Review: Hilton Richmond Downtown
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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.
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Arrival
Location
After landing in Washington D.C., I took 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.
Check-In and Lobby
The service at reception was courteous and efficient. The hotel is very pretty, very clean, and you can see that everything has been recently renovated. The valet staff were particularly efficient and friendly.
Room
I liked the contemporary-style decoration of the room. I had a room with a king-size bed. This room is ideal for couples and individual travellers, offering a mini-fridge, 55-inch LCD TV and Hilton Serenity Bed. The spacious bathroom is equipped with luxury bath products.
The hotel also offers connecting rooms, suites and executive rooms. Rooms for disabled guests are also available.
Restaurants
The hotel offers:
- A café, the 1885 Café Market;
- La Grotta, specializing in northern Italian dishes, with an award-winning wine list;
- and the Gather & Hem Bar in the lobby, perfect for creative cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere.
Other Services
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.
Around the Hotel
In the immediate vicinity, you’ll find a few good addresses. Still, it’s best to take the car to get to the city’s points of interest in just a few minutes, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, which are not to be missed.
A unique experience also awaits you at the Pauley Center with an authentic lounge tea at the Floris restaurant. For nature lovers, the Maymont Gardens and the 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. I recommend dinner at Lillie Pearl and Perly’s within walking distance of the hotel, perfect for breakfast with authentic Jewish cuisine.
Overall Impression
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 travellers. My favourite 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.
Featured
- Annual fee
- $150
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- $300
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