We all need to get away now and then. Whether it's for a proper holiday, a romantic getaway, or just a weekend escape, there's nothing like a special retreat. These 16 vacation spots in Virginia offer just the escape you're looking for. Ranging from high-end luxury resorts to mountain cabins, these hotels, bed and breakfasts, and cabin rentals are guaranteed to make your stay a memorable one.

1. Smithfield Station Lighthouse, Smithfield

Our list of one-of-a-kind vacation spots in Virginia begins with the Smithfield Station Lighthouse. If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a lighthouse, there’s only one place on the East Coast that can make it happen. Smithfield Station Inn offers an exact replica of the Hooper Strait Light (Maryland) equipped with two luxurious suites. Rent a single suite or rent the entire lighthouse and enjoy breathtaking river views complete with all the amenities of home.

2. General Francis Marion Hotel, Marion

The Washington Post describes walking into the General Francis Marion Hotel as feeling "like a character in the board game ‘Clue.’" Built in 1927, the roaring ’20s are still very much alive in the mansion-like hotel with its original walnut paneling and oak floors in the Ballroom. A Card Room features a black rooster sign, a throwback to prohibition when a black rooster meant "drinks served here." After undergoing major renovations in the early 2000s, the hotel offers modern amenities but preserves all of the elegance of times past.

3. Parrot Cove Houseboat Rentals, Moneta

It’s one thing to stay AT the lake, it’s another thing altogether to stay ON the lake. Parrot Cover Houseboat Rentals at Smith Mountain Lake provides options for up to 10 people with all the conveniences of a hotel – a floating hotel with a water slide, that is.

4. The Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs

Truly a premiere destination getaway, the Omni Homestead Resort serves up good ol’ southern elegance with world-class spa facilities, 2 hot springs, a 2-acre water parked fed by a natural spring and 45 acres of outdoor activities. No wonder 22 U.S. presidents have stayed here since the hotel was built in the 1800s.

5. Craddock Terry Hotel and Event Center, Lynchburg

This elegant boutique hotel in Lynchburg would be hard to forget even without the giant red shoe on the front of the building. Once part of the 5th largest shoe manufacturer in the nation, the Craddock Terry building retains its legacy with exposed brick walls, wooden beam ceilings, and 9-foot windows, but offers all of the elegance and modern features of a world-class hotel.

6. Primland Resort, Meadows of Dan

This beautifully appointed resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains offers everything a luxury resort should – a stunning lodge and suites, cottages, golfing, spa facilities, and much more. But if you’re truly looking for something different, try one of Primland’s premium treehouses. These luxurious suites are a far cry from Swiss Family Robinson with king beds, soaking tubs, and panoramic views. I’ll warn you, they’re not cheap. But some things are just worth it.

7. Cair Paravel, Stanardsville

You may have heard of the latest trend in camping – glamping. And there’s no better way to do this form of glamorized camping than in a yurt or a fully-equipped Airstream camper. At Cair Paravel, you have your choice of both. Located on a working organic farm, Cair Paravel offers its Blue Ridge Mountain Yurt for up to 6 people, complete with access to a saltwater swimming pool and year-round hot tub. If you choose the Airstream, you will enjoy sitting high atop a mountain with stunning views and room for 4 guests.

8. The Morrison House, Alexandria

For a true Colonial experience in the heart of Old Towne Alexandria, The Morrison House combines the intimacy of a bed and breakfast with the comforts of a boutique hotel. Featuring 45 guest rooms, each room is decorated with Federalist style elegance and mirrors the hotel’s overall historic charm.

9. The Martha Washington Inn and Spa, Abingdon

The Martha Washington Inn and Spa has it all with a fascinating history, period décor, and a proper ghost story. Built in 1832 as a private residence, the inn went on to serve as a women’s college, a Civil War hospital (young college women turned nurses for dashing, but dying, young soldiers? You can probably figure out where the ghost story comes in) and eventually a lodging house for actors from the nearby Barter Theater. By 1935, it was a proper hotel and over the years, "The Martha" has hosted guests such as Eleanor Roosevelt, President Harry Truman, Lady Bird Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and Elizabeth Taylor. Today, it remains an Abingdon institution, welcoming guests with premium services and timeless charm.

10. Beliveau Farm, Blacksburg

The only thing nicer than visiting a winery is staying at one – and few offer a more beautiful setting than Beliveau Estates in Blacksburg. Their 5-room bed and breakfast features elegant rooms, three-course breakfasts, and opportunities to try some of their award-winning wines. In 2014, Beliveau was voted "Best B&B in Virginia for a Wine Weekend" by Virginia Wine Lovers Magazine reader’s poll.

11. Hope and Glory Inn, Irvington

Hope and Glory Inn, a former 1890s schoolhouse, provides the perfect lesson in elegance and relaxation. This stunning boutique hotel on the Chesapeake Bay offers well-appointed rooms and cottages, luxurious spa accommodations, and a bar aptly named "Detention" – although it doesn’t seem to be a place anyone minds being sent.

12. Bay Haven Inn, Cape Charles

When it comes to peaceful vacation spots in Virginia, it doesn't get much better than the Bay Haven Inn. Located in the quiet, beachside town of Cape Charles, the Bay Haven Inn is truly a haven. With the beach only a few blocks away, this historical inn was built in 1906 and offers gourmet breakfast, luxurious amenities, and all of the charms you would expect from the Eastern Shore.

13. The Inn at Tabb’s Creek, Port Haywood

The Inn at Tabb's Creek is a beautiful family-operated bed and breakfast overlooking Tabb’s Creek along the Chesapeake Bay receives a perfect score on Trip Advisor and Yelp, as well as being named one of the Top 10 Bed and Breakfasts in the U.S. The romantic waterfront location provides a private dock, comfortable rooms, and outdoor activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and more.

14. The Depot Lodge, Paint Bank

If you’re looking for a variety of accommodations in a beautiful natural setting, look no further than The Depot Lodge. Located in the charming town of Paint Bank, you can choose from guest rooms in the historic train depot station, cottages, cabins, a premium glamping tent, an Airstream camper or an actual train caboose converted into a fabulous and romantic guest room for 2.

15. Kirkner Lake Cabin, Hiwassee

Built in 1840, the Kirkner Lake Cabin on the New River in Pulaski County is a timeless escape to the past. Sip coffee on the porch overlooking the water or relax in front of a fire in the stone fireplace. Even with its modern conveniences, this cabin will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.

16. Osceola Mill Bed & Breakfast, Steele’s Tavern

This original Shenandoah Valley water-powered mill dates back to the 1800s and is one of only 2 mills that remain standing along the Marl Creek. Today, the mill retains many of its original parts and serves as the centerpiece of the Osceola Mill Bed and Breakfast. With a variety of rooms and cabins available, the inn offers fine dining, including a signature candlelight breakfast.

It's never too early to start planning your next getaway -- and these vacation spots in Virginia are the perfect place to start. Be sure to tell us if you've ever stayed at any of these incredible Virginia destinations -- or tell us about any unique, unusual, or just simply amazing places you like to stay!