Top Resorts 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.

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Next weekend

In two weeks

In one month

In two months

Our top choices for Albemarle County resorts

Iris Inn and Cabins

Waynesboro

Dale

AED 1,368 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Mar - 24 Mar

2BR 2BA Luxury Woodstone w Hot Tub at Massanutten

Massanutten

Leigh Anne B.

Standard Cottage, Private Bathroom, Lake View (A-Frame Pawpaw Cottage) | Interior

Montfair Resort Farm

Crozet

Minhong

AED 578 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Mar - 24 Mar

Shenandoah Crossing Resort with acres of wilderness

Gordonsville

Karen P.

Shenandoah Crossing Resort with acres of wilderness

Gordonsville

Elizabeth R.

Shenandoah Villas Charming 3-bedroom 3-bath - Sleeps up to 12

Massanutten

Welcome to Eagle Trace at Massanutten, VA

Massanutten

Cozy 2-bedroom resort with AC, WiFi in enjoyable Massanutten

Massanutten

View all properties

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Top Albemarle County Hotel Reviews

Graduate by Hilton Charlottesville

6/10 Okay

"I was surprised that we did not get any daily room cleaning service. One morning the cafe was closed Because an employee failed to show up for work. They did offer us compensation with free continental breakfast and compensation at the restaurant. Sean bent over backwards in apologizing to us. "

Holiday Inn Charlottesville-Univ Area by IHG

6/10 Okay

"We have stayed several times at this Holiday Inn. It is a good location. The free breakfast leaves a lot to be desired. It is supposed to go on until 10 am, but many items empty at 9:00am. No spoons avail for cereal. The rooms are clean. The beds are moderately comfortable. The needs are met. But it could be better. "