Inn of the Shenandoah — Hotel in Luray

Stayed 2 nights in August for our 18th Anniversary. This was our first foray into the world of B&Bs. We chose the Inn because it had that Victorian/historical appeal and it was located in Luray in the scenic Shenandoah valley. The Inn was great. It was cozy and eclectic and felt very much like a place stuck in time. We stayed in the Boudoir Suite which felt like what I'm sure luxury must've been like 120 years ago when people still rode in a horse and buggy. It included a sofa, lots of antique storage and a exterior door to the wrap-around balcony on the 2nd floor; each room has it's own balcony patio set with table cloth and cushions. The En Suite was equal in size and had a nice jetted tub with powerful jets; quality tested and approved. The room had standard amenities; large LED TV, mini-fridge, air purifiers, mini soaps and shampoos, hairdryer, iron, wireless charger and an Alexa dot. Alexa dots scattered throughout the Inn were always playing jazz and added to the ambience. The first floor consisted of multiple sitting rooms open to everyone and decorated with antiques and novelties, and a breakfast bar. There is a also a large front porch with ample seating and a fire pit. The Inn sits on Main St, a 15 min or less walk from some cafes, and several venues that offer live music. Of course, it's only a few mins drive from Luray Caverns and the beautiful Skyline Drive.

Art, the host/Innkeeper was awesome. He'll pamper you if you let him. He provides breakfast in the morning which is usually sourced from the Chef that operates a bakery across the street. The quiche was superb. Art personally grinds the coffee for the guests. Art will tell you the best spots to eat, hike, take pics etc. He's honest and recommended activities and restaurants in neighboring towns that he felt were better options. Upon check-in we got a full tour of the Inn including some history. Art gave us a binder of local and not-so local activities and restaurants. We texted with him throughout our stay and he was always available to answer questions and assist us. We think of Art as a personal concierge; a Siri that cooks breakfast. The personal attention really made our stay memorable.

Luray itself is a small town. It did have limited options for eating. Fine dining is scarce and there's none of the common sit-down franchises you find everywhere else save for some fast food near the caverns. Some restaurants on Main St had just recently closed.

The Inn is near some railroad tracks. I only recall hearing the train twice, but it was barely noticeable. The bane of Art's existence, as he'll brief you in full, is the Fire Dept evacuation horn. It's crazy loud. It sounds like a WWII air raid siren. It goes off randomly during the day. If you don't have a local nearby to explain it, you'll think the German bombers are making their final approach or maybe a zombie horde is descending on Luray. It's a tradition in Luray. Fortunately, it did not sound off while we were sleeping. It wasn't a deal-killer for us. We enjoyed the charm of the small town that quite literally revels in it's own history.

We had a great stay at The Inn at Shenandoah. It was better than we hoped for. The accommodations were accurately described on the website. The big surprise was Art. He went the extra mile and gave us so much attention when we were around. Bare in mind, we were on vacation from our kids... We wanted to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet and charm of the Inn. We didn't spend all day away from the Inn hiking and driving through the national park. We spent a lot of time walking the main street, and a fair amount of time at the Inn, so we probably got more mileage out of Art than some guests.

If you want to enjoy a little slice of history and get away from stale cookie cutter hotels with kids running down the hallways all night, then this is the place for you. It's quaint and quirky and full of character. We had a blast staying here.

Thanks for the...

From day one of our trip, Matthew and Janina were fantastic hosts. Genuinely friendly, easy to chat and shoot the breeze with, knowledgeable about the area, and went above and beyond to make our trip as memorable as possible. Also, Larry was absolutely adorable!

The Inn of the Shenandoah is the prototypical B&B that I think of when staying in such establishments. The old Victorian charm of the house and the Turret Suite fit with our style perfectly. The house and room we were staying in was kept exceptionally clean, as well as accommodating and luxuriously comfortable. Oh, and there is a jacuzzi for two a couple feet from the bed which was exceptionally wonderful after our long hike up Kennedy's Peak (highly recommended).

As advertised, breakfast is provided. You have access to various teas, fruits and yogurts, a rotating selection of muffins or pastries, and snack bars. However, the main stars were the various quiches that they get from the baker across the street (Main Street Bakery, also recommended). The mushroom and onion quiche was to die for, and something that I think we both will be coming back to have in the future. If the options available do not interest you, do not fret, Matthew and Janina are more than happy to make you what you want.

The only 'negative' that might be an issue for some would be the train rolling through late at night with no regard to their whistle or the potential for the fire station alarm to go off. Hardly a knock on this B&B, but something to keep in mind if you are a light sleeper.

All in all, we both had a wonderful time here with many fond memories. I foresee us...

The Inn keepers made us feel welcome from the moment we stepped on the property. This beautiful victorian style home is not only classy but has a warmth and welcoming energy. Our rooms were immaculately clean. The room accommodations were spacious and comfortable. The king size bed was clean and comfortable to sleep on. The spa tub was relaxing and therapeutic. Larry, the hypoallergenic golden doodle was adorable and well behaved. The property offers several covered porches and sitting rooms. The location is close to several area attractions including the Duke of Hazard museum, where Cooter is sometimes live and in person as he was when we visited. The local brewer in walking distance had friendly staff and a fun atmosphere for enjoying a refreshing beverage. You are a short drive to lakes, rivers and the skyway. Every person we encountered in town was friendly and welcoming especially the Inn Keepers Matt and Janina. and finally each morning we were met with a delicious hot breakfast with fresh fruit and juice and assortment of baked goods. You will not be...