want to stay near the historical sites of downtown Richmond or on the outskirts, are looking for luxury or budget accommodations, these are the best hotels in Richmond to satisfy what you’re looking for.
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Best Hotels Overview
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Richmond
The Charm of Downtown Richmond
This is almost certainly where you will stay if you are visiting Richmond to explore the city. Downtown Richmond combines a rich history with a concentration of great restaurants and bars. Plus, it is a central location to get pretty much anywhere.
This is where most of the top hotels are located, including the luxurious Jefferson Hotel, the historical Linden Row Inn, or modern hotels like Moxy or the Quirk Hotel.
This area also hosts many art galleries and museums, including the renowned Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the American Civil War Museum, and the Poe Museum.
Downtown includes such neighborhoods of Monroe Ward, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, and Jackson Ward. And it is sandwiched by the Fan District to the west and Church Hill to the east, both of which contain some of my favorite brunch and dinner restaurants. It’s also fairly close to Scott’s Addition, a neighborhood filled with breweries, BBQ, and other great food.
Short Pump - A Shopping Paradise
Short Pump is a wealthy suburban area to the west of Richmond. If you don’t care to be near downtown and prefer retail therapy, then Short Pump might be worth considering.
There are vast shopping centers filled with everything from boutique fashion stores to home decor outlets. Short Pump Town Center is an open-air shopping center with over 140 shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
Accommodations are less interesting than the historic and trendy hotels downtown. The Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa is the nicest. But there is a plethora of mid-level hotel options such as Hyatt House and Marriott as well as several budget options that include Holiday Inn Express.
Richmond Airport
Let me honest, this area is generally for people in town for business and want convenient access to the airport. Or I suppose it works for people traveling on Rt 295 and want a hotel right off the highway. Depending on traffic, this is really only about 20 minutes from downtown Richmond, but it just feels further. If you want to stay in this area, then the Hyatt Place, Four Points Sheraton, or Holiday Inn Express are all decent options.
Best Luxury Hotel in Richmond
To put it bluntly, the Jefferson Hotel is easily the best luxury hotel in Richmond. Known for its opulent grandeur, marble floors, and stained-glass windows, this hotel is truly one-of-a-kind. This luxurious choice offers beautiful rooms with all modern amenities that’ll make your stay unforgettable.
But the hotel is also a testament to the history of Richmond. Since opening in 1895, many former U.S. Presidents from Benjamin Harrison to Barrack Obama have stayed at the Jefferson Hotel. It’s also hosted a long list of A-list actors, world leaders, authors, and other notable people. It was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1969 and considered to be among the finest examples of Beaux Arts style in existence.
An indoor pool was added in 2000. And the hotel is also home to Lemaire, one of Richmond’s best restaurants. Afternoon tea is offered on Friday and Saturday afternoons at an additional cost and the Champagne Sunday brunch is extremely popular. Reservations are required for the Sunday brunch.
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The Jefferson Hotel at a Glance
Pros
- Most luxurious hotel in Richmond
- Indoor pool
- Top tier dining and Champagne Sunday brunch
Cons
- Most expensive hotel in Richmond
Modern Hotels in Downtown Richmond
A stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Richmond, Quirk Hotel is a modern hotel with a chic ambiance. It’s within easy reach of popular attractions like Virginia Capitol Building, museums, and various art galleries. And it even has its own gallery hosting rotating art exhibits.
But one of the great things is that the Quick Hotel has one of the best rooftop bars in Richmond (and actually one of the few that has one). So, you can grab cocktails and small plates while enjoying a view of the city.
The Quirk offers free Wi-Fi throughout, and has a large lobby with tables, making it ideal for people visiting for business as well. The coffee bar is open for breakfast and lunch, and then the lobby bar opens int eh afternoon for cocktails and dinner.
Quirk is an ideal choice if you want to be at the center of action while exploring Richmond.
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Quirk Hotel at a Glance
Pros
- Rooftop bar
- Great for business travelers
Cons
- Valet parking is fairly expensive, otherwise a public self-parking lot is nearby
The Moxy Hotel brand sets out to create a fun and playful atmosphere, and this is true at the Richmond location. The vibrant atmosphere starts with the check-in at the bar with a free welcome drink, continues into the lobby that is set up as a social area, and eventually to the lively bar in the evenings.
The guest rooms are quite small and have unique setups that include queen sized, bunk beds, and even lofted beds. There is also a small gym.
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Moxy Hotel at a Glance
Pros
- Fun and trendy hotel, often with a younger clientele
- Lively lobby and evening bar
- Opened in 2022 so it’s new and clean
Cons
- Can be louder in the evening
- Small guest rooms
- Not ideal for business travelers
Historic & Budget Hotel in Downtown
Linden Row Inn, tucked away in Monroe Ward district beside downtown, is another great option if you want to experience Richmond’s old-world charm. Housed inside seven row houses dating back to the mid-19th century with well-preserved antebellum architecture; this inn provides guests with a living piece of history itself.
The guest rooms and the large Parlour Suites are furnished with antiques from the middle and late 1800s.
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Linden Row Inn at a Glance
Pros
- Very reasonably priced option
- Historic boutique-style inn
Cons
- Limited amenities such as no pool or gym
- No onsite parking, but public parking garage is located one block away fat a very reasonable $7 per day
Short Pump Hotels
For a more suburban feel outside the city limits, the Richmond Hilton Hotel & Spa might be for you.
Since it’s located to the west of Richmond, the airport to the east is a bit further away – assume 40 minutes depending on traffic. But if you’re driving to town and are ok with the location, this is a great choice for those desiring high-end comforts and amenities.
This hotel has spacious rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center, and full-service spa. Plus, there is an onsite restaurant for breakfast, a small cafe, and an attached Shula’s steakhouse for a great dinner. The Short Pump Town Center is just a short walk away for shopping and other dining options.
And unlike inner city hotels, parking is free.
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Hilton Hotel & Spa at a Glance
Pros
- Has great amenities
- Free parking
- Near shopping and dining
- Good for business travelers who drive and don’t need to stay in the city
Cons
- Far from the airport
- Will have to drive or Uber to downtown
