Oakhurst Inn Charlottesville — Hotel in Charlottesville

Oh how I absolutely wish I could give the Oakhurst more than 2 stars but it was just disappointment after disappointment.

We checked in this past Thursday to a very friendly staff member who got us situated with our keys and location for our room. We then walked to our room which was down some very narrow (unlit) stairs and around the corner (room #1). Upon entering the room, it felt as if you were walking into a row house basement that hasn't seen a touch of renovation in a couple of decades. Dirty rugs in both the "living room" and bedroom.

Before dinner, we walked back over to the main office building as our wifi card said something to the tune of "enjoy a drink in our lobby bar." Once we got there, we were told that the lobby bar is only open on Monday evenings for jazz night...Why only have the bar open one night a week on a day less likely to have guest staying? Mind you, we were staying for three nights and none of which we were able to enjoy the bar. All of this so far has been day #1.

On day 2, we went wine tasting around Charlottesville and returned to our room at 4:00 PM to find there was no housekeeping service yet. Since this was night one, all we needed was fresh towels and another roll of toilet paper (the one we started with was 2/3 used and no additional rolls were in the room). We called the front desk to ask for additional towels and toilet paper and they were very friendly and quick to bring it directly to our room (one of the reasons why the service at least received a 2). The shower in the room has no door on it so you occasionally get water that splashes onto the bath mat (no big deal). The fact that there was absolutely NO housekeeping service throughout our stay, this bath mat continues to get saturated after saturated. Even the Quality Inn would have at least a basic housekeeping service or ask you if you need additional towels or housekeeping items. None of which was ever offered by the Oakhurst Inn staff except for the one time we had to call for services...Not the boutique high-priced service you'd come to expect.

This morning, as we were leaving rather let down and frustrated, we just wanted to leave and head home. We checked out quickly and efficiently but no receipt was provided. When I got in the car, my apple wallet notified me I was charted $49.97 by the hotel. I went back into the hotel lobby to ask about the charge and they let me know it was for a nightly parking fee. This parking fee was not communicated upon check-in. You should also take note that you must give them your car keys because their lot is so small, they "might" need to move your car to make more space. I scoured their website to try and find the parking fee to eventually stumble upon it buried in the FAQ page. Again, this is a boutique, high-cost hotel...why the lack of transparency?

As you can imagine, we likely won't return to the Oakhurst Inn. We paid $1,048.70 for three nights in a housekeeping-less and dirty basement, inn. I'm sure you can find another hotel in town that fits your checklist that isn't the Oakhurst Inn...

+1 star for good check-in service and quick service when needing a towel and roll of toilet paper. +1 star for location -3 stars for the disappointment...

It's difficult to say how fantastic The Red Door Cottage at The Oakhurst Inn was for me. my family and caregivers. I began my search in February 2020, before COVID, for an extended stay location. It had recently been determined that I required a Stem Cell Transplant and upon release from UVA I would have to remain in Charlottesville for at least 70 days to be near the UVA hospital. I unexpectedly came across The Oakhurst and was intrigued. I spoke with Bill; after much discussion we determined that The Red Door Cottage was a better fit than a hotel room as I needed 2 bedrooms and a kitchen. We knew after our second visit/tour, after COVID hit, that the cottage would be the perfect place for me to land after a month in the hospital during stem cell transplant. The cost for the cottage was less than a 1 bedroom hotel suite in the area which made the deal even sweeter. Bill worked patiently with me as my arrival/departure dates fluctuated due to actual hospital admission date. The cottage is perfectly appointed with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living/dining room, small kitchen and covered sitting porch. The cottage (with private entrance) and Oakhurst are nestled on a quiet street within a lovely neighborhood. After COVID hit it was even more important that I be in a situation to keep my distance from others so the private entrance was a blessing. Walking was a very important part of my recovery; there are plenty of safe places to walk just outside the door. The staff; every staff member we came in contact with was friendly, courteous, kind and helpful no matter my request. They willing left clean linens at the door after I requested no one should come in due to COVID. They let me use a washer/dryer onsite and even offered to wash my clothes if I desired. When I had mail or medical supplies delivered they brought them to my door. I celebrated my 50th birthday while hold up in Charlottesville and The Oakhurst staff brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers in recognition. The Red Door Cottage was truly an oasis from enjoying morning coffee on the sitting porch, al fresco dining on the patio to quiet moments spent reading in the sunny front yard. I could go on and on. You must see to fully understand the hidden treasure that is the Oakhurst & Red...

Lovely property comprised of several converted homes on a circular drive. We arrived late so we never experienced the famous valet service. We parked on the circle but were still required to surrender our car key at the front desk.

I had booked a king bed in one of the larger rooms and quickly realized from the email confirmation that I’d booked the prior night by mistake. The hotel website did not offer a way to correct or cancel so I called to cancel and change the date.

Having not received an updated confirmation, I called to confirm. It turned out, we failed to rebook the king room during the first call. This is where things started to feel like we had made a mistake. The hotel rep said there were rooms available but that we would get whatever was left at the late hour we arrived. Why could we not nail down the best available room? Makes zero sense!

So, of course, we ended up in a TINY queen room with minimal charm and for $321.77 incl. tax. Ok. We slept fine, I retrieved the car key at the lobby and we rolled on out. Several hours later when we were half way to PA, the hotel called to let us know that we never returned the room key. I apologized and told him we’d get it right back to them. Three times during the call, he communicated that we’d be charged $75 for every day the key is not returned. So I shipped it right back via UPS NDA = $66.33.

A $75 ($78.98 w/tax) penalty had been charged to my credit card on check out day. Punitive for sure. Why wait to see if the guest was willing to handle the key issue with urgency? After all, backup keys can’t be made for $5 and kept on hand - which I’m certain they are. So this feels a trap and an easy way to bill the customer for their egregious error.

And why not offer a key exchange when I picked up our car key? Why hold our key if not to insure you get yours back? Most hotel stays don’t include a room key return anymore. Guests may not be practiced at it. Why make that such a big deal? Chill out. Assume your guests are good people and maintain the charm that your property deserves.

Total cost for a one night stay in a tiny room with mediocre service and punitive culture = $467,08. ...