Best Hotel Bets

The Best Luxury Accommodations

With deep-enough pockets, you can enjoy some of the Mid-Atlantic's best luxury accommodations in Virginia.

• Morrison House (Alexandria): More like a country inn in the middle of Old Town Alexandria, this small, luxurious hotel isn't that old, but it looks exactly like the Federal-period homes surrounding it. The dining is marvelous.

• The Tides Inn (Irvington): A venerable boating and golfing retreat, The Tides Inn stands among Virginia's elite resorts. The style is more British Raj than Old Virginny, but the facilities are first-rate, including a spa with treatment rooms overlooking Carter's Creek. The golf course is one of Virginia's best.

• Boar's Head Inn (Charlottesville): A 19th-century gristmill serves as the centerpiece of this lakeside resort, on the outskirts of Charlottesville, and lends ancient charm to the Old Mill dining room, one of the best places to sample Virginia wines without trekking to the vineyards. Modern amenities include a full-service spa and access to Charlottesville's best-equipped sports club.

• The Homestead (Hot Springs): Outstanding service, fine cuisine, and a myriad of activities characterize this grand old establishment, in business since Thomas Jefferson's day. In fact, Jefferson was the first of seven presidents to stay here. The Homestead offers accommodations ranging from standard rooms to plush suites. PGA pro Lanny Wadkins presides over its golf course, one of Virginia's finest.

• The Jefferson Hotel (Richmond): A Beaux Arts landmark with Renaissance-style balconies and an Italian clock tower, the Jefferson was opened in 1895 by a wealthy Richmonder who wanted his city to have one of America's finest hotels.

• Williamsburg Inn (Williamsburg): An establishment with three fine golf courses, the Williamsburg Inn was built as part of the Colonial Williamsburg restoration but looks like it might have been here in 1750. If staying in the main inn with its superb service and cuisine won't do, you can opt for one of the restored houses and taverns that have been converted into accommodations.

The Best Moderately Priced Accommodations

Virginia has too many fine, affordable lodgings to mention them all here. The following are some we like best.

• Richard Johnston Inn (Fredericksburg): Elegantly appointed rooms await in these two 18th-century homes across from historic Fredericksburg's visitor center.

• Frederick House (Staunton): A cross between a boutique hotel and a B&B, this collection of Victorian houses is in the heart of Staunton, a quick walk to both Woodrow Wilson's birthplace and the Blackfriars Playhouse.

• Inn at Gristmill Square (Warm Springs): A naturally warm spring used to turn the water wheel of the gristmill that makes up part of this comfortable inn. Some rooms are in an old barn and silo.

• Hampton Inn Col Alto (Lexington): No ordinary Hampton Inn, Col Alto is an 1827 manor house converted into a comfortable B&B-type hotel. Even if you stay in the modern motel buildings next door, you'll eat your continental breakfast in the period dining room.

• Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (Roanoke): The grand, Tudor-style Hotel Roanoke stood in a wheat field when the Norfolk & Western Railroad built it in 1882. It was closed in 1989, but a $45-million renovation completely restored its grand public areas to their original appearance and rebuilt all its rooms to modern standards.

• Summerfield Inn (Abingdon): Ideally situated a block behind the Barter Theatre, this bed-and-breakfast offers spacious rooms in a converted carriage house, one with a two-person hot tub and walk-in shower.

• Linden Row Inn (Richmond): This row of Victorian-era town houses has been renovated but not restored, which has left the rooms with 12-foot ceilings, a mix of late Empire and Victorian pieces, and marble-top dressers.

• The Fife & Drum Inn (Williamsburg): Upstairs over the stores of Merchants Square, this charming bed-and-breakfast has Williamsburg's Historic Area right out its front door. For those who can't handle climbing up the stairs, owners Billy and Sharon Scruggs, themselves Williamsburg natives, have a Colonial-style cottage to rent around the corner.

The Best Inexpensive Accommodations

Virginia has many clean, comfortable motels of the budget-chain variety. But for something a little more special, check out the following choices.

• Fredericksburg Colonial Inn (Fredericksburg): Don't be surprised to see Blues and Grays toting Civil War rifles in the lobby; this place is very popular with reenactors. An avid collector, the owner has laden the rooms with antiques.

• Best Western Cavalier Inn at the University (Charlottesville): The University of Virginia owns and spotlessly maintains this older motel, a half-mile west of the Rotunda, the center of campus.

• Big Meadows & Skyland lodges (Shenandoah National Park): With stunning views from atop the Blue Ridge Mountains, these two rustic but charming inns are surprisingly affordable. Just be sure to reserve as early as possible.

• Llewellyn Lodge (Lexington): This B&B within an easy walk of Lexington's many attractions is made special by owners John and Ellen Roberts, who willingly share their knowledge not only of the town but the surrounding wilderness.

• Luray Caverns Motel West (Luray): This old-fashioned motel sits across the highway from the famous caverns, which owns it and keeps it spotless.

• Anderson Cottage (Warm Springs): A real warm spring courses behind this charming B&B in one of Bath County's oldest buildings. It's stocked with so many of owner Jean Randolph Bruns' family heirlooms that it seems as much museum as place to stay.

• Colony House Motor Lodge (Roanoke): This older but clean and very well-maintained motel is convenient to both downtown Roanoke and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Doors to the rooms have louvers to let in fresh air but not light -- an unusual touch for any inexpensive hotel.

• Quarterpath Inn (Williamsburg): You can walk to Williamsburg's Historic Area from this clean, family-owned motel east of town.

• Belvedere Resort Motel (Virginia Beach): With the Atlantic Ocean out its back door, this comfortable, clean establishment is the last family-owned motel on the Virginia Beach oceanfront.