The Jefferson Hotel

Hotel is top notch. Rooms are clean and nice and large. Being decorated for Christmas was a plus. Staff was friendly and helpful. This was our first stop on a family trip and it didn’t disappoint. We had drinks at the bar, which was crowded, and breakfast before leaving.

The staff and workers were kind and helpful, from the valet and check-in to waitresses and waiters. The hotel was decorated beautifully. Our room was very clean and quiet. However, for two nights we ordered drinks from room service and not knowing gratuity was included, I tipped $20 each to a young woman the first night and a young gentleman the second night. The ticket they gave me showed a blank gratuity and blank total as is normally done so I wrote “0” on gratuity and the total. The 3rd night the gentleman said it was paid and added to the hotel bill and we didn’t have to sign. 4th night the gentleman said the gratuity was included and we signed it. So we double-tipped! It was the same in the Lemaire and at the bar. Inconsistency! I definitely over tipped! On another note, the “Jumbo” Crab Cake on the appetizer menu was NOT jumbo but a miniature crab cake. Our first morning we ordered breakfast from room service. It was 45 minutes late! When we called to check on it they said they lost our ticket. Again, I gave cash for gratuity.

We came to the Jefferson for Christmas and, unlike other times, were left disappointed by our stay. We realize things are especially busy around the holidays but felt that there was a lack of attentiveness that would have been warranted, especially since we were spending quite a bit for a multi-day stay in one of the more exclusive suites. The first day we asked for glasses to be brought to the room; they never came. Then, we unfortunately, became ill (no fault of the hotel, of course) and called to ask for some extra towels and new sheets to freshen up the room. Several hours passed and nobody came. Then, after another call, the housekeeping team did show up but somehow broken glass shards were left in our room, which is not ideal with little kids and a dog (unclear where this came from). All in all, we were not entirely with the stay.

The Jefferson Hotel is a Southern classic . It is a hotel rich in history and classic Southern charm . I am biased as I’m a Richmond born girl, so I grew up around this beauty . We came back to RVA to see my mother and sister. I wanted to stay in a hotel that does Christmas with a magnificent flare . They did not disappoint . The details were thoughtful from decorating the alligator ( see history of the alligator ) , the Christmas trees adorned with cardinals ( state bird) , to the grand staircase ( also look up the history ). My family loved my hotel choice vs a boring old chain hotel for the holidays . Yes it was a hike to the West End , but if you know the scenic backroads - it is well worth the drive.

We loved the Jefferson! The room was plush and comfortable, with a large and lovely marble bathroom. Very quiet which we appreciate. We ordered a cheese plate and bottle of wine from room service, and it was delivered on time and with perfect service. We dined at TJ's for lunch, and it was great. The high point of our stay was dinner at Lemaire. So great! The maids were awesome and the turn-down service was perfect. The car valet service was awesome. One negative comment: I am a tea drinker. At most hotels, you have a complementary coffee and tea situation in the room. At the Jefferson, it was only coffee. I called the concierge and asked for a teapot and tea bags. They sent a teapot but said I had to call room service to get tea bags. So I called room service and they said I would have to pay for tea bags. I called the concierge back and asked why would we get complimentary coffee in the room but not complimentary tea. They did not have a good answer for that, so they sent tea bags up to the room. I thought this was a bit unusual because when we stay at any other hotel, there is always coffee AND tea in the room. We had a chuckle about that. Overall a lovely Hotel, though. We will be back and recommend the Jefferson to all.