On the Road to The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia
A much larger and grander Jefferson Hotel reopened in 1907 after a massive renovation and addition with a total of 430 rooms (the original hotel had only 100 rooms). The Grand Staircase and Mezzanine, that once were behind an archway, became major features to the architectural design of the hotel. The Grand Ballroom was added during this renovation.
The Clock Tower at The Jefferson Hotel
Alligators were also a part of the grand reopening of the hotel in 1907. The large marble pool that at one time graced the Palm Court lobby was home to several alligators. In fact, many of Richmond’s residents brought their pet alligators to live in this pool when they became too large to live with them. (Who brings an alligator home as a pet??). Needless to say, there were all sorts of wild stories surrounding the alligators. The last alligator to swim in the pool was Old Pompey. He was at the hotel until he passed away in 1948.
You can see both the old and new structures from this view
The hotel went through another fire in 1944 and after several other setbacks and a lack of interest in historic preservation, the hotel closed in 1980. The hotel underwent yet another major renovation and reopened once again in 1986 under new ownership. The last sale of the hotel occurred in 1991 to the Historic Hotels, Inc., a Richmond based firm, that invested in another multimillion dollar renovation.
The Concierge was very accomodating to our dog Beamer
Today, The Jefferson Hotel truly is a grand hotel. The sweeping staircase in the Rotunda is rumored to have been the inspiration for the staircase in Gone with the Wind. The hotel is stunning in its architecture and the Rotunda area is breathtaking. I had been there many years ago when I was in college and I had forgotten how beautiful it was.
The Grand Staircase may have been the inspiration for the one in Gone With the Wind
I would highly recommend staying at The Jefferson Hotel if you travel to the Richmond area. Whether you stay at the hotel or are just passing through Richmond or live in the area, be sure to dine at Lemaire restaurant, which is adjacent to the Palm Court lobby. Our dinners there were truly memorable. The food is fresh and creative and inspired by Southern ingredients. I met with and interviewed Executive Chef Walter Bundy during our stay. We had a great time and a delightful conversation. That interview will be published later this week along with a perfect summertime recipe from this chef.
Have a great week!
Disclosure – The Jefferson Hotel provided a reduced room rate for our stay.
How gorgeous is this place? I’d definitely want to stay there if I was in the area. Look forward to the interview and recipe you’ll be posting 🙂
Gwen, that is just lovely! Can’t wait to show it to my friend, Anne.
My goodness, you find some beautiful places to sleep and eat! Looking forward to the interview with Chef Bundy.
Hey there,
It’s hard work, but we are up for the challenge to do it! 🙂 You definitely need to come our way so we can experience it all together! Louisville!
Gwen
The hotel ceiling is spectacular, love the stairway too. The photos are unbelievable. Thank you for bringing this to us.
You are welcome. 🙂 It is a gorgeous hotel.
I’ve been to Richmond a few times but never to luxury like this! What a gorgeous hotel. Lucky you!
That hotel is simply amazing; so grand, so beautiful. Looking forward to the interview and to the chef’s recipe!
I’ve heard such marvelous things about The Jefferson Hotel and it really does look fantastic! Great post, darling!
What a gorgeous hotel! Thank you for the recommendation!
What a stunning hotel! I was blown away by the grandeur from the first picture to the last. Thank you for sharing this trip with me. I hope you are having a blessed week, my friend. Much love!
I have stayed at the Jefferson a few times and was disappointed with the shabbiness of the rooms. Definitely in need of an updating. Have all the rooms been renovated?
Hi Jack,
We had a very nice room, so I did not have the same experience you did. I would say that the room we were in appeared to have been renovated somewhat recently. It was in excellent shape and the linens, bathroom and furnishings were all very nice. I checked Trip Advisor (which I use frequently for travel) and did see that nearly everyone posted a stellar review of the hotel.
I would suggest that you request an updated room if you return to the hotel. I know that hotels and restaurants take comments very seriously and want their guests to be happy and return, so don’t be afraid to ask for a nicer room. Good luck!
Gwen
It was a dump in the 1970’s before it was closed in 1980.
It was renovated & reopened as the Jefferson Sheraton 1986-1991
Upgraded in 1993 & 1999.
Most rooms were nice but never matched the grandeur of the public spaces in the lobbies
I have heard that the musician Billy Joel was a part-owner or something of the Jefferson at one time. Do you know if there is any truth to that?
Hi John,
I could not find anything about that online, but it could be possible he was a member of one of the groups of investors that owned the hotel at one period of time. If you are really curious about it, you might contact the hotel and ask for the General Manager. He might have some of that information. Good luck!
Gwen
Yep
He was part of an investment group, the Ross group, that renovated the hotel 1983-1986 & reopened in 1986 under Sheraton management until 1991.
I worked there as a bellman from 1991-2006
My experience at the grand Jefferson’s Hotel was wonderful considering the situation that got me there, I was doing a friend a favor which included driving her to Richmond for a hairdo, yes a hairdo, it was a wonderful ride there but on the way back after six hours of waiting for her, she flipped the strip and ask me to take her to the bathroom , I told her let me look one up since I was not familiar with Richmond, I found the Jefferson Hotel and it seemed to be safe and clean, I took her there and I was driving once I got her there she started screaming for me to get out of her car for what reasons I don’t know, the gentleman which was security at the hotel was so nice he let me sit in that beautiful hotel until my daughter drove from Norfolk to get me, they made me feel so welcome and safe I truly appreciate them to this day. When I walked through the doors it was something I ever seen in my life, seemed like God put me in Paradise right then I know that god had me as always, what was meant to harm me god protected and put me in paradise with wonderful people. I could not afford to stay the night but I enjoyed the few hours I spent there, God is always there for me and one day I will thank the Jefferson’s in person and spend the night in there beautiful rooms, even though I did not see the rooms I know from my heart that the rooms are breath taking, thanks for keeping me safe that night. Remember when your are in harms way God will protect you.