Virginia is, no doubt, a state of dreams—the Commonwealth has no trouble whisking one’s imagination away to dramatic Colonial battlefields, snow-kissed mountain landscapes, charming cobblestone streets, and sunsets over vast stretches of reflective water. But when it comes to dreaming, one crucial element is where you lie your head.
Whether it’s a centuries-old estate given new life or a brand-new escape promising fresh luxuries, the state is brimming with creativity in its accommodations. From Virginia’s newest and most imaginative stays, you can experience the atmosphere of a hunting lodge, a 1950s drive-in, a Colonial manor, a country cottage, and more. The dreams here—and the talent and drive of the dream-makers behind them—are only just beginning.
The Inn at Warner Hall, Gloucester
The Grand Return
The journey down the long, stately driveway to the Inn at Warner Hall is as grand as a weekend getaway gets. Tucked away at the edge of Gloucester on the Severn River, far from the bustle of Route 17, the inn is not a place one could accidentally meander upon—it’s pure destination. Framed by an allée of stately sycamores as you close in on the pristinely manicured mansion, one almost expects a ballgowned, bonneted lady of the house from centuries past to swing open the door. Alas, that whimsy would be in your head—but the wonder, not so much.
That view of the manor house struck its new innkeepers to the heart on their first visit. Phil and Laura Hooks came to tour the property in September 2025 before officially taking the job as stewards for the inn’s next chapter. The place and the role—which for these two history buffs was a dream come true—were enchanting enough to convince the couple to move their family from Orlando, Florida, to Tidewater, Virginia. Even now, after settling in, that façade still catches Phil’s breath. “It hasn’t worn off yet,” he says, “and some part of me hopes it won’t ever, because it’s just a special place.”
Inside the entry hall, footsteps seem to weigh more on the aged, 130-year-old wooden floors—once covered, but now revealed after the inn’s 2024 renovation by new owner Blake Plumley of the BluWater Group. The refreshed accommodations sit on George Washington’s great-great-grandfather’s property, first established as Austin’s Desire, with a home called Warner Hall in 1642. The current building doesn’t stretch back quite that far—some pieces date to the 1800s and others to the early 1900s—but one wall of the original 1600s footprint remains (more on that later).
The history is key to the inn’s character, even after the renovation added much-appreciated modern comforts—new copper clawfoot tubs in suite bathrooms, high-definition TVs cleverly disguised in picture frames, real brass room keys with leather tags, and gas-powered fireplaces in every room. “That was what fascinated us the most,” says Bryan Guillot, CEO of the Thomas Lee Group, which manages the property. “How do we continue the next chapter of Warner Hall while making the changes for today’s traveler?”
The new innkeepers are a literal part of bringing that history to the forefront; coincidentally, Phil is a distant relation to the Washingtons and founding family of the property. As such, the Hookses are ready to make all guests feel a part of the family and home as much as they are. Though new to innkeeping—Phil coming from finance and Laura with a background spanning history teaching and spa management—they both felt ready for the task.
“Our whole marriage has been planning party after party, welcoming people into our house,” Laura says. “We just really are a hospitality-focused couple. I was like, ‘I can do this.’ Just act like ourselves and welcome people into our home, like an extension of our home.”
The structure makes for a well-seasoned greeter itself. The parlors that welcome guests on the first floor are lavish spectacles, decked in antique furniture, carefully selected historic art, bookcases of lofty tomes, and lit by alluring fires. Amid the grandeur, these spaces feel as cozy as a family living room, as perhaps they once were for Washington’s extended relatives.
The Washington Parlor, swathed in surrounding, floor-to-ceiling deep blue, includes a miniature bar setup for serving welcome Champagne to visitors. “It’s so stunningly dark and immediately sets the mood,” Laura says. Here, they might explain the centuries-old cemetery at the back of the property, point out the walking path that leads to a picturesque riverside dock and boathouse with ideal sunset views, or hint at the night’s menu at the inn’s new restaurant, Austin’s—a supper service added during the renovation.
Upstairs is where the inn most clearly manages the delicate balance between authentically historic and thoroughly comfortable. About $75,000 went into each guest room’s renovation in the recent refresh, with new beds, fabric, bedding, décor, and bathrooms, plus elevated amenities—from plush robes and slippers to remote-operated blackout blinds on windows overlooking spectacular natural vistas.
More is to come for the next act of the inn’s operation, too, including a speakeasy-esque tavern set against that one remaining 1642 wall. The Hookses envision picnics, intimate cookouts at the boathouse, kayaking on the river, gathering family and inn guests alike over holiday dinner tables, and more as they embark on their first spring and summer there. Their kids—Hoy, 10, Mabel, 7, and Sybil, 5—are already taking to it: fishing, feeding the property’s cat (a fat, black-and-white wanderer called Stanley), and exploring nearby towns. In this new era, the Hooks family and the Inn at Warner Hall both eagerly embrace their role in the living legacy of a region where history remains part of its fabric—and its future. WarnerHall.com
The boathouse and dock on the banks of the Severn River.
The Inn at Warner Hall’s welcoming entrance.
If you go …
History-inclined travelers will find the nearby ruins of Rosewell Plantation a fascinating place to explore the underbelly of the crooked history of Virginia’s elites. Meanwhile, Downtown Gloucester makes for a packed afternoon of shopping, strolling, and snacking, and the storied streets of living history museums in Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg are a stone’s throw away.
The Historic Inn at Oakdene, Staunton
Crowning Glory
Picture this: a clawfoot tub boasting bubbles as mellow jazz plays in the marbled bathroom while you relax in a golden face mask in a castle-like inn. It’s something every Staunton newcomer or staycationer should get to experience. The Historic Inn at Oakdene, a newly restored Gothic Revival/Queen Anne mansion, provides this.
The inn is a mix of dark academia and charming elegance, featuring classic checkerboard tiles, an oak-paneled library, a magnificent turret, and more. The mansion and its porches, gardens, patios, and firepits are just a few blocks from downtown in Staunton’s Gospel Hill neighborhood.
The Be Still Getaways team took the 1.3-acre property, built by the former Lt. Gov. Edward Echols in 1893, and turned it into eight elegant suites. OakdeneInn.com
The dramatic front façade of the Historic Inn at Oakdene features varied exterior textures, including pebble-dashed stucco and pressed brick.
The cozy, oak-paneled library parlor at the Inn at Oakdene with a billiards table and fireplace.
Luxurious clawfoot tub.
Barristers Row, Staunton
Guilty of Style
The team behind Staunton’s beloved Oakdene clearly couldn’t help themselves—one charming inn in town wasn’t enough. Enter Barristers Row, their newest boutique property that proves good taste runs deep.
Built in 1843, this beauty sits right next to the Augusta County Courthouse, where sharp-dressed lawyers once hustled in and out, fueling the neighborhood’s buzz. With Lady Justice looking over the inn, the building has history in its bones—original details, that old-world elegance, the kind of character you can’t fake.
Nestled in the heart of Staunton, Barristers Row puts guests steps away from the walkable downtown everyone raves about—from local shops, restaurants, to that quintessential small-town architecture that makes Queen City so swoon-worthy and hard to leave. BarristersRow.com
Augusta County Courthouse in downtown Staunton.
Rooms hold stylish details like this golden showerhead in the fully tiled shower.
Suite 7 has two queen beds with leather headboards and metal canopy frames.
If you go …
The Queen City is synonymous with a charming downtown and unique businesses, like the Medieval Fantasies Company Gyfte Shoppe, The Sparrow’s Nest, and Words Matter. Get a delicious and sizable latte at The By & By before stopping by the Camera Heritage Museum, grabbing lunch at Mill Street Grill, and capping off the day with dinner at The Shack or Maude & The Bear.
From humble traveling troupe to world-class Shakespeare destination, Staunton’s American Shakespeare Center now performs at the Blackfriar Theater, the world’s only full recreation of Shakespeare’s original indoor playhouse. Forget stuffy traditional theater—here, actors and audience members banter back and forth, heckle, joke, and create the electric, raucous atmosphere Shakespeare himself intended. With year-round performances of Shakespeare and other classic plays, educational workshops, and behind-the-scenes tours, the ASC brings the Bard’s world thrillingly to life.
The Publisher Hotel, Fredericksburg
Clever Conversion
The Publisher Hotel occupies a building with serious pedigree—it once housed the Free Lance-Star newspaper, Fredericksburg’s journalistic heartbeat for decades. Now, it’s been transformed into a boutique hotel that honors that legacy while writing its own story.
Part of Tribute Portfolio’s collection of independent, design-forward properties, The Publisher leans hard into its newspaper roots. The branding nods to Old English typefaces that dominated 20th-century publishing houses, while every corner references the building’s storytelling past. Even Lance, the iconic newsboy statue, watches over arriving guests in the porte cochere, once again taking a prominent place in Fredericksburg. “The building is such an important landmark to the Fredericksburg community,” says Director of Sales and Marketing Caroline Kirkland. “I think what we’ve done here is honor its past with a real look to the future.”
The lobby marries sleek design with warm ambiance. A 15-foot linear water vapor fireplace, stuffed velvet couches and chairs, bookshelves galore, and walls that can read deep purple to navy to black, depending on the time of day. The result is a sophisticated yet inviting space. Locally sourced art inspired by Fredericksburg’s history and newspapers’ glory days adds character throughout.
Lance, the paperboy statue, serves as a nod to the history of the Publisher Hotel.
Guest rooms are impressive. With walls painted in a luxurious deep teal, they’re all about enhancing guest experiences. No more hunting for USB ports; they’re smartly built into bedside tables. Plush Frette robes, rain showerheads, and coffee stations with hidden mini-fridges are welcome touches, too. Overall, The Publisher’s vibe is cosmopolitan, turning the hotel into a popular alternative for those seeking proximity to D.C.—“without the steep hotel prices,” Kirkland says. “Parking and transportation out of Fredericksburg is easier than dealing with I-95. You can just hop on Amtrak and be at Union Station in just over an hour.”
Five ChopHouse, The Publisher’s restaurant and official steakhouse of the Fredericksburg Nationals, includes an expansive wine room and The Editor’s Terrace, an event and dining space with a retractable ceiling and glass walls that can be opened in warm weather. Tabletop fireplaces ensure cozy temps in cooler seasons. Executive Chef Cody DeRosett, a Kentucky native, partners with local purveyors to craft expertly prepared seafood and steaks of every cut, plus signature dishes like shrimp and grits, smoked bone-in pork chop, and seasonally driven sides like crispy Brussels sprouts with honey and lemon and soul-satisfying mac ‘n’ cheese. DeRosett, who was recruited from Waco, Texas, where he helped open the 1928 Hotel for Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia brand, brings serious, well, chops to the position.
The building is owned by Vakos Companies, a local real estate development firm run by William J. Vakos, Jr., and his family. Partnering with Greenwood Hospitality Group and Marriott, they brought The Publisher to life. The family’s touch is understated yet intentional: brass V medallions glint from the restaurant’s wooden tables, while vintage photographs throughout the property pay homage to their deep Fredericksburg roots. ThePublisherHotel.com
The lobby showcases the hotel’s roaring fireplace.
If you go …
Located in the heart of historic Fredericksburg, The Publisher serves as a comfortable home base for exploring the city’s rich past—from Ferry Farm, George Washington’s boyhood home where the cherry tree legend was born and Kenmore Plantation, the elegant 1770s home of George Washington’s sister, Betty, featuring ornate plasterwork ceilings; to the James Monroe Museum & Memorial Library that houses an extensive collection of our 5th president’s possessions and the wonderfully walkable historic district of Old Town Fredericksburg with its 40+ blocks of 18th and 19th-century architecture, antique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. It’s easy to spend a day ambling up and down Old Town’s streets, admiring its stately Georgian, Federal, and Victorian homes. And just down the road, don’t miss Gari Melchers’ Belmont, the 27-acre country retreat of the American artist known for embracing naturalism and his fine portraiture. The estate features his historic home, art studio and galleries, gardens, historic buildings, and several miles of walking trails. First, fuel up at Freddy Donuts, next door to the hotel. Then, after a long day of exploring, don’t miss Blue Cow Creamery for a few delicious scoops.
The Cardinal’s Nest – The Inn at Little Washington, Washington
Haute Hideaway
Guests would agree that the Inn at Little Washington has a touch of magic. Even those who’ve only heard about it know something extraordinary happens there. It’s where gigantic black SUVs ferry senators, movie stars, and presidents to dine alongside couples celebrating anniversaries. It’s luxury, elegance, and whimsy intertwined—proof that after nearly 50 years at the helm, chef-owner Patrick O’Connell isn’t slowing down. He’s still morphing, moving, reinventing, and dreaming up new ways to heighten the Inn at Little Washington experience.
And he’s done it again in this hamlet of fewer than 100 residents—84 to be exact—where, tucked into small-town Virginia, something extraordinary recently took flight. The Cardinal’s Nest, the newest jewel in the Inn at Little Washington’s crown, opened in 2024 as a testament to O’Connell’s four-decade dream of restoring the colonial village of Washington.
Named for both Virginia’s state bird and “La Cardinale,” the first Relais & Châteaux property in France, this charming freestanding cottage represents O’Connell’s enviable vision. The miraculous resurrection of an 18th-century “summer kitchen” took a meticulous year, transforming history into luxury.
In its own private garden just steps from the inn, the Nest features O’Connell’s signature touches—a master class in style and attention to detail. From paint colors to fabric, trim, flooring, furniture, artwork, lighting, and linen, O’Connell’s touch is everywhere. The house includes two spacious bedrooms, each with its own luxurious baths with heated floors and soaking tubs; a vaulted-ceiling living room anchored by a dramatic stone fireplace preserved from the original 1700s structure; a butler’s kitchen; a private garden; and a cedar hot tub. TheInnAtLittleWashington.com
The Cardinal’s Nest has its own cedar hot tub in a private courtyard.
If you go …
Across Main Street from The Inn at Little Washington is quite possibly the best gift shop you’ll ever stumble into—the Inn’s Tavern Shops. Hostess gifts? Check. Heaps of tasteful branded swag? Got it. Enviable wedding presents? Absolutely.
But then there are the splurges—Italian leather bags, gorgeous jewelry, the kind of pieces that make you say “I deserve this” even when you probably don’t need another handbag. Oh, and Luray (O’Connell’s beloved Dalmatian) has her own corner because, of course, she does. Think spot-on collars, leashes, treats, and accessories for the four-legged foodie in your life.
Bottom line: You came for dinner. You’re leaving with shopping bags.
Sitting catty-cornered from its elegant sister, The Inn at Little Washington, Patty O’s is what happens when Patrick O’Connell trades white tablecloths for bandanas—and you’re going to love every second of it. Picture a custom-made chuckwagon parked on the corner of Middle and Main like a quirky mascot. Waitstaff pouring water from silver pitchers shaped like cowboy boots, each one topped with a jaunty red bandana. Dolly Parton crooning in the background. It’s sidewalk café meets bluegrass hoedown, and somehow it works perfectly.
But behind all the “Howdy, pardner!” charm is O’Connell’s genius in the kitchen. The food is exceptional, some of the best you’ll ever taste, but without the Michelin-star price tag across the street. Patty O’s borrows a touch of The Inn’s old-world spirit (crackling fires, impeccable flavors), then adds a wink and a twang. Around the corner, the bakery tempts with fresh-baked croissants, scones, baguettes, cookies, and muffins—the perfect excuse to stop by twice in one day.
All said, Patty O’s Cafe & Bakery is fancy-ish food and zero pretense. Washington, Virginia, never tasted so good. Keep it up, Chef.
Hotel Burg, Leesburg
Hunting Lodge Luxe
In a town whose charm knows no bounds, the new Hotel Burg, opened August 2025, fits right in. Down King Street—Leesburg’s classic small-town business strip—Hotel Burg stands as the area’s new herald of class, history, and character.
Its classic brick façade rises gracefully above the streetline, joined by an all-black house with stately chimneys and a welcoming porch. That house—the property’s original home—was thoughtfully preserved by local owners Kevin and Remington Ash and serves as a warm introduction to the luxury within. Inside, it holds the Diana Lounge, a breakfast and cocktail space filled with vaulted ceilings, plush seating, and elegant “hunt country” art. An homage to women of the hunt—from the goddess Diana to Pocahontas—the room marries masculine and feminine touches.
Local design studio wldwst, whose shop sits just two blocks away, took the reins on the interior. To the right of the lounge sits Huntōn, a fine dining restaurant setting a new standard for Virginia hospitality. Hooks for handbags, a view into the wood-fired kitchen, curated art surrounding curated meals—no detail is forgotten.
Upstairs, the 39 guest rooms carry forward Hotel Burg’s defining feature: intentionality. Every pillow, chair, and piece of art has been chosen with purpose, transforming comfort into a complete experience. Above sits the rooftop bar, offering Leesburg’s best views, reserved for guests and members of The Chase.
At Hotel Burg, luxury feels easy. Guest vans whisk visitors to nearby wineries, rooftop events invite mingling, and the town’s small-town warmth is steps away.
Hotel Burg’s owners Kevin & Remington Ash.
Roan, an Irish Setter, enjoys the new Hotel Burg’s pet-friendly accomodations in Leesburg.
Hotel Burg’s Diana Lounge marries masculine and feminine with its hunt country vibe.
The Chase is On
Leesburg locals get the keys to Hotel Burg’s most exclusive hunts—no check-in required.
Locals don’t have to book a stay to enjoy Hotel Burg’s amenities. The Chase, the hotel’s private membership club, offers exclusive access to the second floor’s coworking spaces, hunting-slash-cigar lounge, conference rooms, and stocked kitchen. Members can also slip into the basement speakeasy—complete with yak-fur barstools, private wine and cigar lockers, and full bar service—or head to the rooftop bar for members-only views and events.
Hotel Heron, Alexandria
Old Town Charmer
Sunsets in Old Town Alexandria are already one of Virginia’s finest evening experiences: the whisper of pink and orange over historic roofs, the serene sweep of the Potomac within reach, the cobblestones underfoot adding charm. Add a rooftop bar to the equation, and you’ve about spelled perfection.
Guests enjoy all that atmosphere and more at Hotel Heron, which opened in June 2024 on Prince Street. Modern with an air of effortless cool permeating its spaces—from the downstairs restaurant KILN to the coveted rooftop bar, Good Fortune, where events carry on through many nights—the hotel manages to feel both fresh and familiar.
Layered shades of green keep it chic throughout the common areas and private rooms, where the digs feel like home for the night, but elevated. A birdwatching guidebook awaits on the desk, and a curated gallery wall draws the eyes.
But the heart of this boutique accommodation is its social soul. KILN consistently flows with conversation and laughter, and the rooftop happy hours set the ideal stage for connection. Either way, the view does most of the talking.
Good Fortune, Hotel Heron’s rooftop space, offers stellar views of Old Town Alexandria, as well as drinks, small bites, and community events.
If you go …
The call to community pulls guests into the lively surrounding streets as well, with King Street just around the corner, beckoning with pedestrian lanes and shopping treasures. The waterfront stretches beyond, framed by dozens of attractions—the farmers’ market, the notorious Spite House, the Torpedo Art Factory, and fine eateries galore (dessert-serving ones at that). By the time the last light slips off the Potomac, it’s hard to tell where the historic streets end and the hotel begins.
Colony House Motor Lodge, Roanoke
The Dandy Time Traveler
As soon as the black and white retro sign comes into view and the neon No Vacancy sign flickers, the Colony House Motor Lodge becomes an instant time capsule. The hotel has the vibe of Grease and the nostalgia of a family vacation, complete with the kids playing by the pool.
The Colony Motor House Lodge opened in 1959 in the era of road trips and motels and operated until 2018. After years of abandonment, new owners—the Farrell family—stepped in with a vision and launched the stay’s second chapter in mid-October 2025.
The three-year renovation sought to honor this gem’s past, preserving iconic details from the golden age like the original logo, the room doors, and more. The hotel pays homage to its past while remaining effortlessly cool, inviting guests to sleep in a unique vintage setting.
Every corner is carefully curated, from the mid-century modern interior design to the vintage car photography—a nod to the owners’ car dealerships in Roanoke. The pool area features a vintage trailer from which cold drinks and food are served.
The OG Colony House was a highly regarded hallmark in the community and the backdrop to likely every Roanoker’s staycation. And plans are to keep it that way—only a bit more elevated, with live music and events throughout the year.
Roanoke pride reigns throughout the space, on proud display in the Blue Ridge Mountains mural by Toobz, a local artist, where the rooflines mimic the mountain range; all the furniture from the local TXTUR brand; and, of course, Roanoke Star motifs everywhere.
The Roanoke Star is displayed in The Colony House’s lobby above a comfy TXTUR couch.
Colony House Motor Lodge’s features TXTUR furniture, a Roanoke-based brand of décor, accents, and modern furniture.
Neon Nostalgia
Neon signs are unique in today’s LED world, but Roanoke prides itself on the authentic neon signs around the city. Some to keep your vintage vibes alive include:
Roanoke Star
2000 Jb Fishburn Pkwy. SE, Roanoke. VisitRoanokeVa.com
Dr Pepper and H&C Coffee signs
Texas Tavern
114 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke. TexasTavern-Inc.com
Colony House Motor Lodge
3560 Franklin Rd. DW, Roanoke. ColonyHouseMotorLodge.com
Grandin Theatre
1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke. GrandinTheatre.com
If you go …
Travel back to the 21st century in Roanoke and enjoy electric bikes with Roanoke Mountain Adventures, visit the Taubman Museum of Art, and delight in the city’s delicious food scene at bloom, Sweet Donkey Coffee, The River and Rail, and Evie’s Bistro & Bakery.
The Opal House, Low Moor
Mountain Magic
What makes The Opal House work isn’t any single amenity—it’s the cumulative effect of thoughtful details in this 124-year-old dwelling transformed into an intimate eight-room inn where century-old charm meets contemporary comfort, complete with in-room fireplaces, spa-like showers, and the softest bedding you’ll ever touch.
The setup feels refreshingly low-key with comfortable rooms and mornings at the downstairs coffee bar, where you’ll find yourself chatting with guests in the shared kitchen or settling into the sitting area. Outside, those mountain views stretch endlessly. Evenings find travelers circling the fire pit, watching sparks rise into the star-filled sky.
The location hits a sweet spot between mountain solitude and civilization. Nearby Covington and Clifton Forge offer shops, restaurants, and historical sites, while Douthat State Park’s trails and Lake Moomaw sit practically in the backyard.
The Opal House offers something increasingly rare: a place where the pace slows, conversations deepen, and the beauty of Virginia’s highlands works its quiet magic. StayAtOpalHouse.com
If you go …
The Allegheny Highlands are ripe for hiking, but for art lovers—and rivaling any peak nearby—is the Allegheny Arts & Crafts Center in nearby Covington. Its rotating gallery exhibits showcase both local Highlands artists and makers from across the region. After a visit, don’t miss a stroll through town, then grab an Abominable Snowman Frappe and chicken salad croissant at Manic Espresso. Top off your day with a visit to the Historic Humpback Covered Bridge that spans Dunlap Creek. Built in 1857, it’s the only one of its kind in the U.S.
Rochambeau Roadside Inn, Williamsburg
Nostalgic Nook
There’s no better sight when running from an Eastern Virginia downpour than the neon glow of Rochambeau Roadside Inn’s “Motel Rochambeau” vintage-style sign. The luminescence marks the quaint, nostalgic property’s sweeping lot of darling rooms, ready to envelope weekend guests in a cozy world that harks back to simple times and slow, gentle living. Of course, sunlight works just as well, shining on the lobby-side patio decked in string lights with picnic tables and seating, brightening the shades of vinca in hanging baskets along the room doorways.
The inn is at once an uncanny step back in time and a thoroughly modern, comfortable stay: nostalgic motel trappings encase a boutique inn with a cushy, convenient interior. Rooms follow the classic motel setup, allowing guests to drive right up to their doors. An adorably styled lobby offers light breakfast bites and a reception host, but at the same time, check-in, check-out, and special requests can all be handled easily via text for a hassle-free virtual experience.
Throughout the property are nods to the inn’s mascot, Beau the Leicester Longwool sheep, like those found in nearby Colonial Williamsburg. This woolly friend is just one ingredient to the charm, which grows with every detail you notice—a cozy, clean bedroom, wine service (with bottles custom-labeled for the inn by The Williamsburg Winery), plush blankets, streaming-equipped TVs, and a history to back up every ounce of nostalgia packed into the place.
Beau, a Leicester Longwool Sheep, is the Rochambeau’s official mascot.
A Storied Welcome
Motel Rochambeau first opened in 1954, an inviting roadside stop built by the Bryhn family. Its name references the Revolutionary-era French general Rochambeau, who helped the Colonists win the war, adding a dash of history to the neon-lit flair. The motel originally welcomed guests for just $4 a night—including a visit from Robert Kennedy in 1960—and got a refresh in 1967 with a new lobby and sign. In 2023, new owner and Williamsburg native Lyle Schiavone and his sister Anna led a year-long revamp, opening the new inn in December 2024, blending ‘50s character with creature comforts in 22 delightful rooms.
Motel Rochambeau from the 1950s
If you go …
As long as you’re enjoying a step back in mid-century modern history at the Rochambeau, dive even further back in time and don’t miss the Historic Trades Tour at Colonial Williamsburg. From the wigmaker to the blacksmith to the silver engraver and the candlemakers, these apprentices, journeymen, and master craftsmen of the 18th century have fascinating stories to tell. These tradespeople are not playing dress-up or pretending to forge an axe. They are deeply knowledgeable about their crafts: their fires are real fires; they hammer, saw, stitch, and dig to keep colonial trades alive. In a world changing at breakneck speed, a hammer is only one “buy now” button away. In contrast, CW’s Historic Trades are about preservation. If the thread of knowledge were to be broken—how to build a carriage from the ground up, handmake a saddle with waxed thread, horsehair, and leather—these trades, skills, and histories would be lost forever.
This article originally appeared in the February 2026 issue.
