4 Areas Where to Stay in Richmond VA → with Prices!

Hello from Richmond, the capital city of Virginia that is located by the beautiful James River. Just to give you a small teaser, expect scenic river views, beautiful historic buildings, great museums, and an amazing food scene!

Richmond, Virginia is one of those lovely cities where you find modern city life mixed with charming historic sites. It is also known as the cultural hub of Virginia state thanks to being home of the American Civil War Museum, Virginia State Capitol, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts as well as many art galleries, music venues, and other famous attractions.

That’s not your thing? Don’t worry, I also have good news for foodies! This city has an amazing selection of restaurants and local breweries to choose from, too.

So since we now know Richmond has everything we need from a city, let’s come to the main question – where to stay in Richmond, VA. No worries my friend, I am here to help you out to find the best areas to stay in Richmond and the perfect hotel for you. I’ve already done my homework to help you, but I just want to remind you to be sure to make your reservation in advance. I can guarantee you will regret it if you leave it to the last minute!

If you are ready, shall we discover the best places to stay in Richmond, Virginia?

If you are in a hurry

Here are the best places to stay in Richmond, Virginia from luxury to budget. They all have very good reviews and great locations!

Here is the map of the 4 best areas to stay in Richmond, Virginia I will be talking about in this blog post so you can easily picture them and understand their proximity to each other:

1. City Center (Downtown Richmond) – where to stay for the first time

The Richmond Downtown area is divided into a number of smaller neighborhoods, the City Center is one of those and is where you will find the main tourist attractions, the best nightlife, and both modern and historical sides of the city. So, if you are visiting Richmond for the first time there is no better place than the City Center!

Start your day discovering the city’s popular landmarks like the American Civil War Museum, and Virginia State Capitol. Then go shopping and check out nice cafes and restaurants. At night you must take a pint at local breweries and lively bars. You see how colorful Richmond City Center is!

If you drive 10 minutes west of the city center you will find the museum district which is home to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and many more interesting cultural and historical places of interest. There are no hotels in this area so if you want to visit the museums, the city center is the best place to stay in Richmond.

In Downtown Richmond, you will find a great selection of hotels and I’ve already picked the best ones for you. In order not to miss them, do not forget to make your reservation in advance. If you are looking for another cool city with many attractions for your next trip, check out the best places to stay in Washington.

Let’s have a look at the best places to stay in Richmond at the heart of the city.

Other accommodation options in Richmond City Center, Downtown

Things to do in Richmond City Center, Downtown

• Go for a walk in the beautiful Gambles Hill Park
• Visit the historic American Civil War Museum 
• Take a pint at Triple Crossing Beer Brewhouse
• Have a meal at the Secret Sandwich Society
• Visit the historic building, Virginia State Capitol
• Catch an exhibition at the Greater Richmond Convention Center
• Take a day trip and explore the stunning Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
• Go to the museum district to visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Children’s Museum at the Broad Street

2. Shockoe Slip (Downtown) – the coolest area to stay in Richmond

Shockoe Slip is located just south of the city center and is also a part of downtown Richmond. Thanks to its cool restaurants, trendy bars, and scenic river views, this neighborhood is for sure the coolest neighborhood to stay in Richmond.

The best way to explore Shockoe Slip is simply by taking a walk along cobbled stone streets, checking out the designer shops, and having coffee in one of the charming cafes. By staying in this area you will also be able to enjoy stunning river views and still be very close to main city attractions.

I’ve already found the best places to stay in this popular area so if you don’t want to miss them, do not forget to make your reservation in advance.

Other accommodation options in Shockoe Slip

Things to do in Shockoe Slip, Downtown

• Have fresh foods at The Urban Farmhouse Market and Café
• Explore the historic Poe Museum
• Check out the beautiful views at the Pipeline Overlook
• See the Reconciliation Statue
• Have a delicious meal at the Southern Railway Taphouse
• Go for a stroll at James River Park Pipeline Walkway

3. Manchester – the best place to stay in Richmond for local experiences

Manchester is located across the Jameson River and 2 miles (4 km) south of Downtown Richmond. This area is amazing for local experiences with local breweries and restaurants being the best place to meet people. But of course, you’re still traveling so there are still enough art galleries and historic museums for you to visit.

In Manchester, you can enjoy a lovely walk by the river, check out beautiful scenery from T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, catch great exhibitions, and mingle with locals at the bars. How does that sound?

Unfortunately, there are no luxury hotels that are good enough for me to recommend in the Manchester neighborhood. So if you want to pamper yourself with a luxury hotel, I suggest checking out Quirk Hotel Richmond in the downtown Richmond area. Otherwise, here are the top 3 accommodations in this lovely area.

Other options in Manchester, Richmond

Things to do in Manchester, Richmond

• Visit the historic Richmond Railroad Museum
• Go for a stroll across the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
• See an exhibition at ​​Art Works Inc
• Catch a show at Dogtown Dance Theatre
• Take a pint at Legend Brewing
• Check out the art galleries and cafes at the Plant Zero Art Center

4. Short Pump – where to stay in Richmond on a budget

Short Pump is located 15 miles (20 km) northwest of downtown Richmond and is the best place to stay in Richmond if you are traveling on a budget. Here you will find relatively cheaper hotels as well as restaurants and cafes. But make sure to come with a little bit of a budget as this area is also great for shopping thanks to its famous shopping centers!

In Short Pump, you will find a lot of lush green parks where you can enjoy a morning stroll, then get lost in the famous shopping center West Broad Village. This open-air shopping center also has many nice restaurants and kids attractions for families. Speaking of that, I also recommend the Short Pump for families as you will find many parks with a kid playground!

Now, let’s check out the best places to stay in Richmond on a budget.

Other accommodation options in Short Pump

Things to do in Short Pump

• Have dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy
• Go shopping at West Broad Village 
• Take kids to the Short Pump Park
• Go for a walk at Twin Hickory Park

BONUS: The best places to stay in Richmond, VA for families

I have already talked about the best areas to stay in Richmond and given available family-friendly activities in each, so I am sure you already have an idea about the vibe of each neighborhood. For those who want more hotel options, here are the best hotels to stay in Richmond where you can have a comfortable stay with your families. The price ranges given here are the average range for each budget in Richmond and each of these hotels fall somewhere within the given prices.

Luxury ($250 – $400)
Embassy Suites Hilton – This hotel is located 8 miles (12 km) northwest of downtown Richmond in a peaceful area and offers free shuttle service to the city center. There is a chic swimming pool, a fully-equipped fitness center, and a fancy restaurant. This hotel has suites rooms for 4 guests which are perfect for families with a large living area, flat-screen TV with kids channel, and kitchen facilities such as microwave and coffee machine. You and your kids will love the breakfast that has tons of fresh food.

Mid-Range ($130 – $220)
Residence Inn Richmond – This hotel is located on the main road and has easy access to the city center and the airport. I love the fancy spa area of Residence Inn which has a heated indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, and fitness center. The family rooms are quite spacious and able to accommodate up to 5 guests. There is even a cozy lounge area with a fireplace perfect for chilling and playing cards games with your families.

Budget ($50 – $120)
Country Inn & Suites – Located on the main street, this hotel has a convenient location to reach historic museums, shops, and restaurants. There is a large swimming pool and playground that is perfect for kids. The family-friendly rooms are spacious and have modern facilities such as a kitchen, flat-screen TV, and a coffee machine. You can enjoy using the fully-equipped fitness center and jacuzzi and in the morning, a very good breakfast will be waiting for you!

Airbnb ($70 – $300)
Historic 2 BR – This centrally located Airbnb offers a pleasant stay experience with its upscale amenities that will give you a real home feeling. There are 2 bedrooms, one large living room that can accommodate up to 6 guests, and a fully furnished kitchen. I really love the interior design of the house and its location right in the historic part of downtown with free Wi-Fi and parking available.

Frequently asked questions about Richmond, Virginia

Conclusion

Here we came to the end of our journey in search of the best places to stay in Richmond and I hope you have already found your ideal hotel!

In order to summarize, I highly recommend staying in Richmond City Center or Shockoe Slip, Downtown if you want to be close to the historic museums such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and American Civil War Museum and the city’s trendy restaurants and bars. For those traveling on a budget, there is no better place to stay in Richmond Short Pump, a little further away from the city center.

I am sure you will have an amazing time in Richmond, Virginia but just want to remind you of the importance of making a reservation in advance. This will help you to get better deals on Richmond hotels and you won’t be worried about the possibility of missing your favorite place!

I gave you so many places to stay in Richmond but if you want me to narrow down the options, here are the best 2 hotels in Richmond, Virginia that have convenient locations as well as good reviews. I definitely recommend you to stay in one of these if you can’t decide between the awesome options in this list!

• Quirk Hotel Richmond – The best luxury hotel in downtown Richmond with modern rooms and a fancy restaurant
• Omni Richmond Hotel – A great place to stay in Richmond near the city center that has comfortable rooms and an indoor pool

If you have any other suggestions or questions about places to stay in Richmond, Virginia please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. I’ll be glad to leave a reply to them!

Enjoy your time in Richmond,

Eylul