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Hotels
Best Western Cavalier Inn
University area
105 N. Emmet St. at Ivy Road
Charlottesville, 22903
296-8111
118 rooms
$83 weekday, $93 weekend
AC, N/S rooms, airport shuttle, outdoor pool, exercise facility pass, continental breakfast, cable TV, no pets
Walk to: UVA
Boar's Head Inn
Route 250 area
200 Ednam Drive
Charlottesville, 22903
296-2181
171 rooms
$175-500, depending on time of week and season
A/C, N/S, airport shuttle, outdoor pool, exercise facility, cable TV, no pets, laundry service, golf course, tennis courts, spa
Walk to: Boar's Head Shops
Budget Inn
Route 29 North area
140 N Emmet St.
Charlottesville, 22903
293-5141
38 rooms
$40-75
AC, N/S rooms, cable TV, no pets
Walk to: UVA
Chester Bed & Breakfast
Scottsville area
243 James River Road
286-3960
$165-225
AC, N/S, full breakfast
Walk to: Scottsville
Clifton - The Country Inn
Shadwell area
1296 Clifton Inn Drive
888-971-1800
After renovations following a tragic fire, the Inn reopened this year. 14; 7 rooms, 7 suites
$195-495 depending on accommodations, season, and time of week
AC, N/S, pool, full breakfast, tennis courts, fireplaces, spa, croquet, pets allowed for a fee,private lake with walking trails
Walk to: the Rivanna River
Comfort Inn
Route 29 North area
1807 Emmet St.
293-6188
64 rooms
$87.98weekdays/$105.98 weekends. $112.95 special events.
AC, N/S rooms, outdoor pool, gym privileges, continental breakfast, cable TV, pets allowed
Walk to: Red Lobster
Comfort Inn
Pantops area
2097 Inn Drive
977-3300
99 rooms
$69-129
AC, N/S rooms, outdoor pool, cable TV, laundry service, high speed internet
Walk to: Interstate 64
Cottages at Chesley Creek
Dyke/Earlysville area
a dirt road leading up Brokenback Mountain
985-7129
4 cottages
$150-175
Kitchen with gas range or cooktop, microwave, refrigerator/freezer, BBQ grill on the deck, jacuzzi
Walk to: mountains
Courtyard by Marriott
Route 29 North area
638 Hillsdale Drive
973-7100
150 rooms
$59-169, depending on time of week
AC, N/S rooms, airport shuttle 8am-10pm, indoor pool, exercise facility, cable TV, no pets, laundry service
Walk to: Applebee's Restaurant
Courtyard by Marriott
University area
1201 W. Main St.
977-1700
137 rooms and suites
$104-179
Airport shuttle, indoor pool, exercise facility, cable TV, no pets, laundry service
Walk to: UVA/Medical Center
Days Inn
Route 29 North area
1600 Emmet St.
293-9111
127 rooms, 2 suites
$59.95-89.95 (up to $149.95 for suites)
AC, N/S rooms, airport shuttle, outdoor pool, exercise facility, cable TV, pets allowed, laundry service
Walk to: Bodo's Bagels
DoubleTree Hotel
Route 29 North area
990 Hilton Heights Road
973-2121
235 rooms
$95-129
AC, N/S rooms, airport shuttle, indoor and outdoor pools, exercise facility, cable TV, pets allowed, laundry service, tennis courts, wireless internet
Walk to: Sam's Club and Wal-Mart
Econo Lodge University
Route 29 North area
400 Emmet St.
296-2104
60 rooms
$59.99-67.99
N/S rooms, outdoor pool, cable TV, in-room refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers, complimentary continental breakfast, Inernet access
Walk to: University Hall, Barracks Road Shopping Center
Econo Lodge North
Route 29 North area
2014 Holiday Drive
295-3185
47 rooms
$60-75
AC, N/S rooms, cable TV, no pets, complimentary continental breakfast, highspeed wireless Internet
Walk to: Aberdeen Barn steak house
English Inn of Charlottesville
Route 29 North area
2000 Morton Drive
971-9900
67 rooms, 21 mini-suites
$75-95
AC, N/S rooms, airport shuttle, indoor pool, exercise facility, full breakfast, no pets allowed, laundry service, highspeed Internet access, complimentary high tea daily, access to ACAC
Walk to: Bodo's Bagels
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
Route 29 North area
577 Branchlands Blvd.
964-9411
121 rooms
$75-$94
AC, N/S rooms, outdoor pool, gym privileges, continental breakfast, cable TV, no pets, high-speed internet
Walk to: Toys R Us
The Foxfield Inn
Western Albemarle area
2280 Garth Road
923-8892
5 rooms
$150-$235
AC, N/S, full breakfast, cable TV, no pets, outdoor spa, wireless Internet access, Bose CD radios
Walk to: hills and trees
Hampton Inn of Charlottesville
Route 29 North area
2035 India Road
978-7888
123 rooms
$80-100
AC, N/S rooms, airport shuttle, outdoor pool, exercise facility, continental breakfast, cable TV, no pets, laundry service, high speed Internet access
Walk to: Seminole Square Shopping Center
Hampton Inn and Suites
Midtown area
900 W. Main St.
923-8600
100 rooms
$95-160
AC, N/S rooms, airport shuttle, exercise facility, full breakfast, cable TV, no pets, laundry service, high speed Internet connection in rooms, wireless in lobby
Walk to: UVA
High Meadows Inn
Scottsville area
55 High Meadows Lane
286-2218
12 rooms, 3 carriage houses
$199-380 (2 deluxe rooms at $440)
AC, N/S rooms, exercise facility, full breakfast, laundry service, dinner (additional), champagne, wine tasting
Walk to: Lumpkin's Restaurant
Holiday Inn University
Route 29 South area
1901 Emmet St.
977-7700
$79-109
170 guest rooms, 1 suite
AC, N/S rooms, airport shuttle, indoor pool, exercise facility, no pets, laundry service, wireless, business center, free access to Gold's Gym
Walk to: Milan
Holiday Inn- Monticello
Fifth Street Extended area
1200 Fifth St.
977-5100
130 rooms, 1 suite
$84.95-$89.95
AC, N/S rooms, no airport shuttle, outdoor pool, exercise facility, cable TV, pets allowed, laundry service, wireless, Charlotte's restaurant next door
Walk to: Interstate 64
The Inn at Afton
Junction of I-64 and 250 East
P.O. Box 849
Waynesboro, 22980
540-942-5201
118 rooms
$60-92
AC, N/S rooms, outdoor pool, cable TV, pets allowed, conference rooms
Walk to: Swannanoa
The Inn at Court Square
Downtown area
410 E. Jefferson St.
295-2800
6 rooms plus a two-bedroom suite
$99-269
AC, N/S, super continental breakfast, cable TV, no pets, free parking
Walk to: Downtown Mall
The Inn at Monticello
Monticello area
1188 Scottsville Road
979-3593
5 rooms
$150-175
AC, N/S, full breakfast, no pets, wireless Internet
Walk to: hills and trees
The Inn at Sugar Hollow Farm
Western Albemarle area
6051 Sugar Hollow Road
823-7086
9 rooms
$140-195 (large master suite $275)
AC, N/S, full breakfast, fireplaces, no pets, Internet access
Walk to: hills and trees
Inn at the Crossroads
5010 Plank Road
979-6452
5 rooms, 1 guest house
$119-139
AC, N/S, full breakfast, fireplaces, no pets
Walk to: hills and trees
Keswick Hall at Monticello
Keswick area
701 Club Drive
979-3440
45 rooms, 3 suites
$435-$650
AC, N/S rooms, indoor/outdoor pool, exercise facility, cable TV, laundry service, pets allowed, golf course, tennis courts, spa, high-speed Internet in rooms
Walk to: country club you can use
Lafayette Inn
Stanardsville area
146 Main Street
Stanardsville, 22973
985-6345
6 rooms, 1 guest cottage
$85-179
AC, N/S, full breakfast, fireplaces, pets allowed, wireless Internet, Lafayette Inn restaurant on premises, jazz every Wednesday night (7:30pm), wine tasting Thursdays (4-6pm), Sunday brunch 11am-2pm
Walk to: downtown Stanardsville
Old Courthouse Inn
Palmyra
589-1977
4 rooms
$120-150
AC, N/S, full breakfast, pool, no pets, wireless Internet
Walk to: Old Stone Jail Museum
Omni Charlottesville Hotel
Downtown Mall area
235 W. Main St.
971-5500
208 rooms and suites
$139-179 (suites $259)
AC, N/S rooms, indoor pool, outdoor pool, exercise facility, cable TV, small pets allowed, laundry service, wireless Internet, Business center, The Pointe restaurant attached
Walk to: Downtown Mall
Prospect Hill Plantation Inn
Louisa County area
Route 613
Trevillians, 22903
800 277-0844
13 rooms
$295-495
AC, N/S, outdoor pool, full breakfast, dinner, fireplaces, no pets
Walk to: hills and trees
Quality Inn
University area
1600 Emmet St.
971-3746
69 rooms
$59-95
AC, N/S rooms, outdoor pool, exercise facility, continental breakfast, cable TV, pets allowed, laundry service, high-speed wireless Internet
Walk to: Aberdeen Barn steak house
Red Carpet Inn
Route 29 North area
405 Premier Circle
973-8133
115 rooms
$55-85
AC, N/S rooms, outdoor pool, cable TV, pets allowed
Walk to: Shopper's World shopping center
Red Roof Inn
Midtown area
1309 W. Main St.
295-4333
135 rooms
$69.99-99.99
AC, N/S rooms, cable TV, small pets allowed, complimentary coffee, wireless Internet, laundry service
Walk to: UVA
Residence Inn by Marriott
Route 29 North area
1111 Millmont St.
923-0300
108 suites
$124-194
AC, N/S rooms, outdoor pool, exercise facility, buffet breakfast, cable TV, pets allowed, laundry service, laundry room, high speed Internet, evening socials (Mon-Th)
Walk to: Barracks Road Shopping Center
Royal Inn Motel
Route 29 north area
410 Premier Crcle
973-2111
46 rooms
$52.95-56.95
AC, N/S rooms, weekly rates, AARP discount
Walk to: Toys R Us, Food Lion
Silver Thatch Inn
Route 29 North area
3001 Hollymead Drive
978-4686
7 rooms
$145-185
AC, N/S, outdoor pool, full breakfast
Walk to: hills and trees
South River Country Inn
Stanardsville area
3011 South St. Road
Stanardsville, 22903
985-2901
4 rooms
$110-179
AC, N/S, airport shuttle, outdoor pool, full breakfast, cable TV, no pets, laundry facility
Walk to: downtown Stanardsville
Super 8
29 North area
390 Greenbrier Drive
973-0888
65 rooms
$35.71-89.99
AC, N/S rooms, HBO, continental breakfast, fax, Internet access
Walk to: Golden Corral
200 South Street Inn
Downtown area
200 W. South St.
979-0200
18 rooms, 2 suites
$130-250
AC, N/S, continental breakfast, cable TV, no pets, wine and cheese
Walk to: Downtown Mall
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Roads
The big interstates nearby are I-64, which is nice, rural, and rarely crowded; I-81, which is terrifyingly full of tractor-trailers exceeding the speed limit; I-66 to the north, which is prone to traffic jams; and I-95, which seems to be one continual gridlock all the way to Florida.
Other major highways include U.S. 29, which, although it slows down considerably in the commercial strip in Albemarle County called Seminole Trail, is actually a pretty speedy way to go north and south. Ditto for Rt. 250 east and west.
You can check road status by clicking Road Conditions for a state-run interactive site that shows the location of construction and accidents, and kinds of weather that may slow your travel. You can get some of this info by dialing 800-367-ROADS.
Planes
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO), although long scorned as puddle-jumper central, is now famous for its direct jets to several fat hubs. It's located about 20 minutes north of downtown in a scenic place called Earlysville. Currently, there are nearly 60 daily departures and the same number of arrivals. Website shows some pretty competitive fares to top destinations.
Carriers: United Express, U.S. Airways Express, Delta/Com Air, and Northwest.
Direct to: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York, Washington, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and-- as of November 1, 2005-- Orlando!
Parking: hugs the terminal, $6-9/day
Amenities: snack bar, mountain views
Little-known fact: one free hour of parking with purchase at snack bar/gift shop.
Other airports
With gobs of flights to near and far places, Washington Dulles (IAD), two hours north of town (unless I-66 is backed up), draws many travelers who might otherwise depart from Charlottesville. Take your pick from many parking options. If you don't want to spring for $15/day for convenient parking, allow at least 20 extra minutes to get from the vast economy parking ($9/day) lots to the beautiful single-terminal airport.
A comfortable mid-size airport, Richmond International (RIC) often offers competitive fares to domestic cities. The drive is a simple hour and 20-minute shot east on never-jammed I-64.
Other airports occasionally used by Charlottesville travelers include Reagan National (DCA) (2hrs), BWI (Baltimore-Washington International) (2hrs 30min), and Norfolk International (ORF) (2hrs 45min). Less likely: the skimpily served Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), aka "Weyers Cave," about 45 minutes northwest of downtown Charlottesville.
Trains
Charlottesville is incredibly blessed as one of America's smallest cities to have passenger service in three different directions. Even if the provider, Amtrak, is always teetering on the edge of financial disaster, the rails score points for romantic, affordable, kid-friendly travel.
Departures per day: 2.85 (no joke-- the Cardinal comes through only six times a week; the Crescent comes through twice a day)
Location: 810 W. Main in the heart of midtown
National reservations: 800-872-7245
Charlottesville station (CVS): 296-4559
Counter hours: 6am-9:30pm
Parking: onsite lot-- $3/day; $5/overnight
Service: The Charlottesville station is served by two trains whose service was just renewed by Congress, The Crescent, which runs between New York and New Orleans, and The Cardinal, which runs between Washington, D.C. and Chicago.
Hook Tip 1: Bikers love The Cardinal because it allows bicycles to be rolled right on.
Hook Tip 2: Because the trains run infrequently, connecting is a chore, so if your desination is farther north than New York or anywhere south, the best bet becomes one of the following stations:
Richmond's Staples Mill Station (RVR)
Location: 7519 Staples Mill Road in Henrico County
Drive time: 1 hour. Go east on I-64 to Exit 185 and head West on Staples Mill Road for one mile. Don't look for a grand place-- it's a shoebox hidden off the right side of the road. But it does have nearly 20 daily departures.
Parking: $5/day
Phone: 804-553-2904
Bonus: Richmond actually has a second Amtrak station, the historic 1901 Main Street Station (RVM), with eight daily departures.
Washington's Union Station (WAS)
Location: Four blocks north of the U.S. Capitol
Drive time: 2 hours (if you're lucky)
Parking: $12/day in adjacent garage
Phone: 202-371-9441 (undependable)
HookTip: You can avoid inside-the-Beltway traffic by driving up to Vienna on I-66 and parking at the Metro station for $3.75/day (with a $10 minimum, unfortunately). From there, take the Metro's Orange Line to Metro Center and transfer to the Red Line to Union Station. If you're heading northeast, stay on the Orange Line all the way to New Carrollton, Maryland, where you can still catch most north-bound trains and save enough on the ticket to pay for lunch.
Taxis/Limos/Vans
Typical taxi ride downtown to CHO: $23
Typical taxi ride Ivy/Keswick to CHO: $33
Typical limo ride downtown to CHO: $65
Typical towncar ride to RIC: $150
Typical limo ride to RIC: $300
Typical towncar ride to IAD: $200
Typical limo ride to IAD: $300
Sample fares above do not include gratuities. Most limosines are desribed as 8-passenger vehicles but will feel crowded with more than 6. Also, limos have ordinary-sized trunks, so families or other heavy luggage users may want a van for about the same price.
Shuttles
All of the pricier hotels (and even the Days Inn) have free airport shuttles in Charlottesville.
Rental cars
Inside Charlottesville's airport terminal, we have Avis 434-973-6000, Hertz 434-297-4288, and National 434-974-4664. Enterprise also has two locations: 151 Seminole Court, 974-7488, and Pantops Shopping Center, 979-5566, plus various indie rental services elsewhere in town.
Buses
Greyhound. The station is sweetly located midway between the Amtrak station and the Downtown Mall and has 14 or 15 buses per day.
Typical trip A: $20 each way to Dulles Airport with the bus leaving Charlottesville at 9am and arriving two and a half hours later. Return from Dulles at 7pm and roll into Charlottesville at 9:30.
Typical trip B: $113 round-trip to NYC takes 9-10 hours with about five daily departure times.
National reservations: 800-229-9424
Charlottesville station: 7:30am-10pm daily; 295-5131; 295-0503
Parking: none onsite
Starlight Express. Nonstop roundtrips from Charlottesville to NYC every weekend. The luxury bus offers BMW seats, music, and treats along the way. Typical trip leaves Saturday at 6am, arrives NYC noon. Leaves NYC Sunday at 5:30pm, arrives Charlottesville at midnight. Occasional Friday night departures. $149.
Reservations: 434-295-0782
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