Find Your Perfect Escape: 17 Luxury Retreats in Virginia

Williamsburg, 2.5 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: True southern hospitality

Starting out strong, this Forbes Five Star-rated resort has some of the best amenities in the world. Expect 62 guest rooms decked out with regency-style décor, an in-house spa, and stunning outdoor spaces including the iconic Golden Horseshoe Golf Club. It’s no surprise this place is the pick of celebrities and royalty worldwide.

Keswick, 2 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Complete relaxation

The ultimate slice of respite in the heart of the Virginia hills. Framed by bounds of forest, you can unwind in the resort’s infinity pool afront an unreal backdrop. See if the views put your off your putt on the Full Cry Golf Course. Tennis is available year-round, as is the Keswick Hall Spa. What better way to end your day than polishing off a plate of Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s cuisine?

Richmond, 2 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Mixing business and pleasure

This Forbes Five Star hotel is set up with state-of-the-art audiovisual services and a refined business centre. Accessible 24 hours a day, it’s the perfect spot to host meetings, catch up with work, or complete your studies. Plus, when you clock off, you’ve got the Lemaire restaurant waiting for you. Their new American menu does not disappoint.

Middleburg, 35 minutes from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Outdoor activities

Unmatched when it comes to views, this Forbes Five Star-rated resort enjoys 340 acres of countryside on its doorstep. You can take up zip-lining, tennis, archery, and enjoy the private outdoor courtyard and heated pool. The resort is also home to one of the finest equestrian facilities in the country, with 25 on-site acres for riding – and that’s just the start. A huge indoor spa, complete with 14 treatment rooms, seals the deal.

Charlottesville, 2.5 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Unreal cuisine

Originally constructed in 1799, this boutique hotel was once home to Thomas Jefferson’s daughter and her husband. You’ll find mid-century details in each of the 20 guest rooms, but this hotel’s far from outdated. Michelin-starred Chef Matthew Bousquet heads up the restaurant using local ingredients. A private lake, croquet lawn, and infinity pool are among some of the other gems tucked away in this masterpiece of a hotel. If you’ve got an appetite for luxury, this one’s for you.

Meadows of Dan, 5 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Nature lovers

Nestled in a nook of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this resort has views for days. How better to enjoy them than through the resort’s range of outdoor activities? With a world-class golf course, countless nature trails, fly fishing ponds, and RTV tracks, you can try your hand at pretty much any pastime you can think of. The accommodation is split into separate lodges, cottages, and even tree houses for a once-in-a-lifetime stay. Your inner child will thank you.

Middleburg, 50 minutes from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Romantic getaways

Live out your Romeo and Juliet fantasies in this charming 265-acre estate, complete with restored English and French décor. Here, romance is in the air and satisfaction is on the menu. Its signature restaurant and new bistro feature fresh ingredients from the on-property farm. 18 guest rooms and suites are divided into 6 separate residences, mere minutes from Loudon County’s award-winning wineries.

Charlottesville, 2.5 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: A switch-off experience

Introducing the only Four Diamond resort in Charlottesville. Backdropped by the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains, everything about Boar’s Head Resort is draped in natural wonder. It’s connected to a network of nature trails and features its own racquet and fitness club, as well as the top-ranked Birdwood Golf Course with 18 championship holes, so you don’t have to feel too guilty about indulging in its exceptional restaurant.

Orange, 2 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Refuelling and relaxing

Sat in the Piedmont region of the Virginia Foothills, this Forbes Four Star hotel offers an escape like no other. It was founded in 1778 with a classic American look and feel, but its world-class day spa couldn’t be more modern. Complete with a saltwater pool, this 3,000 square foot spa is the perfect place for a pamper sesh. In line with its aesthetic, the resort’s award-winning restaurant serves up classic American dishes with a twist.

Virginia Beach, 3 hours 40 minutes from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Old American glamour

Arguably the most iconic hotel in the country, the Cavalier Hotel defines luxury. Take its location – perched on the Virginia beachfront, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean as the waves lap onto its private beach. Despite its modern appeal, its legacy’s even richer. The Cavalier Hotel has welcomed 10 US Presidents and countless celebrities over the years. With an AAA Four Diamond rating, this place would be fit for royalty, too.

Barboursville, 2 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: History buffs

Walking into this classic Georgian villa is like stepping back in time. The grounds are divided up into separate cottages which were originally constructed for domestic servants, gardeners, and live-in physicians. Now repurposed as separate guest rooms, you can enjoy absolute privacy and seclusion on your retreat. Library 1821 is the estate’s tasting room, where you can work your way through cellar vintages aged up to 20 years.

Washington, 1 hour 10 minutes from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Lovers at heart

From its floral décor to its crystal chandeliers, Inn at Little Washington is a fairytale destination that could make anyone believe in love. Its on-site restaurant is the perfect place for date night, separated from the rest of your world in your own 18th-century bubble. Plus, the kitchen’s collecting awards like it’s going out of fashion, the latest being a 2023 Forbes Five Star rating, so you know it’s worth checking out.

Alexandria, 35 minutes from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Old charm

Tucked away in Alexandria’s Old Town, this place is within walking distance of King Street, the iconic shopping district. Aside from bagging bargains and waterfront views, this hotel situates you in the heart of your own historic getaway. 45 relaxed rooms are complete with Federalist-style décor and luxury features like floor-to-ceiling windows and authentic fireplaces. Plus, The Study restaurant is a must-visit with its regionally sourced dishes and classic cocktails. You can’t go wrong.

Charlottesville, 2 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: All-American everything

Being deemed “one of America’s true treasures” at the 27th annual World Travel Awards is as good an intro as any. 15 minutes from downtown Charlottesville, this gem is located within the Monticello wine trail and surrounded by the largest vineyard in Virginia. The hotel features a tasting room, library bar and private dining room, whilst the grounds are complete with a pool and hot tub. With sprawling views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there’s no better place to unwind with a glass of pinot.

Tysons Corner, 25 minutes from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Entertainment

Celebrating local culture is at the heart of The Ritz-Carlton. Nearby Tysons Galleria is home to countless high-end brands for you to up your souvenir game, or why not suss out Washington’s attractions? Not that you’ll need to venture far from the hotel for something to do. With a club lounge, dedicated event space, wine tasting, live music, and the renowned Ritz-Carlton Spa, this hotel has everything and more to keep you entertained for your whole trip.

Williamsburg, 2.5 hours from Dulles Airport
Best for: Ultimate luxury

There’s some tough competition for luxury destinations, but this estate might top them all. Originally built as a private mansion, this place is your ticket to living like royalty. Having undergone a $3M renovation, The Estate is a 7000 square foot four-bedroom private property designed just for you. With an expanded patio, infinity pool and serene views of the James River, it shouldn’t be too hard to switch off from reality. Personal SUVs and golf carts are on-hand, as is your own private chef and estate manager. Your wish is their command.

Bristol, 5.5 hours from Dulles International Airport
Best for: Vineyards

If you’ve got a wine lover in your life, staying here is the way to keep them. This tranquil escape combines 450 acres of rolling farmland in the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains. The vineyard views go on for days, you’ll never find another retreat like it. The on-site team offer guided tours and tastings, but not before fuelling up in the resort’s signature restaurant, Hickory. If that’s not enough to keep you occupied, the infinity pool, archery field, yoga classes, and 21-hole championship golf course would beg to differ.