Classic Elegance & Refined Southern Hospitality
Rolling hills speckled with vineyards, sprawling country estates, horse farms and historic homes make up the scenic backdrop of lovely Charlottesville, Virginia.
Offering an abundance of natural beauty, history and urban sophistication, Charlottesville is truly a special place. Ranked consistently as one of the best small cities to live in America, Charlottesville has been hailed as “a little piece of heaven” by locals and visitors alike.
The unique and welcoming charm of the city is rooted in Charlottesville’s masterful integration of historic architecture and traditions with contemporary style and modern conveniences.
Past and present creatively coexist.
Add in the stunning countryside, spectacular mountain views and a dynamic arts/entertainment scene and you have the makings for a world-class destination.
Fast Fact: The Best time to visit is NOW! Historic Charlottesville turns the big 250 in 2012. The year-long birthday celebration will feature a series of special events and festivals. For more info visit: www.celebrate250.com
Nestled on a pristine 100 acre estate just minutes from the downtown center, you will discover a tranquil garden retreat offering exceptional service, fine dining and upscale amenities. The Clifton Inn, once the site of a bustling commercial trading post, is an authentic and elegant extension of Charlottesville’s rich past and refined southern hospitality. This gracious historic manor has been beautifully restored to a AAA Four-Diamond Relais & Châteaux luxury resort hotel.
A private road leads to a circular driveway surrounded by lush landscaping, walking trails and colorful flower beds. A lake, tennis courts and a dazzling infinity pool are in the distance.
The period architecture and rustic design touches – antiques, white-washed walls, pine floors, exposed brick and rough-hewn ceiling beams – are among the remnants of the home’s humble beginnings. Today, The Clifton Inn, skillfully transformed, offers a standard of excellence that far exceeds the expectations of even the most discerning clientele.
* Forbes (formerly Mobil) Four Star -Award Winner
* Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine
Guests are greeted by the towering white columns and grand front porch entrance of the main house. The Clifton Inn features a total of eighteen distinct rooms, suites and cottage residences. A renovated carriage house, converted stable suites and a spacious country farmhouse are popular lodging options for those who prefer more intimate accommodations away from the main home. Wood-burning fireplaces, soaking claw-foot tubs, private view terraces, and sitting parlors add a touch of classic old world comfort to the overall hotel experience. Madeira, a favorite spirit of the forefathers, is the signature suggested night-cap; guests are treated to a complimentary carafe in their room.
Indulgence is no longer a wish but a right on these hallowed grounds. Croquet on the lawn, cocktails by the pool, wine tastings and tours of the area’s 24+ vineyards and VIP seats at the local polo match become priorities over email and returning voicemail messages.
Privileged Pleasures Prevail.
The Clifton Inn’s appeal and accolades extend beyond its guest rooms and prime location to its cuisine.
The innovative and farm-fresh menus of the Clifton Inn’s famed dining room will not disappoint. Chef Tucker Yoder taps into Virginia’s bounty of local ingredients and the region’s award-winning wines for a tantalizing culinary experience that is hard to forget. Guests are invited to sample a variety of delectable dishes with a custom three to five course tasting dinner menu. Classic heritage creations like Poached Oysters Salsify, inspired by Thomas Jefferson, are showcased in the mix. Other favorites include a Celery Root and Black Truffle Soup, Braised Pork Trotter, and Chef Tucker’s notorious Honey-lacquered Duck Breast served on a fluffy bed of stone-ground grits. Dinner reservations are highly recommended. Expect one dinner seating nightly, given the staff’s attention to detail with every serving. Dining guests are so immersed in the cuisine that sitting and savoring Tucker’s sweet southern fare for hours is easily done and accepted. You won’t find waiters rushing to turn tables. You will only find a professional international team of hospitality experts eager to serve and inspire.
Rest, Romance and Refinement are all within reach when visiting this elegant retreat.
The Clifton Inn works to make every moment of your stay … history in the making!
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia – Albemarle County
Address: 1296 Clifton Inn Drive
Charlottesville, VA
434-971-1800
Route 250 East approximately 15 minutes from downtown Charlottesville and the University of Virginia.
Airports:
Richmond Airport: 1 hour
Washington-Dulles & Reagan Washington International Airports: 2-3 hours
Drive Times:
From Washington D.C. (2.5 to 3 hours)
From Richmond (1.5 hours)
For special promotions and packages, visit The Clifton Inn Website online.
Total Accommodations: 18 private units
Garden Rooms: $170-$375
Suites: $200-$695
Carriage House & Honeymoon Cottage: $395-$785
Select rooms are pet friendly – $75 per night fee.
Standard Room Features & Amenities:
- EarlyAmerican Antique Furniture & Accents
- Quality Masconi linens & robes
- Molton Brown Bath Products
- Spa Jet Showers
- Flat Screen TVs
- High Speed Wireless Internet
- Bose Sound Systems & Clocks
- Complimentary Parking
- Complimentary Continental Breakfast & Afternoon Tea
- Evening Turn-Down Service
- 24 hour Concierge/Guest Service
- Complimentary Carafe of Madiera Wine
Diva Top Pick for Romance: The Blue Ridge Suite
This beautiful and bright suite features floor to ceiling windows for optimal sunshine; a private entrance and porch facing the pool; a living room with a full sofa bed and desk; and a cozy bedroom with a queen size plush bed. The bathroom is updated with a modern glass door shower.
Recommended Activities:
Explore Wine Country – The Monticello Wine Trail features over 24 boutique Central Virginia award-winning vineyards. Not to Miss: Blenheim Vineyards boasts the best in wine and ambience, especially with celebrity musician, Dave Matthews at the helm. And, the King Family Vineyards annual fundraiser benefiting the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation in June – The Pink Ribbon Polo Classic. A true classic “Polo & Pearls” event!
A Triple Play History Lesson – Tour the country’s most celebrated Presidential homes: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Ashlawn-Highland and James Madison’s Montpelier.
Main Steet Market – 416 West Main Street. Over nine specialty gourmet shops under one roof. From an organic butcher, fresh seafood market, an artisan bakery, a cheese shop and more.
Diva Spotlight: Sustain, Inc. – a green boutique specializing in unique environmentally keen apparel, accessories and furnishings (just steps from the market entrance)
Shopping Extraordinaire – Uncover fabulous finds at the countless boutiques on the mall, Charlottesville’s pedestrian friendly downtown retail mecca.
Diva Delights:
- Vintage Vixen – 300 East Market. Eclectic, Upscale and Couture Fashion Consignment Boutique.
- Charlottesville Arts Cooperative Gallery -118 East Main Street. Featured works by 60+ local artists.
- Circa – 1700 Allied Street. Voted the region’s top Antique/Collectible/Vintage Furniture store.
- Caspari -100 West Main Street. Flagship store featuring exclusive Caspari line of quality tableware, decorative accents, invitations, gifts and more!
- Yves Delorme of Paris ” Outlet Store”- 311 East Main Street. High Quality Linens and Bedding at a Super Savings!
Good Eats:
Downtown lunch and Sunday Brunch hotspot: Petit Pois Restaurant – 201 East Main Street. A quaint french bistro with an affordable farm-fresh menu and a gracious staff.
Check out The Scout Guide to Charlottesville online for the inside scoop on local best bets.
It’s Garden Party Time – April 2012:
The Clifton Inn is kicking off Virginia Historic Garden Week with a special garden party book signing with Southern Living contributor, James Farmer, author of A Time to Plant: Southern-Style Garden Living on April 22, 2012.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with book signing and cocktails, followed by a garden inspired dinner created by Chef Tucker Yoder using produce and ingredients from local Charlottesville farmers and purveyors.
Take Advantage of The Clifton Inn’s Special Spring Savings Package:
Available: Garden Week, April 21-28
Everything is Rosy
Garden Room – $295 per night
* Garden Room accommodations
* Official Garden Week Guidebook
* Spring floral arrangement welcome amenity
* Made-to-order breakfast
* Afternoon tea for two
