Where can we stay?

We have friends and family coming from all parts of Virginia and even from California for our Harvest Party on October 20, 2012 (details to be announced soon — we promise!).  We’ve had a couple of requests for recommendations of where to stay.  Southern Virginia is terra incognita to most people, so we have a visitor’s guide that includes a list of accommodations and attractions on our website.  We’ll point out a few of the highlights here — all unique places that are sure to tempt (or perhaps horrify) the adventurous traveler.  We encourage you to make a weekend of it and plan on a Friday arrival, have an interesting dinner, spend Saturday morning sightseeing, then join us that afternoon for the party.  We’ll feed you well — you will not be disappointed!

There are a range of choices, from simple cabin rentals to motels to the expected bed and breakfast, and one luxury resort, all within 30+/- miles.   We’ve noted dining options convenient to each, and the mileage from Annefield.  There are additional dining options noted on our website if these don’t tempt you.  This list is not comprehensive, so please see our website for additional places.  This list is organized by distance.

Diamond Hill (13.4 miles).  Closest to us is  Diamond Hill, which recently opened in the heart of the Charlotte Court House Historic District, offering two guest rooms.  Down the road you will find Mimmo’s Italian Restaurant.  Since they are brand new, no doubt they’ll try harder to please you than many other places.

The Henry House (13.8 miles).  Just up the road (and around the bend) from Diamond Hill is The Henry House Bed & Breakfast in Charlotte Court House.  One of the owners, Paul Masselin, is a graduate  of Les Ecole des Arts et Meitiers, the Swiss Culinary Arts Institute, and on request can prepare dinner for you.  They also have a hot tub.

Sheldon’s Motel (18.5 miles).  During the two years it took to renovate the house, we visited every two or three weeks to meet with the contractor and inspect the work.  We needed an affordable option so our usual place was Sheldon’s Motel in Keysville.  It’s a good, solid clean place; the restaurant serves an excellent breakfast, and the fried chicken is outstanding.  Dinner there is a hearty, simple affair, but if you want something fancier, you’ll have to travel a bit.  Farmville would be your best bet, with Charley’s Waterfront Café. Very close by (but not walking distance) is a new place we have yet to try, called Badeaux’s Cajun Kitchen.

Cooper’s Landing Inn (26 miles).  We must not forget Cooper’s Landing Inn & Traveler’s Tavern in Clarksville , with its own restaurant and an idyllic setting in the heart of the Clarksville Historic District.

Cage’s Bed & Breakfast (27.4 miles).  In Halifax we have Cage’s Bed & Breakfast, which is walking distance to Molasses Grill in the Mountain Road Historic District.  Just two rooms are available.  We see firsthand a tradition of hospitality here, because this inn is owned by the mother of Barbara Cage, the co-owner of Bistro 1888.

Charles Bass House (27.6 miles).  When the house was being restored we stayed one weekend at this particular charmer, the Charles Bass House Bed & Breakfast in South Boston.   It’s a great location on Main Street near downtown South Boston, with just two suites available  – and a hot tub, if that’s your pleasure.  South Boston’s Bistro 1888 is a 15 minute walk from here.  Dare we ask, what’s with all the hot tubs?

Falkland Farms (29.9 miles).  Another interesting place is Falkland Farms, a plantation and hunting preserve comprised of over 7,600 acres, the largest single tract of privately owned land in Virginia.  You don’t have to shoot things to stay there, and if you fall in love with the place and decide you can’t live without it, it is on the market for $26 million.  Accommodations there include breakfast, but for dinner reservations your best bet is either Halifax or South Boston, where you can find a number of restaurants in addition to those noted in this post.

Berry Hill Resort (31.8 miles).  On the far side of South Boston is Berry Hill, the local resort we’ve written about in the past (Our Very Own Parthenon: Berry Hill.).  They have their own restaurant, Carrington’s, which is excellent.  This is probably the most expensive (and luxurious) option.