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
Smithfield Station
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
management / TripAdvisor
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
Parrot Cove Houseboat Rentals / Facebook
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
The Omni Homestead Resort / Facebook
The Omni Homestead Resort / Facebook
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
Craddock Terry Hotel / Facebook
Craddock Terry Hotel / Facebook
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
Primland Resort / Facebook
Primland Resort
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
Cair Paravel / Swartz Photography
Cair Paravel / Swartz Photography
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
The Morrison House / Facebook
The Morrison House / Facebook
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.

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9. The Martha Washington Inn and Spa, Abingdon
RebelAt (Public Domain) / Wikipedia
Martha Washington Inn and Spa
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
Beliveau Estate Winery and Bed and Breakfast / Facebook
Beliveau Estate Winery and Bed and Breakfast / Facebook
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
Hope and Glory Inn / Facebook
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
Bay Haven Inn
Bay Haven Inn
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
The Inn at Tabb's Creek
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
The Depot Lodge
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
New River Retreat
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
Osceola Mill Bed & Breakfast / Google
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!

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More to Explore

vacation spots in Virginia

Beth C. | October 19, 2020

What's the most beautiful hotel in Virginia?

As you might have guessed from the above article outlining the most unique vacation spots in Virginia, the Old Dominion is blessed with an abundance of beautiful hotels. Among the most famous of them is the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. Built in 1895, this landmark of a hotel is considered to be among the most luxurious in Virginia and perhaps the entire country. According to the website, it's here that you'll find guestrooms that are "reminiscent of an upscale downtown apartment right down to the doorbell." It's the kind of place where guests will love appreciating all the fine details that have gone into the making of this hotel. Plus, there are some truly bizarre stories to go along with them. Did you know, for example, that there used to be a pool of alligators at the Jefferson Hotel?

Does Virginia have any haunted hotels?

It may not surprise you to learn that some of Virginia's most historic hotels are also haunted. One prime example is the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. Among the most famous places inside the hotel is the sixth floor. The founder of Coors Brewing Company was discovered dead inside his room in 1929 and ever since there have been reports of mysterious paranormal activity. Some of these incidents include unexplainable cold spots, windows opening in the middle of the night, and even the sound of disembodied voices. Yikes!

Where can I vacation in the Virginia mountains? 

If you're looking for unique things to do in Virginia, there are few places more beautiful than the Virginia mountains. Whether you're interested in camping or a luxurious getaway, you'll find that there are plenty of accommodations that will allow for a memorable vacation in the Virginia mountains. One must-try places is the Omni Homestead Resort. As mentioned in the article above, it's one of the most unique places to stay in Virginia. Not only does the Homestead offer a fascinating history, but it also features healing hot springs, after which the town of Hot Springs is named. So whether you're looking for outdoor adventure or a healing, rejuvenating vacation, you'll love your time spent at the Omni Homestead Resort.

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Featured Addresses
Smithfield Station, 409 S Church St, Smithfield, VA 23430, USA
107 E Main St, Marion, VA 24354, USA
16441 Booker T Washington Hwy, Moneta, VA 24121, USA
The Omni Homestead Resort, 7696 Sam Snead Hwy, Hot Springs, VA 24445, USA
1312 Commerce St, Lynchburg, VA 24504, USA
4621 Busted Rock Rd, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120, USA
Stanardsville, VA 22973, USA
3002, 116 S Alfred St #101, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
The Martha Washington Inn & Spa, 150 W Main St A, Abingdon, VA 24210, USA
3879 Eakin Farm Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
Hope and Glory Inn, 65 Tavern Rd, Irvington, VA 22480, USA
403 Tazewell Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310, USA
The Inn at Tabbs Creek, 384 Turpin Ln, Port Haywood, VA 23138, USA
Paint Bank, VA 24131, USA
Hiwassee, VA 24347, USA
352 Tye River Turnpike, Vesuvius, VA 24483, USA