Travel gets better with age. It evolves into a sweeter rhythm custom to the traveler herself. Slower paces, quieter wakeups, more sumptuous wind-downs. Those ideas become realities in more lived-in spaces … the spaces where one looks around and says, “boy, if these walls could talk …”
Consider these 10 historic inns of the Shenandoah Valley when dreaming of such a leisurely getaway. No, they don’t all boast spas, and they may not offer the latest gadget amenities, but they’re easy indulgence … oh so sweet for the weary traveler.
The George Washington Hotel in Winchester dates to 1924 and was built by the American Hotel Corporation. As most hotels of the time, it was built near the rails so the train passengers could easily reach the accommodation.
Today’s Amenities:
- Restaurant
- Bar/Lounge
- Indoor Pool
- Spa
L’Auberge Provençale in White Post sits on what was part of a large land parcel owned by Lord Fairfax and surveyed by young George Washington in the 1740s. The main manor house – Mount Airy – was built of native limestone in 1753, and Washington was one of its two trustees. The other was his future brother-in-law, Fielding Lewis. The Borel family has owned the estate since 1980 and has grown it from a restaurant into a beautiful French Country inn.
Today’s Amenities:
- La Table Provençale Restaurant
- Fireplaces
- Luxury European Linens
- Complimentary Breakfast and Afternoon Refreshments
The Mimsylyn Inn, a Georgian Revival in Luray, was built by Henry and Elizabeth Mims in 1931. It’s believed Eleanor Roosevelt visited in the late 1930s. A multi-million-dollar restoration was completed in 2008.
Today’s Amenities:
- Restaurant
- Speakeasy
- Spa
- Cottages
The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs is the expansion of what began in 1766 as a lodge built by Thomas Bullitt to accommodate weary travelers arriving to “take the waters.” In 1832, Dr. Thomas Goode acquired the property and expanded the humble accommodations into a resort. So far, The Homestead has hosted twenty-four United States Presidents. In 1991, it was designated a National Historic Landmark.
Today’s Amenities:
- Warm Springs Pools (America’s first spa)
- Multiple Restaurants
- Golf Courses
- Spa & Pools
- Movie Theater
- Equestrian Activities
- Shooting Sports
Hotel 24 South in Staunton dates to 1924, when hotelier Alexander Tobie Moore cast his vision for a bigger, more modern hotel for the area. In 2005, a $19.3 million restoration project protected the gem for generations of visitors yet to come. The hotel was known as Stonewall Jackson Hotel for 96 years. It became Hotel 24 South on September 1, 2020.
Today’s Amenities:
- Indoor Pool
- Pet-Friendly
- Two Restaurants
The Georges is a sprawling boutique hotel that blossomed from two unattached historic buildings in downtown Lexington: the 1789 Washington Building and the 1809 Marshall Building. Today, The Georges encompasses those two buildings plus The Livery (1847) and Lawyer’s Row (1846).
Today’s Amenities:
- Two Restaurants
- Complimentary Breakfast
- Spa-like Bathrooms
Photo by Chad Williams; courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation
Hampton Inn Lexington Historic District is centered around Col Alto Mansion, built in 1827 by James McDowell before he became Governor of Virginia in 1843. It was privately owned until Rosa Tucker Mason bequeathed it to Washington and Lee University in the 1950s to be used as the University President’s residence. Realizing the University failed to follow through with Mason’s stipulations, the Tucker family reclaimed Col Alto in 1984 and sold it to developers. After securing its place in the history books as a Virginia Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places, Col Alto became the centerpiece of a Hilton-brand hotel in 1997.
Today’s Amenities:
- 10 Historic Manor Rooms
- Outdoor Pool
- EV Charging
The manor house at The Inn at Forest Oaks in Natural Bridge dates to 1806 and was built by Sam Houston’s cousin, Matthew Houston. It was not only a home, but also a tavern and store for a time. The Federal-style house was spun into an English country manor in 1916 by architect Curtis Walton. In 2011, the home was restored and opened as a bed and breakfast. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Today’s Amenities:
- Billiard Room
- Library
- Vine Cottage
- Gourmet Breakfast
The Historic Inn at Oakdene in Staunton is an 1893 Queen Anne mansion built by Edward Echols prior to his service as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 1898. The home features a plethora of building materials – a marvel! – and keen eyes will spot the owl perched atop the home’s turret. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, Oakdene has operated as an inn only a short while – since 2024.
Today’s Amenities:
- Eight Luxury Suites
- Billiard Room
- Patio with Wood-Burning Chimney
The Bowman House in Waynesboro was built in 1910 by M. Ree Ellis, who also built Swannanoa in nearby Afton. Bowman House is a brick Classical Revival with four fluted Ionic columns.
Today’s Amenities:
- Jack-and-Jill Rooms for Family Travel
- Gourmet Breakfast
Ready for that sweeter, slower, more timeless pace? Book the room with the creaky floor, the one with the porch and a priceless view. Let the 1700s stone walls tell you a story or the Jazz Age ballroom dazzle you into decadent dreams. These are the comfortable, beautiful, lived-in, historic homes, mansions, and inns of the Shenandoah Valley, and their doors are open.
Header Image: The Omni Homestead Resort. Photo by Hannah Armstrong and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
