Among the many ways to show the love to your wedding guests: Help them figure out where to stay when they travel from out of town. Some folks may appreciate a group rate at a big hotel; others might look to you to recommend a unique rental property. Depending on where your wedding is happening, and how much free time guests will have before and after, you can help them turn your wedding weekend into a fun getaway, sampling all the good stuff Charlottesville and environs have to offer. Here are a few highlights from the rich local selection of lodgings.
Green Acres
If you’re getting married at King Family Vineyards, or if you just want guests to have easy access to the wine- and beer-related delights of western Albemarle and Nelson, the Greenwood location of this Stay Charlottesville property (above) is ideal. A modern farmhouse that sits atop an open hillside, the house sleeps up to eight people in its four crisply styled bedrooms. High ceilings, natural light, and mountain views bring the outdoors in, and a patio and large lawn expand the living space in good weather. Indoor types will enjoy the wet bar and super-comfy TV room. A full kitchen means guests can cook up their own breakfast before heading out to explore—or book one of Stay Charlottesville’s private chefs. staycharlottesville.com
Omni Charlottesville
If you want to show off the Downtown Mall scene to out-of-town friends—or if your reception is downtown—your guests couldn’t do better than the Omni, standing at the west end of the mall and offering luxury amenities like free newspapers, same-day dry cleaning, and an indoor swimming pool. Rooms are quietly tasteful, many overlooking the Omni’s signature indoor atrium, filled with greenery and glass. Some suites even include a wet bar. Ten or more rooms constitute a block, for which the Omni will negotiate a 15 to 30 percent discount depending on the season. omnicharlottesville.com
Graduate Charlottesville
The Graduate is a good place for guests who attended UVA or want to fantasize that they did—its big draw is its location within spitting distance of the Rotunda and UVA Chapel, plus its retro college-themed décor. (Think rotary telephones, taxidermied fish, and yard-sale knickknacks.) Given its height, the hotel offers stellar views from some of its rooms, ditto the ninth-story pub called Camp Ten Four. Amenities include free bike rentals and a game room with ping pong—plus, for brides, a special suite for getting dressed on the wedding day. If you reserve at least 10 rooms, the Graduate offers 10 to 25 percent discounts, depending on the season. graduatehotels.com/charlottesville
Canterbury/Farmington
For quick access to Farmington, UVA, and the Ivy area, guests wanting to experience the upscale side of Charlottesville would do well to book this Stay Charlottesville location—especially if they have kids. With four bedrooms and an au pair cottage, the property sleeps up to 10 people and includes a private swimming pool with a poolhouse designed by hip local architecture firm Alloy Workshop. There’s even a treehouse in the yard! High-end kitchen appliances and flawless décor will appeal to the grownups. staycharlottesville.com
Inn at the Crossroads
Housed in a brick tavern that’s accommodated overnight guests for its entire 200-year history, the well-preserved Inn at the Crossroads is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it offers more luxury than early travelers likely enjoyed (600-thread-count sheets and spa showers), even as the ambience harkens back to earlier days with antique furnishings and, in one room, a working fireplace. Room rates include a hearty breakfast with local ingredients. The Inn sits right next door to Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards and an easy drive from Albemarle CiderWorks and Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery—and if you’re using one of those three sites as your wedding venue, the Inn offers an average of a 20 percent discount for parties booking the entire property. crossroadsinn.com