Charlottesville, VA
09/23/2013 - United States, Charlottesville, VA
09/23/2013 – UNITED STATES, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
Charlottesville, Virginia
We stayed at this hotel back in 2012, and I was very impressed. Boar’s Head is a quintessential Virginia resort, offering a warm, intimate ambiance, exceptional service and unparalleled Southern hospitality. Located on a bucolic 573-acre country estate, our 4-Diamond resort offers 175 newly-renovated guest rooms and suites, 4-Diamond dining in the Old Mill Room, a wide variety of world class recreational activities, spa and 22,000 square feet of meeting facilities for groups of 20 to 630.
Owned and operated by the University of Virginia Foundation, Boar’s Head is just minutes from the University of Virginia that was founded by Thomas Jefferson, only two hours from Washington, D.C., and at the foot of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
We had a delicious dinner in their 4 Diamond Restaurant The Old Mill Room. The epicurean heart of Boar’s Head was built from the timbers of an abandoned gristmill along the banks of the Hardware River, which dated back to 1834. The relocation of the mill was an opportunity to preserve and transform a treasured Virginia artifact. It had survived burning despite the orders of Generals Grant and Custer during their march through Charlottesville in the Civil War. Indeed, it had continued to operate some 60 years after the war’s end. For 26 years running, our Old Mill Room has earned AAA’s Four-Diamond designation in recognition of its culinary artistry, distinctive Virginia ambiance and superior service.
(From their website)
We were given a beautiful room, and the whole evening was majestic. I would come back again and would recommend this resort to any travelers, brides, and guests alike.
Our anniversary is September 21st. I had heard many wonderful things about Keswick Hall and wanted to celebrate our love for each other there on our anniversary.
Keswick Hall had its own “soft opening” in August of 1993, and thus began a steady stream of awards and accolades, as well as many capital improvements. In 1997 the tennis pavilion opened with additional courts; there are now seven, including two “hydrocourts.” In 2002 the golf course was certified as meeting Audubon standards of environmental stewardship; it is one of only 30 certified courses in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The gorgeous infinity edge pool was added in 2003, Fossett’s Restaurant in 2004, Villa Lunch in 2006, Courtside Vineyard producing Petit Manseng in 2010, and Treble, a private dining wine cellar, in 2011. Now owned by Historic Hotels of Albemarle, Keswick Hall is proud to be part of a community that values the authenticity and character of that which came before us, while providing gracious and elegant accommodations for all guests, coming from near and far. Keswick Hall was purchased in January 2012 by Historic Hotels of Albemarle, part of the Riverstone Group based in Richmond. As this truly premier property launches into its second century, the past is festively celebrated, the present is thoroughly enjoyed, and the future – beginning with a new golf course designed by the legendary Pete Dye — begins to reveal itself.
(From the website)
We arrived at Keswick and were surprised when no one greeted us at the car valet. We approached the desk carrying our own bags and were given keys to our room. I had tweeted to Keswick Hall that we were celebrating our anniversary at their hotel and that I was a travel writer. I was pleasantly surprised to find champagne in our room on arrival. Our room was quaint and had an historic Virginia feel. The bathtub did not work though and our view was of the golf course that was being renovated (see the cover picture). This was probably my fault, as I did not research to see if the hotel was under renovation. I would love to see it in its full beauty next summer.
From then on, we kept having mishaps. We had a drink in Fossett’s Bar before dinner, and the bartender spilled Stephen’s drink all over the floor. We then had dinner in Fossett’s Restaurant. When we ordered wine, the Sommelier turned snooty and told us that nobody ever orders that wine. When we pointed out that it was on his “Favorites List”, he informed us that he had only put it on there to make one of his regulars “feel good”.
The worst part of the trip came the next morning though. We were woken at 8am to the sound of bulldozers starting their construction on the golf course. (It was a Sunday Morning.)
We complained to the manager, and they discounted our stay.
Overall, I’m hoping our experience was an exception to the service for which they are known. I do recommend to anyone planning a visit to wait until summer when the golf course is finished.
Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence, the third president of the United States, and the founder of the University of Virginia. He voiced the aspirations of a new America as no other individual of his era. Having inherited a considerable landed estate from his father, Jefferson began building Monticello when he was twenty-six years old. Three years later, he married Martha Wayles Skelton with whom he lived happily for ten years until her death. Their marriage produced six children, but only two survived to adulthood. Jefferson, who never remarried, maintained Monticello as his home throughout his life, always expanding and changing the house. Click here for Jefferson’s bio.
The grounds are gorgeous with beautiful views everywhere you turn. Tickets are $25 for adults and $8 for children. (Under 5yrs are free) The tour was very educational, and the tour guides were extremely knowledgeable.
I would happily recommend this as a family outing!
We decided on our way out of town to stop at this famous winery. It is said to be the best in Virginia. For $5 you can taste between 16-20 wines and keep a souvenir glass. The free tours show you how they make the wine and tell you the history of the land. Afterwards, you can take a bottle out to the ruins of a colonial home on the property and enjoy a beautiful day.
See the video below!