STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

blink · Coach

richmond, VA

dc · Dooney & Bourke

I lived in Richmond on and off for 3-4 years in my twneties. Loved it. Sounds like your fam lives in the West End. There are some decent hotels out that way, I even worked at one of the big ones back in the day, but actually I'd only stay downtown on a visit because it's pretty and there are good restaurants and bars. It is *such* a small town that if you want the character of the city, the hotels further out just don't have it. I highly recommend the Jefferson and the Berkeley. The Berkeley is in Shockoe Slip (almost Shockoe Bottom) and the Jeferson halfway between there and VCU. But really a few blocks apart. Also down there are some bigger hotels like the Omni and Marriott, but they don't have a lot of personality. (However, if it came down to price, Omni has a great location right near the Berkeley in the Slip).

http://www.berkeleyhotel.com/
http://www.jeffersonhotel.com

Both the Berkeley and the Jefferson have awesome brunches, depending if you prefer a seated prixe fixe (Berkeley) or lavish buffet (Jefferson).

As far as areas to avoid, well, probably anything east or south, just because they're not s convenient. But basically my recs are above - I'd do more downtown. All you have to do is hop on one of the main N-S streets (Cary, Monument, Broad, etc) and you're in the West End in 5 minutes. I just find the West End itself to be very strip-mallish in terms of hotels (but lots of nice houses - it's just more residential).

Anyway, I'll be in Richmond Sunday and if anything else occurs to me while I'm there, I'll come back and post again. HTH!

blink · Coach

thanks for all that info. those hotels are beyond my budget this trip, I am just traveling casually with my mom, my baby son and husband...so we just wanted to stay in a suburb area that it quiet and safe and clean, but under $100 a night. I am glad you mentioned avoiding the South and East sides, good thing we didn't plan to venture over there anyway, so it all works out. I only went to civil war historical stuff and museums last time I was in downtown Richmond, so I am definitely excited to check out the areas you mentioned downtown during the day to get a better sense of the modern day beauty and mood in the city, thank you again!! I also searched some old threads where you have listed great info about Richmond. I have been there a few times in my life, but this time I actually have time to go and relax, explore and dine out.