For the third and final leg of my Southern business trip, I pulled in to charming Charlottesville, Virginia and was eager to sample one of the town’s premier lodging offerings.
While the popular Boar’s Head Inn, Omni Charlottesville Hotel, and Keswick Hall all seemed interesting, each – IMHO - had its downside (too big, way too big, too stodgy, respectively). Digging a bit deeper, I found the elegant Oakhurst Inn, and judging from the ebullient reviews on TripAdvisor (4.5 stars), Yelp (5 stars), Booking.com (4.5 stars), and Expedia (4.5 stars), lots of folks were overjoyed by Oakhurst’s sensational service, lovely accommodations, and mouthwatering menu. The animated thumbs-ups from across the country had me hooked, and I booked a room online.
The Oakhurst offers:
- 27 cozy yet super-hip guest rooms, each with its own warm and unique décor
- Proximity (like, steps-away proximity) to Scott Stadium, the UVA Health System, and the university’s grounds
- An outstanding café (more on that yumminess later)
- Extended stay and pet-friendly suites
- Free parking and valet service
- Free Wi-fi
- Quiet and peaceful common areas/libraries (replete with reading lamps, ceiling fans, comfy chairs, and couches) on each floor, each with an espresso machine and a fridge full of complimentary bottles of Poland Spring water and cans of San Pellegrino Limonata soda
Originally built in the early 20th century as residences for the University of Virginia’s employees and students (including future attorney general and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy), the three classic Craftsman homes that comprise the Oakhurst Inn were renovated in 2012 and converted into today’s hotel, gourmet café, and coffee bar. The inn also has furnished residential apartments, as well as multimedia meeting facilities for small conferences or celebrations.
When I arrived, check-in was fast and friendly. Given the building's sturdy bones, it’s no surprise that the interiors have great original features (molding, staircases, doors, closets, hardwood floors), so there was a lot of classic structural beauty to admire while I loaded in my luggage.
My second-floor room was quiet, beautifully designed, and a perfect sanctuary after my long day of driving. It also had plenty of modern amenities, such as…
- flatscreen television
- adjustable climate control panel
- a tea/coffee maker with an accompanying selection of gourmet teabags
- solid and tastefully contemporary furniture (including a wide, plush bed)
- an amazingly indulgent bathroom, including an invigorating rainfall shower head and a wide selection of hypoallergenic (MALIN+GOETZ) personal care products
An unexpected evening perk was the cheerful delivery of a flask of filtered water along with a pair of fresh baked gingerbread cookies. It was this kind of attentive service that made the Oakhurst Inn experience such an exceptional and restful escape.
The Inn’s upbeat café, which is a quick walk from the Inn itself, offers a warm and relaxed ambiance and cheerful breakfast/brunch/lunch service. Eclectic local artwork decorates the walls and vintage cutlery combinations are on each table. The wooden tables are thick and sturdy and the lighting is soft and comfortable, with lots of natural light beaming in from the café’s many windows.
When I visited the café in the morning, everything on the menu – all of which is comprised of locally sourced ingredients - looked delicious. I chose the breakfast sandwich, which featured bacon, egg (I opted for egg whites), cheddar cheese, and a butter roll from the Albemarle Baking Company (lauded as the “best bakery in Charlottesville” by online reviewers). It was tasty and surprisingly light. The café’s fresh squeezed OJ was the perfect beverage accompaniment to the meal.
The Takeaway
For those seeking an innovative hotel alternative on their visit to C’ville (aka C-Ville or Cville), the Oakhurst Inn’s clean, comfortable, and way cool lodgings and delightfully delectable café offerings will surprise and charm - and invite multiple future visits.
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