Richmond is a city where history, culture, and natural beauty come together. As the capital of Virginia, it sits along the James River, offering scenic river walks in the morning and a downtown filled with Civil War history, museums, and historic architecture. If shopping is more your style, areas like Short Pump provide plenty of options. What you plan to do in the city will largely determine where you should stay in Richmond.
Beyond its historic sites, Richmond also has a surprisingly strong food and drink scene. Neighborhoods like Scott’s Addition have become hubs for breweries, barbecue, and some of the city’s best restaurants.
Whether you’re looking to stay near downtown’s historic attractions, along the river, or closer to shopping and nightlife, this guide to the best hotels in Richmond covers luxury, mid-range, and budget options to help you find the right fit.
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Best Hotels Overview
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Richmond
Downtown Richmond: Best for First-Time Visitors
Downtown Richmond is the most convenient area to stay if you’re visiting to explore the city’s historic sites, museums, and restaurant scene. It blends Civil War history, walkable streets, and easy access to many of the city’s top attractions, making it an ideal base for first-time visitors.
Many of the city’s most well-known hotels are located here, including the luxurious Jefferson Hotel, the historic Linden Row Inn, and newer, modern options like The Moxy and Quirk Hotel.
Downtown is also close to several major cultural institutions, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the American Civil War Museum, and the Poe Museum.
The broader downtown area includes neighborhoods such as Monroe Ward, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, and Jackson Ward. To the west, you’ll find the Fan District, known for its historic row homes and excellent dining. To the east is Church Hill, one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods with standout brunch and dinner spots. Scott’s Addition — packed with breweries, barbecue, and casual food options — is just a short drive away.
Short Pump: Best for Shopping & Suburban Convenience
Short Pump is an affluent suburban area west of Richmond. If being close to downtown isn’t a priority and you’d prefer easy access to major shopping centers, restaurants, and chain hotels, this area is worth considering.
The centerpiece is Short Pump Town Center, an open-air shopping complex with more than 140 stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. Surrounding it are additional shopping plazas, national retailers, and casual dining spots.
Accommodations here are more practical than historic or boutique. The Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa is the most upscale option in the area, while several reliable mid-range hotels, including Hyatt House and others that cater to business travelers and families. Budget-friendly choices like Holiday Inn Express are also widely available.
Short Pump is best suited for visitors prioritizing convenience, shopping, or business travel rather than walkability or historic charm.
Richmond Airport: Best for Convenience & Quick Access
Let’s be honest, this area is primarily for business travelers or anyone who wants easy access to Richmond International Airport. It’s also a practical choice if you’re passing through on I-295 and want a hotel right off the highway.
Depending on traffic, the airport area is about 20 minutes from downtown Richmond, though it can feel farther removed from the city’s historic neighborhoods and restaurant scene. If convenience is your priority over walkability or atmosphere, this area makes sense.
Reliable options include Hyatt Place, Four Points by Sheraton, and Holiday Inn Express, all of which offer straightforward, comfortable stays close to the airport.
Best Luxury Hotel in Richmond
The Jefferson Hotel
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
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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.
Modern Hotels in Downtown Richmond
Quirk Hotel Richmond
Quirk Hotel at a Glance
Pros
- Â Rooftop bar
- Great for business travelers
Cons
- Â Valet parking is fairly expensive, otherwise a public self-parking lot is nearby
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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.
Moxy Richmond Downtown
Moxy 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
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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.
Historic & Affordable Hotel in Downtown
Linden Row Inn
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
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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.Â
Short Pump Hotels
Richmond Hilton Hotel & Spa
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
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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.
Choosing where to stay in Richmond ultimately comes down to what kind of trip you’re planning. If you want walkable access to history, museums, and restaurants, downtown is the best choice. If shopping or suburban convenience is your priority, Short Pump may be a better fit. And for business travel or quick airport access, the Richmond Airport area offers practical options.
No matter your budget or travel style, Richmond has accommodations that make it easy to explore everything the city has to offer. Use this guide to find the best hotels in Richmond for your trip and enjoy discovering one of Virginia’s most underrated cities.
