Very cool little Inn. Bar is open all day long, and they serve breakfast and dinner all year, and the food is good. I stayed in one of the cottage rooms, and it was lovely. read more

This is a really beautiful restaurant with very average upscale American food. The head chef has a Michelin star so we expected a little more punch to our meals but oh well. Overall, 3/5 for an average experience. This would be a good place to go for an anniversary, to bring a family member you haven't seen in awhile or someone you want to impress. It is a gorgeous property and the interior is beautiful as well. Probably wouldn't be my pick to take any of my foodie friends considering there is better tasting American food in town. There is parking inside and the walk to the building is confusing. There's not really clear signage to indicate where the restaurant is on the premises. Luckily the estate is gorgeous so we didn't mind wandering around a bit before dinner. The host was nice, the servers all seemed young and untrained. The biggest issue we had all night was the lack of good service. Our server was very absent for most of the meal and every single course had a missing utensil. For bread service, she did not check in and we sat and waited until the bread got cold before we could flag her down for appetizer plates. Oh well. For the rest of the dinner we had similar issues. We ordered off of the restaurant week menu and tried nearly every item - all of them were just average. To start, 3 of us had the saffron soup with mussels and toast, one person had the bbq pork belly and one had the prosciutto cantaloupe salad. Personally I thought the salad was excellent - the prosciutto was good and the goat cheese fruit arugula combination was great. I had the mussels soup and toast. The lack of service was an issue here. Our server was nowhere to be found after the food was run out, and so 3 out of 5 of us sat at the table without spoons for the soup waiting for her to show up. By the time she did (after passing the table 3-4 times) the soup was already cold :/ it might've been better warm. It was yogurt and potato with PEI mussels. Pretty good. I liked it it was a 4/5. My friend who had the pork belly said it was average. The second course came out and this was a big hit or miss. The kunz short rib (named after the late chef, Gray Kunz, who was renowned for his short rib with pickled mango and mustard sauce) was a total miss. The rib itself was so dry and almost sharp when it shredded. The texture was just not good. The other person at the table who ordered the dish felt like the meat was way too bland and i felt mine was too salty. It seemed like they were inconsistently prepared. The short rib was a 1-2/5. My spinach was also way too salty. Not what you'd expect for a place like this. The halibut seemed well done. My friend did comment on the amount of "fluff" on the plate (garnishes, dressings, etc) but he prefers simple food always. Overall he's not really interested in fish most of the time and he loved it. So this dish was likely a 5/5. The pork shoulder fell in the middle. I tried some and the celery greens, red onion and apricot combination was great. The meat itself suffered some of the same fate the short rib did - it didn't taste entirely fresh. It almost felt like it had been sitting out for awhile or something. It was significantly more juicy and tender than the short rib was. Overall, I'd give it a 3-4/5 No one ordered the ratatouille, so that was the only thing on the menu we did not try. For dessert, our table ordered all three options - a chocolate soufflé (i think?) covered in blueberries, rum baba with crushed pistachio and a peach galette. The chocolate soufflé (again I don't know what this was) apparently was amazing. The two who ordered it went silent until the bowl was empty. 5/5. One of our friends and I each had the rum baba. This was spectacular. Really well done 5/5. The peach galette was the only slacker, the pastry dough itself was very bland and almost tasted a little doughey like it hadn't cooked enough. The filling left much to be desired 2/5. Overall though, dessert was the highlight. The two that were good were AMAZING. Of course, our server again forgot spoons for the soufflé things and so that was just another reminder that we'd probably not do this again. Overall, for how dinner went in terms of the food and service I'm not sure we would do this again. If the food was better i would consider coming back, but frankly, i think there are better places to eat for this price point with better service. Again, not the worst place I've ate at in town but it's not even in the running for the best. read more

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1779 Restaurant Our group of 20 family and friends enjoyed an afternoon here, celebrating a 94th birthday! This historic venue sits on lovely, manucured grounds in the foothills of Charlottesville. Its a great place for a wedding, reception or celebration of any kind All Day Menu, although small, offers a nice variery to choose from. I had the Smoked Salmon Flatbread ($18) and my companion ordered the Beef Burger ($19). Both dishes were very good and gourmet in their own little way, justifying the pricey ask. The service was iimpecable. Orders taken, reasonable wait time, and delivered all at once. Excellent choice for our gathering. read more

The Clifton - Beef Burger - Hotels Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Hidden gem in Charlottesville! First time here and really enjoyed the property and our meal. We were not aware that the executive chef has won a Michelin star with his previous restaurant in CA. The food was amazing! New favorite and will be coming back soon! read more

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Staff not friendly or engaging with customers. Service in restaurant was poor. Food okay but not at Michelin star level Excessive noise from kitchen interferes with breakfast and sleeping in the rooms . The inn needs a thorough cleaning and overall upkeep read more

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My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here and it was a hidden gem! The staff was amazing and it offered all the quaint boutique fittings of an amazing bed and breakfast. My wife left her laptop in the room and they were even nice enough to mail it to us. I would recommend The Clifton to anyone looking for a nice get away. They even have a fire pit for the cold nights if guests want to partake. read more

Food ranged from average to ptetty good. Beef bourguignon was pretty good. Marrow and snails pretty good, pasta with pesto was odd and barely average. read more

Delayed review, but I stayed here for a mini-moon last year and absolutely loved it! We stayed in The Farmhouse which was adorable and a short walk to the main lodging and restaurant. We did the loyalty package which included dinner and breakfast- both were amazing!! The service at the time was just ramping up from covid so it was a little slow, but still great. Definitely look forward to a return stay! read more

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This review is for the 1799 restaurant, I can't gush enough about how amazing it was! We came here for a late Valentine's Dinner (2/15), which my fiance had explained the circumstance on the reservation. The staff decorated our table with rose petals and allowed us to use their pre-set Valentines' dinner menu. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. The chef gave us curry madeleines to try on the house. The foot itself was fantastic as well!! I didn't have a single bad bite of food. I will definitely be returning here for more anniversaries and date nights!! read more

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Impeccable. That's the only word that describes our experience at The Clifton Inn. I don't want to leave but I have to. It's checkout time. I grew up in Charleston, SC, and lived in a carriage house at 69 1/2 Rutledge Avenue. It was close to colonial lake and was just a fabulous place to live. I moved because the owner sold the house and the new owners wanted to maximize the rent. Anyway, back to The Clifton Inn. My husband and I decided this would be the year of Virginia, meaning we would get out and explore our awesome state. I booked The Clifton Inn after stalking their website. Michelin-starred chef, beautiful historic setting...I'm in. We had the honeymoon cottage...we've been married for 21 years so not a honeymoon but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. My husband had to make me get out of bed on our last day to check out by 11. Ahhhh, I love this place. Food...we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner here and everything was phenomenal. The oysters with the jalapeño minionette were stunning. We ate 4-5 servings of the oysters. The burger I had for lunch was THE BEST BURGER I HAVE EVER HAD. I'm 50+ years old so that's saying something. John was a fabulous bartender and our server for breakfast and lunch was awesome. Wish I could remember her name. Becky at dinner the first night was super. Staff was exceptional, food was out of this world and the accommodations were phenomenal. I will most definitely be back. Love the Clifton. read more

The Clifton - My home for the weekend. - Hotels Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

This review is for the 1799 restaurant. Beautiful setting and ambiance. Good service. Great Negroni Spritz cocktail. Interesting high end menu. Nice array of bread selection. The food was of high quality and well made with a pretty presentation. The flavors were tasty, although a little on the richer and saltier side. read more

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Recently came here and had dinner down in the wine cellar. It was great to have an intimate dinner with friends to celebrate. Service was on point. They even let us stay a little later than we should bc the place was empty by time we left. The butternut squash soup was AMAZING! I could eat that all night. The NY steak a little over powered with peppercorn but the onion ring and mash potatoes were on point. Topped it off with the choc cake was was delicious. Really enjoyed the espresso martini and I could have been chugging all night. It's hard to find a place that does a good espresso martini and this place does it right. Def want to come back and try more items on the menu read more

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The grandparents offered to watch the kids for the night and so Hubby and I booked an overnight getaway here to celebrate my birthday! They had a weekday special which we were eligible to use on a Sunday evening. The grounds are sprawling and gorgeous, though we spent most of our time at their lovely pool. It felt a bit Grecian with columned cabanas and low chaises. Tons of foliage surround the infinity pool with a small, separate hot tub. We ordered drinks to bring to the pool, but the cocktail was underwhelming - I'd recommend the boozy topo chico. We stayed in the Merriwether, which was adorable. Dinner and breakfast were delicious, with lovely views. I'd absolutely go back to the Clifton for another staycation! read more

This is probably one of the prettiest wedding venues I have been to. The house is historic and chic. The rooms were very spacious and clean. The ceremony was in the front of the house and the moubtain views were gorgeous. Cocktail hour was on the back porch and yard, which was spacious and beautifully decorated with string lights. The reception was in the tent. The tent was massive and had a giant dance floor which was a huge plus. The staff was so attentive. I'm sure this place was super pricey for a wedding, which would be the only downfall. It was definitely great to enjoy as a wedding guest! read more

The Clifton - Inside bar - Hotels Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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What an amazing night we had celebrating my God-daughter's engagement! Eric shared the history of the Inn, as we enjoyed the delicious menu and the beautiful room, imagining the stories of the past that have traveled through the inn. The food and service was beyond my expectations. I've traveled a lot and didn't expect much from this local hide away. I was dead wrong. The Clifton has a Michelin Star and Eric McNeese brings the extra element with customer interaction. I had the Rock Fish, my friend had the NY strip, I had the butternut squash soup as an appetizer, and the French cake with poached pears as desert. The bread they put on the table was something to be experienced by itself. Someone here is doing pastries, very well. We will be back. read more

What a beautiful property and stay. Lovely bar area and restaurant. Was there for a family wedding weekend. It was amazing to stay onsite and celebrate. The intimate bar area and accommodating the pre-wedding day large party across a very long table was amazing and beautiful. read more

About a 1-1.5: Yikes! Our experience at The Clifton wasn't a great one. While we did not stay at the inn, we did come here to celebrate a special occasion by having dinner here. Reservations were made in advance, but the timing seemed off, as we waited past our reservation time to be seated. We finally were seated, which felt like close to 45 minutes, in the 1799 dining room. We ordered from their 3-course pre-fixe menu: the Escargot & Bone Marrow (with lemon, pernod, and country toast; this was way too greasy and had an off-putting smell); the Fermented Butternut Squash Soup (with brussels sprouts, pear cider milk punch, sage butter, and almond crumble; this soup was creamy and was flavorful, but it was served cold); the Pear & Arugula Salad (with Bosc pears, arugula, Point Reyes bleu cheese, candied pecans, and saba; this was a great salad with tasty bits of bleu cheese and the pecans; a typical salad that I really enjoy!); the House Dry-Aged NY Strip (with fermented mushroom and walnut granola, Yorkshire pudding, radish, roasted carrots, mushrooms, and a red wine gastrique; this was actually returned 2 times as the temperature of the steak was not met and was not cooked (overcooked on the exterior while inside was all raw)); the Braised Lamb Shank (with toasted oat crepe, mint, frisee, green peppercorn and cranberry biscotto, and coffeed parsnip and mousse; the lamb was gamey, but it was also extremely tough, considering it was braised; I know that another party seated next to us sent this dish back); the Spanish Cheesecake & Red Wine Poached Pears (with bay leaf zabaglione, port wine puree, and orange cookie crumbs); and, the Meyer Lemon Tart (with caramelized sugar, blood orange, and whipped cream). Our server was friendly, but she would disappear for long periods at a time; I think she was newer, but it was difficult to touch base with her throughout the evening. When we left, the hostess/manager apologized profusely, but, it is what it is, you know? Restrooms could have been kept well as there were toilet paper strewn all over the floor, the trash bin was overflowing, and there was a lack of paper towels to wipe. The waiting area is comfortable, but some are facing the concierge desk, so it can get a little awkward? There's parking in the gravel lot, but you'll have to walk to the main building; if you're having dinner, the area is not well lit, so just make sure you have some type of a flashlight on! +avoid the pre-fixe menus! +inconsistent service +small store/boutique by the entry area +gravel lot away from main building +parking area not well-lit read more

I'm super bummed to leave this review. As a business owner myself, I think it genuinely matters how you make people feel even before they pay you any money. My mother reached out multiple times to the Clifton sales team attempting to plan my bridal shower for this spring, which would've presumably been several thousand dollars paid to the hotel (suites, private dining space, food, drinks, etc.). Unfortunately, after a few back and forth emails, their team simply stopped responding. Based on the correspondence we did have, it seems like they were waiting it out to see if a wedding or other larger, more expensive event would be booked instead for the date we wanted. (And yes, this is after we were told the date was free.) We were told the hotel is meant for "weddings," rather than small events (which--hate to break it to them--likely won't get booked 5 months before an extravagant wedding), making us feel like revenue was the priority over great customer service. As repeat visitors of the hotel, we've had a couple rude, unpleasant experiences with their staff, but we tried to give them the benefit of the doubt because the hotel is gorgeous! This time though, I'm disappointed enough to just never go back again, or recommend it to others. Ultimately, this is probably a business that needs a refresher on solid customer service and professional communication. read more

Our dinner was amazing! Our server Caroline was wonderful and explained all the wonderful food options. I tired one of the drinks with a bubble on top. Corey did a great job showing us this delicious drink. Paty came to our table to make sure everything was tasting great and our experience was everything we hoped for. This place went above and beyond for their guests and the food was amazing. Highly recommend if you are in the area. read more

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Not good - stay away. Food expensive - limited selection, bland. Over priced is an understatement. Service mediocre. Far better options in Charlottesville for half the price. read more

My wife and I like to break up the drive between northern NJ and the Carolinas, both going and returning, when we travel south for a beach vacation and/or to visit with the extended family. We have stayed at over a half dozen small luxury Inns in Virginia over the past 15-20 years. For this latest trip we had made a room and dinner reservation at The Clifton far in advance of our post-Christmas drive north from Chapel Hill, NC. I am very pleased to say that both my wife and I were most impressed and pleased with what we discovered here and had a most enjoyable short visit. Even in late December, walking around the grounds of the property was most impressive. We spent one night at The Clifton, staying in the sumptuous Martha Jefferson Room in the Manor House. We especially appreciated the Nespresso machine in our room for our early morning coffee, as well as the large and well-appointed bathroom. We were impressed with the selection of creative cocktails and intelligent conversation with their bartender at their intimate Copper Bar before having a most delicious and excellently prepared and presented dinner at their 1799 restaurant. The next morning, we had a very satisfying and filling breakfast on their enclosed veranda, before embarking on the second half of our drive back north to our home. Everyone we encountered at The Clifton was most gracious, helpful, and accommodating. For those who want a special overnight stay at a historic home that has been transformed into a romantic and peaceful Inn with an excellent dining restaurant, we can and do highly recommend The Clifton. read more

As true believers in the importance of first impressions and interactions, we enthusiastically give Clifton the highest possible grade A. And that "A" started with Ann, lead concierge, who from first email contact through to departure after four fabulous days was/is the embodiment of hospitality, professionalism, cheerfulness and assistance. Ann - and the entire Clifton team - exemplified the "guest comes first and foremost" in both words and deeds. We stayed in the Livery - Shadwell suite - which was as clean and comfortable as one would desire....especially after a full day of exploring the area's multiple attractions. Our dinner on eve of departure was enjoyed on the Library - first class ambience and cuisine. My wife rated her salmon entree A+ as I did the pork tenderloin. Our server Rebecca went above and beyond to make the dinner a special one. And then there were the crackers. The Clifton chef has a recipe for one of the most taste-full crackers you will ever receive. Totally different from anything we have ever cracked into. No kidding! All successful hotels start with the staff, and we have to give major kudos to the two Michaels, Chris, captain of a great bar area, Eric, Charlie, Emily, Meghan (sp.) and all the rest. We were so pleased with the visit that we have booked a return for later in 2021. Thanks again, "A+" Ann and team! read more

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Hhhmmm, I was going to leave a gushing, superfluous review of my entire experience here for both lodging and dining but being charged $20 for a plain hamburger patty for my regal / royal pooch is not leaving a good taste in my mouth. I have never ever paid that much - not even at the Hay Adams across from the White House. Not even at five star establishments in NYC. Not anywhere ever. It is beyond out of line. I mentioned this upon check out and the lovely girl did not have the authority to fix the price and said she'd pass it along to the manager. More than a week after checking out, there hasn't been any communication or credit appearing on my charge card. read more

Took a mini vacay here with some friends and we all had a delightful time. Rooms were beautiful and well appointed, staff extra helpful and friendly, food delicious and the atmosphere and grounds a lovely retreat. Note: on Sundays a local club has use of swimming pool so we were not expecting the enormous crowd. Alas Monday we had it to ourselves. :) read more

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Setting and property is beautiful. Food and service is very disappointing given the price point. 2 adults and 2 teenagers was $350. It took forever to get drinks, items were served at wrong times, wrong table and had no idea to what person. Food was average other than the burger. Will not return. read more

Went for restaurant week where they had 3 courses for $39. Setting and atmosphere was upscale and waiter's had impeccable manners. We were made to feel like royalty. I would highly recommend getting their NY steak which was done to perfection with the tastiest crust I've ever had. Happy hour from Mon-Thur 5-7pm where it's $6 for your usual spirits and $10 for cocktails. Unique cocktails which I'd recommend trying out. Would definitely go back. read more

The Clifton - Grilled trout - Hotels Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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This renovated historic inn is oozing in southern charm, hospitality and beauty. Thanks to an assist from the concierge, we stayed in the honeymoon cottage for our one-year wedding anniversary, and it was just about the most luxurious and romantic place we've ever stayed. The fact that it belonged to Thomas Jefferson's daughter and her husband was very cool. Service is friendly and accommodating. It was too cold and rainy to use the pool or enjoy the trails, but it all looked beautiful. The setting of the restaurant is classy, especially the library. If I had one minor complaint, it was with the restaurant. The menu was pricey, portions were small and the food, although good, was not extraordinary as you might expect from a Michelin-starred chef. The free continental breakfast, however, was delicious! read more

The Clifton - The Clifton - Hotels Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Come here to stay not to eat. The food was not good, at all. We got the cacio e pepe and it was in a bed of liquid. Pretty much soup.. The pasta itself was good & tasted homemade but what was supposed to be the sauce, ended up as a salty broth. Not sure if too much pasta water got in the sauce or what. It was bad... The bartender was great, just get drinks. No food!!! The grounds, the room, are all beautiful. Pretty much everything the investors who bought the place did is good, they know what they're doing. The chef does not. If you stay here please eat elsewhere - your money is better spent wherever you go. read more

Located just outside beautiful Charlottesville, the Clifton Inn in is a hotel amongst hotels. Designed like a cozy home, the hotel is luxurious in every aspect. I flew in from Europe where I am based to Charlottesville for a week and the Clifton was everything I had hoped for (and more). For starters, the atmosphere (as indicated by the calm decor and welcoming staff) is one that is built to complement my experience. We stayed in one of the suites on the second floor of the main house and it was nothing short of gorgeous. I had been tired and fighting a cold when I first arrived- I found the hotel (and Charlottesville in general) to be the perfect antidote to my tiredness and the busy world I came from. Clifton has tea time every day- something akin to what the Dorchester serves- we enjoyed their teas and baked goods every day It is difficult to truly relax and unwind in today's world. It is filled with distractions and obligations. We found the Clifton to challenge that notion- with its picturesque surroundings, delicious dinner offerings and welcoming staff. Whether you're looking for a retreat away from the city, a staycation or a place to have dinner, the Clifton ought to be your choice in Charlottesville. It is simply unparalleled and comparable to a cottage in the South of France than other hotels in the area. read more

The Clifton - Outdoor dining area - Hotels Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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We stayed at the newly refurbished Clifton Inn last night. Who knew that it had just reopened a week or so earlier!!!The setting is beautiful, the renovations are lovely, the bartender Stephanie makes delicious concoctions, Kelly and the rest of the staff are warm and friendly. Did I mention the food? Delicious! We stayed in the Blue Ridge Suite (charming) with our 2 dogs-just one more reason that we will plan on going back again! read more

My sister who is local to Charlottesville took me to the Chef's Counter for the tasting menu when I visited from SF. Honestly, it was absolutely memorable in every way. The new Exec Chef, Yannick, Sous Chef David and chef Steven made the whole "dining in the kitchen" experience comfortable and special. The food was complex yet straight forward the freshest of local farm ingredients yet rich in flavor and diversity. The 10 course with wine pairing 3 hour dinner was one of the loveliest I have had and made for great finish to our weekend. I highly recommend this unique foodie experience. You won't regret it. read more

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Our first time at The Clifton was a great experience. One highlight was the drinks at the bar. Sam was behind the bar and made some great drinks and terrific recommendations for dinner choices. read more

This is a borderline 4 but food and scenery were enough to overcome little slips in service and one minor issue with dessert. Most diners are either staying in inn or from area as waiter was a little shocked that we were from out town and not staying there. We went tasting menu though can do a la carte. Food was seasonal and all good though other than maybe cucumber plum soup did not blow me away. Oddly dessert was half good as my toffee cake was that while other one puffed out nicely. Wine list was varied and had options in the 40d that were decent and wines that I knew retail price of dud not get large markup. Issue with service was waiter did not know what was in a couple of the dishes. They do change daily bit should know. Not sure if worth trip just to eat here but solid option that will not disappoint. read more

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We were excited to stay here as it looked beautiful online, but upon arriving it was underwhelming. The room was small (and could use a fresh coat of paint)- almost no counter space in the bathroom sink, for example. What immediately hit us, though, was the smell. Strong insecticide spray. There was a letter on the counter that apologized for this saying that 'stink bugs' were out of control and they sprayed both inside and outside to try to control them. They then tried to reassure that they could not bite or sting in case they came in the room. We immediately wanted to open the windows but there were no screens! There were many other bugs waiting to come in. Way too bad. Continental food was included but not buffet style. Instead they give you a plate of food consisting of yogurt parfait (very mediocre) and 3 tiny pastries exactly the same all 3 mornings. If you want eggs or oatmeal, they charge $12 - $15. The waitresses were great but the management (particularly the G.M.) was not very friendly at all and lacked any trace of Southern hospitality. But what really infuriated me was that after our last breakfast my husband asked me to check over our room bill with the woman at the front desk to see if we owe anything. There was no one there except myself, my husband, and the woman at the computer. I was standing right in front of her and just about open my mouth and tell her we needed to check out. She completely ignored me and looked over and past me (ignoring me completely) and engaged with my husband instead, who had already sat down at a chair in the waiting area. I'm an Asian and my husband is a Caucasian. She started asking him where we're headed today, etc. Wow! I stood there for a minute, flabbergasted and fuming, and told my husband, who was responding to her questions without realizing what had just happened, that I'd wait outside, and then I walked out. I don't have superpowers like being invisible, so for her to blatantly ignore me -- someone who is right in front of her -- and turn her head to talk to my husband instead is beyond rude and so wrong. Nope, I'll never stay here again and I DO NOT recommend it to others!! read more

I had the most amazing memories of this inn and restaurant, my first time was 1997 and always dream to go back,. Back them was a very simple Inn with the most amazing service , I will never forgot the cookies they gave me at the end. Years has past and it looks amazing , the decorations has being updated, I always wanted to come back and stay . Finally I was able to come back but my expectations were to high , I was unable to stay overnight because it was full .. Charlottesville is an are where you will never find short of wonderful inns. So finally tonight was the night. I am writing as I am on my way back to my wonderful inn and disappointment it's a understatement. Services is sooo poor., during the entire evening my wonderful husband and poring my glass with a delicious champagne. My husband was soo lucky on his choosing, actually wanted the wonderful age steak but decided on the recommendation of our waiter and went with a fish so plain that has no flavor. My husband had some of it and told me to share his plate. I also ordered a salad requested no blue cheese but still come with it . Dessert ok. If it's your first time maybe you will enjoy for me not going back read more

Food a big disappointment, atmosphere great! We went to celebrate my daughter's Birthday. We ordered the Prix Fixe menu and it was unremarkable at best! The arugula salad had just a tiny bit of cheese and a few candied nuts. The trout had a strange flavor inside and had a blue cast to it. The lemon tart had only a vague lemon flavor!!! For our first meal out in a very long time and so very pricey, this was totally disappointing! I would not recommend to anyone!!!! read more

We had an amazing weekend at the Clifton Inn. The staff was so kind, warm and welcoming from looking for a cocktail that no longer existed on the menu to being there bright eyed from morning to late evenings. The property is so beautiful green and lush. The welcome dinner, breakfast and wedding menu were thoughtfully prepared and delicious. We loved it and look forward to going back. The central location made it easy to get to and other sights, golf and wineries. read more

First, let's be clear that despite the $30/day resort fee (not enumerated while reserving online), The Clifton isn't really a resort. It is an eclectic little hotel housed in an old house and several dispersed cabins/cottages. Small pool and hot tub are available and there are hiking trails that will take you around the small lake. We were all glad we didn't reserve more time there. Food is beautifully presented, but the Prix Fixe menu offers choices of varying quality. Scottish Salmon rated a 10. Prosciutto wrapped Trout rated a 4. Our medium-sized party came away with very varied opinions of the food, but full agreement on the fact that it took FOREVER to get the full meal served. Bathrooms look brand-new, even though including old clawfoot tubs. No closets, just armoires that won't hang that cute long casual dress you brought for dinner. Very comfortable beds and lovely linens. Staff is friendly, but there are no bell-persons available to climb the stairs with your luggage. A mid-day call the the front desk went to voicemail after many rings. read more

Breakfast was lovely as are the gardens but the service and accommodations were lackluster. The garden room smelled so much of chemicals and mildew we asked to move to another room without even putting down a bag. A letter in the room talked about bug control issues. The room overlooking the lake had a sagging mattress and sticky bathroom floor. The towels were tattered (literally) and the shower curtain was mildewed. We were only in town for one night for a meeting. I wanted to reprise the nice stay I had had a few years ago. Instead my husband poured our coffee when we couldn't find the wait staff. Not the experience you expect from a relais property. I was shocked when the cookies were wrapped in cellophane like 7-11... read more

I got married at the Clifton Inn in December of 2014, and have nothing but good things to say about it. Throughout the wedding process, we were well taken care of and assisted by several members of the staff. We first stayed at the Inn in November for a birthday celebration and wedding food & drink tasting. The meal was delicious and the staff spent a good deal of time sitting, talking & planning with us. There were many options for us to pick from, all with a consistency of style and quality. The staff was able to address a few customizations that we wanted easily and without making it an issue. The weekend of our wedding, we hosted a rehearsal dinner in the wine cellar. The staff was very attentive and the food (the southern style bbq meal) was absolutely delicious. Both my family (who are particular about food) and my in-laws (who are true southerners) thought it was a top notch meal. I highly recommend this meal for anyone who hosts an informal dinner at the Clifton Inn. The day of our wedding was flawless. We had a few day-of changes, and the staff was very helpful in changing things around last minute. We felt totally comfortable not hiring a wedding planner because of the organization of the Inn's two wedding planners (Chelsea & Isabel). They coordinated with several vendors to make sure we could stay totally relaxed and just "show up" to the wedding. Our wedding dinner was family style, but still maintained a semi-formality and elegance that didn't make it feel too casual. The kitchen staff coordinated the dinner for about 75 people in a way that had the courses properly spaced. The bartenders stayed up with us all night and made sure our guests' glasses were properly filled and addressed several special requests. The Inn itself is NOT an uber-fancy hotel. It is a historic building that creaks and has character. That is the exact reason that we selected it: Its charm and warmth. I found the staff of the inn attentive, the little extras (e.g. madeira wine in the rooms) fun and the decor comfortable. It's not the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond or the Omni in Charlottesville, and we were glad it wasn't. I'm looking forward to spending many anniversary dinners at the Clifton Inn in the years to come! read more

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