Keswick, VA:
This contemporary and sophisticated boutique hotel keeps us coming back since our first visit in August of 2022!
We took a couple of trips here and there soon after the thick of the COVID pandemic but many places still had restrictions such as limited hotel amenities as well as access to restaurant reservations and/or availability based on staffing challenges. Don’t get me wrong, we were still grateful for the opportunities that presented during those unprecedented times (who can ever forget). We were just ready for a sense of normalcy again. That’s when I jumped on the internet and started researching (my favorite pass-time, lol) for a full service getaway experience and for the fun of it plugged my typical Google search engine parameter ‘dog friendly travel within five-hours from Wilmington, NC’.
Charlottesville VA popped up in the results. We had never been but had always heard it was relaxing, fun, and full of outdoor activities; basically, versatile enough for a tailored customizable adventure – check, check, check all the boxes for a trip with our favorite furry four-legged travel companion. Already intrigued from stories told by friends who had previously visited, I went with it. I remember looking for ‘things to do’ in the area and naturally a list of wineries came up which is what Charlottesville is known for as well as it’s historical background – but let’s be honest, “they had me at wine!”.
Now, it was time to look for ‘dog friendly hotels‘ but I didn’t have far to look because on one of the Google search pages, there was a small advertisement window promoting (and I kid you not) a “full service luxury resort stay” – I mean, was the universe listening? Caught my eye immediately so I opened it up to find it was everything we were looking for and more!
Keswick Hall is set in the middle of Virginia’s natural splendor and has been an icon of the areas countryside for well over a hundred years. The resorts history is inviting as even after renovations, they still preserve a sense of discrete luxury where guests can retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle into their own calm comfortable space. Keswick’s alluring property highlights and amenities are enchanting. From the long beautiful driveway that directs you to the front doors of the main house to the hospitable welcome received, I am about to take you into one of our dreamiest getaways.
Upon arrival that first visit, we were given the option to sit by the back veranda overlooking the distinguished golf course grounds while the staff finished up with some last minute preparation touches for our upgraded room – who can argue or be upset by a little wait under those circumstances? Especially, since we were greeted with champagne? Not us! And certainly, not Emma because that meant she was also going to sit outside with us to enjoy a healthy snack. This is where I dive in to tell you about one of the best offerings this all inclusive resort provides – DINE options.
Marigold Restaurant by Chef Jean-Georges is the resorts main dining room. The farm-to-table concept kitchen reflects a passionate commitment to fresh, local and organic ingredients. The menu changes often to offer sustainable and seasonal produce – much of it grown at their own farm. Meat, fish and dairy are also locally sourced. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, as well as dinner and you don’t need to be a resort guest to enjoy a reservation. The best part is a SPOILER ALERT! Ugh, and I hesitate to tell you but it was the most remarkable and worthy of remembrance so here it goes. When you’re ready to settle your check, the wait staff presents you with the most beautiful yet strangest little sheet of raw paper. I know right now you’re probably wondering “wait! why is this so memorable?” – because as I sit here typing this I am laughing out loud myself. But the part that got me was that this was not just a beautiful strange little sheet of raw paper. You see, the paper was meant to be planted in soil! Yes, you read that correctly. The raw piece of paper contained seeds of marigolds for you to grow organically at home. The restaurants way of casting one’s mind back to an unforgettable dining experience.
The Counter is the property’s convenient marketplace which offers quick service options. If you miss the breakfast hours at Marigold’s, you still have the opportunity to enjoy delicious lattes, the Jean-Georges juice of the day, and house-made breads. While there, you’ll be equally as tempted by the wide range of retail goods you’ll find irresistible. Branded mugs, glasses, pool-side accessories, candles, diffusers, handcrafted jewelry, puzzles and more, designed so that warm memories of your stay will linger long after you’ve returned home. Before you ask, YES we did shop for memorabilia (wink)!
And last but not least, Crawford’s where we enjoyed many late nights sitting by the fireplace in this cozy bar area sipping on handcrafted cocktails and feasting on small plates while conversing with strangers drawn by Emma’s ‘art of eye contact’ (who can resist petting her now) even when we wanted to ignore the world. Yet, this remains our favorite spot in the hotel by virtue of this dialogue exchange after meeting some of the nicest people with significant life stories to tell – all because of a dog!
Now, let me tell you about our stay and private retreat. Our spacious guest room accommodations were nothing short of luxurious – and whether you choose to stay in a double or king, a deluxe room (balcony or terrace), or suite – they’re all built with splendor in mind. We were given the option of a covered balcony which worked out great with having an outdoorsy-nosy Labrador Retriever. This dog loves to sit outside and smell the fresh air but she also wants to know what other people are doing to make sure she is not missing out on bigger and better things (FOMO). So we put her bed outside where she watched the golf course ‘comings and goings’ at her own discretion. But Emma wasn’t the only one who benefited. I’m not typically a morning person when vacationing. I like to sleep in and sip my coffee in bed. Though oddly enough during this trip, I found myself setting a daily alarm to get out of the bed to catch the sunrise from our balcony view – each and every single one simply as mesmerizing as the next days!
We quickly established a routine and started each day with a stunning sunrise, coffee, and a walk around the property with Emma. The slopping hillsides and golf course served their purpose in Emma’s recovery (good for weight shifting of her hind legs). Our daily activities consisted of taking the resort owned bicycles for a spin around the Keswick residential grounds or hitting the club for a quick workout, sitting by our very own private poolside cabana (rental inquires at the front desk), daily excursion trips to nearby wineries for sips and lunch, and each night ended with dinner and crafted cocktails back on the Keswick property. Construction of the Keswick Spa (highly recommended) was still underway during our August 2022 visit but open when we returned again in April of 2023 and repeated the exact trip almost verbatim (even stayed in the same room from our August 2022 visit) with the exception of chasing after different wineries. It was JUST THAT GOOD!
If you’re on the hunt for luxury accommodations surrounding Charlottesville, VA look no further. Run to book your stay here now. You won’t be disappointed in any way!