a large building with a clock tower
1895

The Jefferson Hotel

Richmond, Virginia
a large building with columns and a large carpet
101 West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220 Original Property Opened in 1895 Historic Hotels of America member since 1989
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art
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memorabilia
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movies
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presidential

Opened on Halloween 1895, The Jefferson Hotel is the creation of Major Lewis Ginter, a Richmond businessman and philanthropist. His dream was to build one of the finest hotels in America for visitors to Central Virginia. Major Ginter found inspiration for his structure in both the Beaux-Arts and Renaissance Revival styles during his extensive travels abroad. To honor Ginter’s hero, President Thomas Jefferson, the historic hotel in Richmond Virginia was aptly named and has since hosted no less than 13 U.S. presidents. Magnificently restored and recently renovated, the hotel continues to fulfill Ginter’s vision to be known for breathtaking public spaces, luxurious accommodations, exceptional dining, flawless special events, and genuine, friendly service.

Discover

  • Discover the bronze alligator statue upon arriving in the hotel’s circle drive on historic Franklin Street. These statues commemorate the alligators that lived in the hotel’s Palm Court fountains and roamed the lobby area until 1948.
  • Since opening in 1895, The Jefferson Hotel has hosted 13 United States Presidents, including Harrison, McKinley, Wilson, Coolidge, Taft, both Roosevelts (Theodore and Franklin Delano), Truman, Reagan, both Bushes (George H.W and George W.), Clinton and Obama.
  • Descend the grand staircase to reach the ornate Rotunda lobby, with its gleaming marble floors, stained-glass skylight, and massive marble columns.

Explore

  • Visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the U.S. It is known for having the largest Fabergé collection outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris, and one of the nation’s finest collections of American Art.
  • Explore Cary Street, the main street of historic Carytown. This historic neighborhood is bustling with several unqiue boutiques and restaurants.
  • Stroll through the gardens at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, named after The Jefferson Hotel’s founder, Major Lewis Ginter. This year-round locale includes 50 acres of themed gardens, dining options, and a classical domed conservatory.

Experience

  • Take a walk to historic Altria Theater, one of the best known and most striking buildings in Richmond, which ranks among the city’s most popular stages for theatrical and musical performances.
  • Experience a second-run or repertory movie any day of the week at the 90-year old Byrd Theater, designated a Virginia Historic Landmark and U.S. National Historic Landmark. Most Saturdays, visitors can be treated to an organ concert on the theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ, which is housed in two rooms above the stage.
  • Witness a reenactment of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty, or give me death” speech at historic St. John’s Church. Formed from several more historic parishes, St. John’s is Richmond’s most historic church.

Taste

  • Sip afternoon tea at The Jefferson Hotel overlooking the majestic Rotunda lobby and iconic Grand Staircase while enjoying a variety of traditional finger sandwiches, scones with jam and Devonshire cream, pastries and tea breads, Virginia ham biscuits, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
  • Savor an iconic Richmond culinary experience at Sunday Champagne Brunch at The Jefferson Hotel. Featuring a jazz trio, ice sculptures, and an exquisite buffet of Virginia’s best seasonal ingredients, this weekly event also features The Jefferson’s famous spoonbread.
  • Celebrate happy hour at Lemaire with handcrafted cocktails and regionally inspired appetizers, including the signature crispy fried deviled eggs. The hotel’s signature restaurant is home to “The Soap Bubbles,” an oil painting by Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau, purchased in 1893, that still hangs in its original location.
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Featured Offers

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Best Available Rate

Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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Romance Package

Celebrate your special someone with this romantic getaway including sparkling wine upon arrival, room service full American breakfast for two, breakfast gratuities, a seasonal fresh floral arrangement and parking.

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Special Occasions

Meetings & Groups

The Jefferson Hotel features nineteen meeting rooms & venues in Richmond Virginia with over 26,000-square-feet of space. Original to the hotel are The Grand Ballroom, with its gold-detailed ceiling and elaborate crystal chandeliers; The Empire Ballroom, with 30-foot windows and lavish draperies; The Flemish Room, with its high ceilings and abundance of natural light; and The Rotunda, with its opulent ornamentation and monumental faux-marble columns.

Learn More
Special Occasions

Weddings

In 1895, the first guests to ascend the now legendary Grand Staircase of the Jefferson Hotel were the engagement party guests of the nationally known beauty Irene Langhorne and the artist Charles Dana Gibson. In the ensuing century, hundreds upon hundreds of happy couples have paused on these 36 carpeted marble stairs to receive the admiration of their families and wedding guests.

Learn More
Special Occasions

Meetings & Groups

The Jefferson Hotel features nineteen meeting rooms & venues in Richmond Virginia with over 26,000-square-feet of space. Original to the hotel are The Grand Ballroom, with its gold-detailed ceiling and elaborate crystal chandeliers; The Empire Ballroom, with 30-foot windows and lavish draperies; The Flemish Room, with its high ceilings and abundance of natural light; and The Rotunda, with its opulent ornamentation and monumental faux-marble columns.

Learn More
Special Occasions

Weddings

In 1895, the first guests to ascend the now legendary Grand Staircase of the Jefferson Hotel were the engagement party guests of the nationally known beauty Irene Langhorne and the artist Charles Dana Gibson. In the ensuing century, hundreds upon hundreds of happy couples have paused on these 36 carpeted marble stairs to receive the admiration of their families and wedding guests.

Learn More
a large room with tables and chairs
a large room with columns and a chandelier
a large room with tables and chairs
a large room with columns and a chandelier