Top Lodges in Albemarle County in 2026

Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, who began designing and building Monticello at age 26 after inheriting land from his father. Located just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, in the Piedmont region, the plantation was originally 5,000 acres (20 km2), with Jefferson using slaves for extensive cultivation of tobacco and mixed crops, later shifting from tobacco cultivation to wheat in response to changing markets.

Jefferson designed the main house using neoclassical design principles described by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, subsequently reworking the design through much of his presidency to include design elements popular in late 18th-century Europe and integrating numerous of his own design solutions. Situated on the summit of an 850-foot (260 m)-high peak in the Southwest Mountains south of the Rivanna Gap, the name Monticello derives from the Italian for "little mount". Along a prominent lane adjacent to the house, Mulberry Row, the plantation came to include numerous outbuildings for specialized functions, e.g., a nailery; quarters for domestic slaves; gardens for flowers, produce, and Jefferson's experiments in plant breeding — along with tobacco fields and mixed crops. Cabins for field slaves were located farther from the mansion.

At Jefferson's direction, he was buried on the grounds, in an area now designated as the Monticello Cemetery. The cemetery is owned by the Monticello Association, a society of his descendants through Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson.[4] After Jefferson's death, his daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph sold the property. In 1834 it was bought by Uriah P. Levy, a commodore in the U.S. Navy, who admired Jefferson and spent his own money to preserve the property. His nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy took over the property in 1879; he also invested considerable money to restore and preserve it. In 1923, Monroe Levy sold it to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF), which operates it as a house museum and educational institution. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1987 Monticello and the nearby University of Virginia, also designed by Jefferson, were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Our top choices for Albemarle County lodges

Unique Massanutten Lodge, Hot Tub, Game Room w/foosball and Gorgeous Views!!

McGaheysville

Thomas K.

Historic Old Massanutten Lodge. Hot Tub! close to JMU and Massanutten Resort!

Keezletown

Alison R.

PRIME dates available!! 5-STARS! Book NOW! Luxury Mountain Home - Sleeps 14,

McGaheysville

Tara H.

Season 4 Escape - Managed by Gr8Escapes

Massanutten

Bridget L.

Ultimate Getaway: A Resort within a Resort

McGaheysville

Tan P.

AMAZING VIEWS! Hiking/Shenandoah ParkAccess/62 Private ACRES-4 Bedroom Suites

Elkton

Steve M.

Foxtrot Lodge - Cozy Mountain Orchard Getaway

Tyro

Roseland, VA. Private mountain retreat on 63 acres.

Roseland

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Top Albemarle County Hotel Reviews

English Inn of Charlottesville

10/10 Excellent

"Great stay!"

Massanutten Resort

6/10 Okay

"Everything was close by, the staff is very friendly and the place is clean. But the water park is dated and needs more slides for the price you pay. Tubing was fun but you could barely hear the music and the lights were few. There isn't much to do other than that and what there is to do is very expensive. "

Graduate by Hilton Charlottesville

8/10 Good

"We stayed one night at Graduate by Hilton Charlottesville during a week-long trip. The location is a big plus—easy access to UVA, shops, and restaurants—and the staff were friendly and helpful. The attached garage was convenient with in/out access, though $26/night feels a bit high. That said, the rooms don’t match the strong reviews. While the lobby and common areas are nicely done, the rooms feel like a modest refresh of what appears to be a former Red Roof Inn. Low ceilings, flat doors, basic finishes, and inexpensive furniture/hardware give it a dated, budget-hotel feel. Paint and decor only go so far—the underlying structure shows. Even the basic cable TV adds to that impression. One thing to be aware of: there’s a UVA/medical heating plant (or similar facility) across the street. During our stay it produced a constant low-frequency hum/rumble that could bother light sleepers. If that’s a concern, request a room on the even-numbered side facing away from W. Main St (US 250). Overall: great location and service, but rooms may not meet expectations for the price."