The Vibe
Opened in 1882, the Hotel Roanoke is a designated National Historic Landmark. The impressive Tudor-style building perched above the city center welcomes guests into 327 luxurious guestrooms. Historic touches like old city maps and murals celebrate the hotel’s past. I enjoyed finding original Czech crystal chandeliers, an old-fashioned telephone booth and hand-carved Virginia limestone used in the conference center.
Located directly adjacent to the Amtrak center and boasting spacious conference facilities make the Hotel Roanoke a popular spot for leisure travelers, conventions and locals celebrating special events. I liked the lively ebb and flow of guests in this historic space.
How I Felt
Relaxed. I loved returning from a busy day to be greeted by the courtyard fountain, cozy lobby fireplace and Southern hospitality displayed by the staff. My room was spacious enough to stretch out and everything I needed was at my fingertips.
The Digs
A recent $14 million renovation yields welcoming rooms with subtle floral wallpaper and pops of color in the lamps and easy chair. Sage green and wood accents bring in elements of nature. My King room featured an impressive city view with the mountains in the background. I enjoyed watching the sunrise and the city lights at night. Extra hooks in the bathroom, robes, single-cup filter coffee maker, a refrigerator and ample workspace with good lighting contributed to a comfortable stay.
As part of the renovation, the hotel debuted a new health and wellness floor, with rooms featuring hypoallergenic bedding, purified air systems, heated bathroom floors, white noise machines,and aromatherapy bath amenities. The centerpiece of this level is the Spa, where guests can enjoy a quick massage or full day of pampering. There is also a fitness center and seasonal outdoor pool.
The Agenda
In a five-minute walk, I was in the heart of Roanoke’s downtown, where I admired the murals and shopped for souvenirs at the Historic Roanoke City Market. I spent a few hours at Roanoke’s GO Outside Festival. Now in its 15th year, the free festival celebrates the outdoors with lumberjack and stunt bike shows, vendors, concerts, speakers and over one hundred hands-on activities.
The Hotel Roanoke is a great basecamp for outdoor adventures. Nearby Mill Mountain offers 10 miles of multi-use trails for a quick city escape. A 15-minute drive takes you to the Appalachian trail, where you can hike this iconic footpath. My weekend escape also included kayaking and e-biking, all accessible within a short drive from the hotel.
The Eats
The 1882 Lobby Bar caught my eye the moment I entered the lobby. The circular cocktail space has an original night sky mural on the ceiling from the hotel’s earlier days. Enjoy small plates or drinks overlooking the main lobby. I appreciated being able to grab an early morning Starbucks at Steam, the lower-level coffee bar. The main restaurant, The Regency Room, opened in 1939 and still holds an important place for fine dining throughout the region (breakfast, lunch and dinner). For more casual fare, The Pine Room serves pub-style meals at lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested for both restaurants.
A 10-minute stroll leads to dozens of eateries in downtown. Sidecar, with European-inspired dishes and inventive cocktails is a popular choice. For a hearty, pre-hike breakfast, I enjoyed the Vanilla French Toast at Scrambled.
Why I Would Go Back
I loved the mix of historic and modern, the expansive lobby with a fireplace and easy walking distance to downtown. The view from my room of the Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain grounded me in the property’s location in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. The staff was friendly and welcoming, making me feel relaxed and comfortable.
Kirsten Harrington
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