Clifton Inn

From the Hideaway Report

October 2012 Hideaway Report

Twenty miles to the southwest, the gracious Clifton Inn provides 17 accommodations housed within an 18th-century mansion, a gourmet restaurant, a horizon swimming pool and grounds punctuated by specimen maples. The main house originally belonged to Thomas Jefferson’s daughter, whose husband served as governor of Virginia. Rather than being decorated in the traditional style of Keswick Hall and The 1804 Inn, Clifton successfully mixes antiques with contemporary touches, giving the property a distinct and stylish personality.

At Clifton, many of the rooms can be snug, making it important to reserve as large an accommodation as possible. Aside from the Carriage House with its lofted bedroom, the main building’s “Virginia” and “Washington” suite categories are the most spacious. We stayed in the Blue Ridge Suite, a Virginia accommodation. In its airy living room, a small flat-screen TV sat atop the canary- yellow writing table, and a decanter of Madeira occupied one of the bamboo end tables on either side of the sofa. The modern bath came with a single vanity and large, multi-head walk-in shower.

Clifton’s staff proved to be exceedingly warm and obliging. At check-in, the receptionist seemed genuinely pleased to see us and the engaging general manager, Niall Reid, took time to chat several times during our stay, recommending winery visits and stopping by our table at dinner. The restaurant manager and our waiter also impressed us with their knowledge of the menu and enthusiasm for the food.

The Clifton Inn is a sophisticated, full-service alternative for those seeking something cozier than Keswick Hall.

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