Hotels in Luray

The Days Inn, on the U.S. 211 bypass north of town (tel. 800/325-2525 or 540/743-4521), is surrounded by acres of farmland, giving most rooms mountain views. The Best Western, on West Main Street/U.S. 211 Business (tel. 800/528-1234 or 540/743-6511), is an older motel opposite the Mimslyn Inn in town. Both have outdoor swimming pools.

Primarily a timeshare operation, Massanutten Resort, P.O. Box 1227, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (tel. 800/207-6277 or 540/289-9441; www.massresort.com), offers year-round outdoor activities. The property has 27 holes of golf, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a half-dozen downhill ski slopes, and areas for snowboarding and snow tubing (riding inner tubes down a gentle slope). The 140 hotel rooms have a queen-size or two double beds, sitting areas, and balconies. Most of the 800-plus timeshare units are equipped with kitchens, fireplaces, and decks, and many have whirlpools. There's a full-service restaurant, a pizzeria, bar, and grocery store on-site. From I-81, take Exit 247A and follow U.S. 33 east 10 miles to the resort entrance on the left.

The "Cabin Capital of Virginia" -- Just as bed-and-breakfasts once spread like wildfire across Virginia, mountain cabins are hot these days. There are so many of them for rent in these parts that Luray calls itself the "Cabin Capital of Virginia." Because many rentals are by the week, cabins and vacation homes are mostly taken by city folk on break from the nearby Washington and Baltimore metropolitan areas. The easiest way to rent is through Allstar Lodging (tel. 866/780-STAR [7827] or 540/843-0606; www.allstarlodging.com), an agency representing many cabin owners.