On a press trip to Virginia last August, I spent two nights in Richmond, the state capital. I stayed at the Hilton Richmond Downtown, a chic and historic downtown hotel that has recently been renovated.

After landing in Washington D.C., I made the two-hour drive to Richmond. Richmond is also a two-hour drive from Virginia Beach.

The Hilton Richmond Downtown is located in the heart of Richmond’s central district, just a four-minute walk from the Greater Richmond Convention Centre. Its location at 5th and East Broad Streets makes it a great base for exploring downtown, with the Virginia State Capitol just a ten-minute walk away.

The service at reception was courteous and efficient. The hotel is very lovely, very clean, and you can see that everything has been recently renovated. The valet staff were particularly efficient and friendly.

I liked the contemporary-style decoration of the room. I had a room with a king-size bed. This room is ideal for couples or individual travellers, offering a mini-fridge, 55-inch LCD TV and a Hilton Serenity Bed. The spacious bathroom is equipped with luxury toiletries.

The hotel offers connecting rooms, suites and executive rooms. Rooms for disabled guests are also available.

The Hilton Richmond Downtown features an indoor courtyard connected to an indoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center.

Although self-parking was not available, valet parking, though expensive at $41, was convenient with unlimited coming and going privileges.

The hotel also accepts pets at an additional cost.

For business travellers, the hotel offers modern meeting rooms and a well-equipped business centre.

In the immediate vicinity, you’ll find a few good spots. However, it’s best to drive just a few minutes to get to the city’s main attractions, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Museum of History Culture, which you don’t want to miss.

A unique experience also awaits you at the Pauley Center with an authentic tea lounge at the Floris restaurant. For nature lovers, the Maymont Gardens and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offer magnificent and varied landscapes.

As you explore Richmond, don’t miss Carytown, a charming neighbourhood filled with boutiques and casual restaurants. Within walking distance of the hotel, I recommend dinner at Lillie Pearl and Perly’s, perfect for breakfast serving authentic Jewish cuisine.

My stay at the Hilton Richmond Downtown was most enjoyable. The warm atmosphere and modern comforts combined with the historic charm of the place make it a good choice for both business and leisure travelers. My favorite was the Gather & Hem Bar, with its chic atmosphere. The martinis were delicious. I’d recommend this hotel, even if the surrounding streets were fairly quiet when we visited, but if you walk a little further, you’ll find some nice places to visit.