Best Hotels in Virginia: A Complete Guide 2026

Virginia's most decorated hotels split into three regions: Wine and Horse Country, home to Salamander Middleburg and Keswick Hall; the Blue Ridge Mountains, home to The Lodge at Primland and The Omni Homestead Resort; and Historic and Coastal Virginia, home to The Inn at Little Washington and Williamsburg Inn. The Inn at Little Washington is the rare pick with both a Forbes Five-Star rating and a Michelin three-star restaurant.

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Explore Virginia's Top-Rated Hotels

Virginia stretches from the rolling horse pastures of Loudoun and Fauquier counties to the ridgelines of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the tidewater coast along the Chesapeake Bay. Its history runs just as deep, spanning colonial Williamsburg to Reconstruction-era resort towns built around natural hot springs. Few states pack equestrian estates, mountain wilderness, and centuries-old port cities into one border the way Virginia does.

That range of terrain and heritage is what separates its top hotels, some built around equestrian estates and vineyards, others around mountain seclusion, and others around centuries of continuous hospitality in the state's oldest cities. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions, grouped by what defines each one.

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How We Choose These Hotels

Selections are based on guest rating and review volume where available, Forbes Travel Guide, AAA Diamond, and Travel + Leisure recognition, and how consistently each property's amenities and service held up in recent guest feedback. Location claims, including proximity to wine country, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and historic districts, were cross-checked against each hotel's own listed address.

Every property included here operates as an independent hotel or resort with a verifiable track record rather than a newly opened or unrated listing. Estimated rates are directional and should be confirmed directly with the hotel, since Virginia's luxury and resort properties frequently adjust pricing by season and event calendar.

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Virginia's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance

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Wine And Horse Country

Salamander Middleburg

• Address: 500 N Pendleton St, Middleburg, VA 20117
• Category: Luxury equestrian resort
• Rating: Forbes Five-Star rated
• Standout feature: the resort sits on a 340-acre working horse farm with its own equestrian center, offering trail rides and riding lessons alongside a full-service spa
• Best for: travelers seeking an equestrian-focused luxury escape close to Northern Virginia's wine country

Keswick Hall

• Address: 701 Club Dr, Keswick, VA 22947
• Category: Luxury estate resort
• Rating: Forbes Recommended
• Standout feature: the property's golf course was redesigned by architect Pete Dye and runs against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Monticello
• Best for: couples and golfers wanting a Charlottesville-area estate with vineyard access nearby

Lansdowne Resort

• Address: 44050 Woodridge Pkwy, Leesburg, VA 20176
• Category: Golf and conference resort
• Rating: AAA Four Diamond
• Standout feature: the resort spans 45 holes across three golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones II, Greg Norman, and Jay Morrish
• Best for: golf groups and conference travelers who want resort amenities within reach of Washington, D.C.

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The Blue Ridge Mountains

The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection

• Address: 2000 Busted Rock Rd, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120
• Category: Mountain wilderness resort
• Rating: Forbes Four-Star
• Standout feature: the lodge sits on a 12,000-acre nature preserve along the Blue Ridge Parkway and operates its own observatory for guided stargazing sessions
• Best for: travelers wanting genuine mountain seclusion with outdoor activities like fly fishing, archery, and stargazing

The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa

• Address: 7696 Sam Snead Hwy, Hot Springs, VA 24445
• Category: Historic mountain resort
• Rating: AAA Four Diamond
• Standout feature: the resort's natural mineral hot springs have been in continuous use since 1766, making it one of the oldest resorts in the country
• Best for: families and wellness travelers looking for a historic mountain resort with spa facilities built around natural springs

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Historic And Coastal Virginia

The Inn at Little Washington

• Address: 309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747
• Category: Luxury boutique inn
• Rating: Forbes Five-Star
• Standout feature: the inn's restaurant holds three Michelin stars, making it one of the few properties in the country where a Forbes Five-Star hotel and a three-Michelin-star restaurant share the same address
• Best for: culinary travelers planning a destination dinner alongside an overnight stay

Williamsburg Inn

• Address: 136 E Francis St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
• Category: Historic luxury hotel
• Rating: AAA Four Diamond
• Standout feature: the inn sits inside the restored Colonial Williamsburg historic district, giving guests direct walking access to the area's 18th-century sites
• Best for: history-focused travelers and families visiting Colonial Williamsburg

The Jefferson Hotel

• Address: 101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220
• Category: Historic grand hotel
• Rating: Forbes Recommended
• Standout feature: the hotel's rotunda lobby was modeled on a bathhouse in Pompeii and has operated continuously since 1895
• Best for: business travelers and history enthusiasts based in downtown Richmond

The Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club

• Address: 4200 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
• Category: Historic oceanfront hotel
• Rating: AAA Four Diamond
• Standout feature: built in 1927 on a hilltop overlooking the Atlantic, the hotel underwent a multi-year restoration before reopening under Marriott's Autograph Collection
• Best for: beach travelers who want oceanfront access paired with a restored historic property

The Tides Inn

• Address: 480 King Carter Dr, Irvington, VA 22480
• Category: Coastal resort
• Rating: AAA Four Diamond
• Standout feature: the resort operates its own private marina on the Rappahannock River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay, with boating and fishing excursions departing on site
• Best for: boating and fishing travelers looking for a low-key waterfront resort on the Chesapeake

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Virginia Hotel Taxes And Fees

Virginia charges a state retail sales tax on accommodations, and most cities and counties add their own local transient occupancy tax on top of it, which commonly runs in the 5 to 8 percent range depending on the jurisdiction. Combined state and local lodging taxes in Virginia typically land near 4.3 percent at the state level before local add-ons are applied, so total taxes on a hotel stay can vary significantly by city or county. Resort fees are also common at destination properties like Primland, Keswick Hall, and The Tides Inn, and these are charged separately from tax. Confirm the exact tax rate and any resort fee directly with each hotel before booking, since rates are set locally and change periodically.

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Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip

Travelers planning a wine country or equestrian weekend near Washington, D.C. are best based at Salamander Middleburg or Lansdowne Resort, both close to Loudoun's vineyards. Anyone chasing mountain seclusion or a stargazing getaway should look to The Lodge at Primland or The Omni Homestead Resort, both set deep in the Blue Ridge. For a food-and-history combination, The Inn at Little Washington pairs a destination restaurant with an intimate inn, while Williamsburg Inn and The Jefferson Hotel suit travelers centering their trip on Colonial Williamsburg or downtown Richmond. Coastal travelers have two distinct options: The Historic Cavalier Hotel for an oceanfront Virginia Beach stay, or The Tides Inn for a quieter Chesapeake Bay marina resort near Irvington.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most luxurious hotel in Virginia?

The Inn at Little Washington is widely considered Virginia's most decorated property, holding a Forbes Five-Star rating alongside a three-Michelin-star restaurant on site. Salamander Middleburg is a close second, also Forbes Five-Star rated, with its 340-acre equestrian estate setting it apart.

2. What is the best hotel near Charlottesville, Virginia?

Keswick Hall is the top-rated option near Charlottesville, set on a historic estate with a Pete Dye-redesigned golf course and Blue Ridge views. It sits close to Monticello and the surrounding wine country.

3. Are there hot springs resorts in Virginia?

Yes, The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Hot Springs has operated around natural mineral springs continuously since 1766, making it one of the oldest resorts in the United States. It combines the historic springs with a full spa and AAA Four Diamond amenities.

4. What is the best oceanfront hotel in Virginia Beach?

The Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club is Virginia Beach's top-rated oceanfront property, built in 1927 on a hilltop above the Atlantic and restored under Marriott's Autograph Collection. It holds an AAA Four Diamond rating and combines historic architecture with direct beach access.

5. What is the best hotel for visiting Colonial Williamsburg?

Williamsburg Inn is the top choice for Colonial Williamsburg, sitting inside the restored historic district with direct walking access to the area's 18th-century sites. It holds an AAA Four Diamond rating and is one of the few hotels located within the historic area itself.