Culture, Connection, and Academia Intersect at This New Charlottesville Hotel Opening in Spring 2026

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel & Conference Center is located at the University of Virginia

 

Charlottesville, Va., February 10, 2026 – Opening April 2026, Virginia Guesthouse Hotel & Conference Center will debut as a dynamic new hospitality and gathering destination on the University of Virginia’s (UVA) Grounds. This new property is poised at the crossroads of academic life, cultural exchange, and the natural beauty of Charlottesville, creating a setting that will spark conversation, foster connection, and bring people together.

 

With 214 thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites, three inspired food and drink experiences, and more than 25,000 square feet of versatile meeting and event space, Virginia Guesthouse will welcome a diverse mix of guests from leisure travelers and conference-goers to UVA visitors, alumni, and the local community. More than a hotel, it will serve as a vibrant hub for connection, discovery, and celebration, where comfort meets flexibility and every space invites guests to gather, engage, and experience the spirit of Charlottesville.

 

“At its heart, Virginia Guesthouse will be about welcoming people,” said Gregg Hilker, general manager of Virginia Guesthouse Hotel & Conference Center. “Whether you’re here for a conference, a university visit, or a weekend exploring Charlottesville, our mission will be to provide the ease, warmth, and familiarity of home paired with thoughtful service and inviting spaces to make lasting connections.”

 

FOR LEISURE TRAVELERS: A HOME BASE TO DISCOVER CHARLOTTESVILLE

For travelers exploring Charlottesville and Central Virginia, Virginia Guesthouse will serve as a refined yet relaxed home base. Just minutes from the region’s award-winning wineries, outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, and the city’s historic Downtown Mall, the hotel also offers a unique window into one of the destination’s most defining experiences: university life. Guests can stroll the historic Grounds at the University of Virginia, a UNESCO World Heritage-designation, sit in on a lecture or public event, or simply enjoy the lively collegiate atmosphere that helps shape local culture.

 

Virginia Guesthouse’s dining options will offer a variety of ways for guests to fuel up and recharge throughout their stay. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Poplar, will open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Menu features are rooted in regional cuisine highlighted by seasonal ingredients, and also offer a wide selection of curated beverages, wines, craft beers, and classic cocktails to satisfy all tastes.

 

For quick bites and energizing drinks, The Counter Café will be a convenient stop. Guests can swing by to grab fair-trade coffee, fresh pastries, and locally inspired snacks ideal for a morning pick-me-up or a casual mid-day pause. 

 

The Perch, the hotel’s idyllic rooftop bar, will become the ultimate destination for taking in sweeping scenes of the University and surrounding areas. With soft seating and cozy fire pits, it will be a place to linger over signature handcrafted cocktails, local beers, and shareable light fare in a relaxed and elevated atmosphere, making it the perfect choice for conversation and to catch a memorable sunset.

 

FOR MEETING AND EVENT PLANNERS: WHERE IDEAS COME TOGETHER

IACC-certified and designed to foster connection and innovation, Virginia Guesthouse will offer more than 25,000 square feet of versatile meeting and event space. From a grand ballroom accommodating nearly 1,000 guests to an intimate top-floor suite, planners will have flexibility in how their groups gather, share information, and inspire each other. 

 

The hotel’s location at the University of Virginia – an epicenter of academic achievement and thought leadership – will help establish Virginia Guesthouse as Charlottesville’s top destination for meetings, conferences, and special events. With state-of-the-art audiovisual and event technology, abundant natural light, full-service onsite catering tailored for any occasion, and an attached public parking garage for easy access, the property will be coveted for corporate retreats, association gatherings, and social celebrations like weddings and milestone celebrations. 

 

FOR CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE ‘HOOS, ALUMNI AND THEIR FAMILIES: A TRUE HOME AWAY FROM HOME

 

Virginia Guesthouse is perfectly positioned on the University of Virginia’s Ivy Corridor gateway and just steps from UVA’s iconic Lawn, School of Data Science and Karsh Institute of Democracy. University students and their families, returning alumni, Cavalier sports fans, and prospective students touring Grounds will find a welcoming, convenient place to stay in close proximity to key university amenities, including John Paul Jones Arena, Palmer Park and Scott Stadium.

 

The hotel also will serve as a preferred entry point for potential future students, taking form as a physical Welcome Center on the ground floor near The Counter Café. A launch point for university tours and select university events, the Welcome Center will enhance the guest arrival experience with expert staff resources and provide a priority gateway to the University.

 

FOR THE UVA COMMUNITY: A CENTRAL PLACE TO GATHER AND COLLABORATE

Built to be a central gathering place for UVA meetings, academic gatherings, and cross-collaboration, Virginia Guesthouse will become a destination for faculty, staff, and student groups to collaborate. Well-suited for both formal and informal gatherings, Virginia Guesthouse will be a place where ideas flourish, partnerships strengthen, and the UVA community comes together to learn, engage, and celebrate. From department retreats, faculty seminars, and academic workshops to student organization meetings, mentoring sessions, and university celebration events, the hotel will support the full spectrum of UVA’s vibrant community life.

 

FOR THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY: DINING, PROGRAMMING & SHARED MOMENTS

Virginia Guesthouse’s distinctive dining, social experiences, and locally-curated programming will invite not only travelers but also Charlottesville neighbors to visit the hotel. Locals can enjoy an engaging evening at The Perch, meet friends or colleagues over a meal at Poplar, or extend a UVA gameday into a full weekend staycation.

 

The hotel will also be a premier venue for community weddings, social gatherings, and where local organizations may host meetings, making Virginia Guesthouse a dynamic destination where both guests and the Charlottesville community mingle to dine, celebrate, and connect.

 

“With Virginia Guesthouse, we’re ushering in a new chapter for Charlottesville hospitality,” said Russ Cronberg, director of hospitality at the University of Virginia Foundation. “Located in the city’s heart, this is where visitors and locals connect to find common ground. From intimate gatherings over a meal at Poplar to international conferences in our event spaces to conversations on The Perch rooftop, every experience is designed to spark connections and advance exploration. We’re creating a welcoming home for local residents, hotel guests, and conference attendees to all play a role in this shared community.”

 

Nightly guest room rates will start from $220. 

 

ABOUT VIRGINIA GUESTHOUSE

Virginia Guesthouse is a welcoming hotel and conference center located at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, and opening in April 2026. The property features 214 guest rooms, 25,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and distinctive dining experiences including Poplar, a full-service restaurant with indoor and outdoor terrace dining; The Perch, a rooftop bar and café offering panoramic views and signature handcrafted cocktails with contemporary flair; and a convenient grab-and-go eatery. Owned by the UVA Foundation, Virginia Guesthouse serves as a premier destination for academic gatherings, conferences, and celebrations within this historic university setting.