đź“Ť Charlottesville, Virginia
The Draftsman isn’t just a gorgeous boutique hotel. It’s an independently-owned property that rewards guests with Marriott Bonvoy points. This Black-owned hotel has 150 rooms, an onsite restaurant with epic biscuits and a rooftop gym where you can work out with a view of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. And it’s located within walking distance of just about everything in town.
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Vibe
This hotel feels like a place to be. It’s got a bright welcoming lobby that’s a digital nomad’s dream with plush places for lounging and workspaces with room to spread out. It’s comfortable and classy without being obnoxious.
The Draftsman hotel opened in 2018. It still feels new, and there are lots of little touches to make life on the road easier—things like USB ports, mobile check-in and bikes for rent. There’s also an onsite restaurant, which makes the lobby a lively place to be on college game nights.
Location
The Draftsman hotel is located on Main Street at the edge of downtown Charlottesville. It’s about a block from the University of Virginia campus. There’s a local coffee shop around the corner and the Dairy Market, a food hall that’s well worth a visit, is a short walk away. Amtrak also is within walking distance.
The Draftsman is about five miles from Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s former home, and about 15 miles from the nearest winery. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport to the hotel.
Address: 1106 W. Main St., Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: 434-984-8000
Website:https://thedraftsmanhotel.com/
Email: frontdesk@thedraftsmanhotel.com
Rooms
I once had a Manhattan apartment that was the size of my room at the Draftsman, but there’s no comparison. The hotel room was much better designed. I was in a Signature King, which meant I had a sitting area as well as a comfortable king-size bed.
Huge windows meant I got great natural light for those times I did need to work from my room. There was a safe next to the bed and locally-inspired art on the walls. Instead of locking down snacks in the mini bar, this hotel put snacks out in a welcoming basket—with a price list, of course.
The bathroom was huge and the shower had great water pressure, but if you’re looking to lounge in a luxurious bubble bath, you’re out of luck. There’s no tub. The bathrobe, however, is a fluffy seersucker dream. I typically don’t buy hotel bathrooms, but I’m thinking about starting.
Food & Drink
The Draftsman’s onsite restaurant, The Ridley, is an homage to Dr. Walter N. Ridley, the first Black student to graduate from the University of Virginia and the first person to earn a graduate degree from a historically white public university in the South.
The Ridley is a Black-owned restaurant with a craft cocktail list even a Manhattanite can appreciate. I opted for The Ridley’s take on the classic Old Fashioned and was not disappointed. If I find myself back in Charlottesville in the summer, however, I already know I’ll start with the Thyme for Peaches — a delicious mix of gin, peach preserves, lemon and thyme.
The Ridley serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is known for southern favorites and seafood. Try the homemade cinnamon roll or the bacon, egg and cheese biscuit for breakfast. I’m open to being proven wrong on this, but I’m not sure there’s a better biscuit in Charlottesville.
The dinner menu is heavy on meat dishes like steaks, pork chops, oysters and shrimp, but it also offers vegetarian options, including the kind of fried green tomatoes worth traveling for. Don’t skip the jalapeno cornbread.
The Bottom Line
Nothing about this hotel feels like a chain—except the rewards points. This is a hotel that oozes southern hospitality, doesn’t cut corners on comfort and feels like the one-of-a-kind property it is. It’s a perfect home base for exploring Charlottesville and beyond, even if you do have to do a little work while you’re there.
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*We earn commissions when you book through our partner links, but this is an independent editorial review.
