The Highlander at Radford, Tapestry Collection by Hilton — Hotel in Radford City

Gorgeous hotel with management who have zero interest in being good stewards of the community. I’ve never stayed here but the rooms and the common areas are gorgeous. Clearly, Radford University has invested in a modern, boutique hotel that screams midrange boutique chain (aloft, indigo, etc). To their credit they have incredible artwork on loan from the University.

Unfortunately it’s sterile and usually pretty empty. Except for bluegrass nights which I’ll get to in a second. While I assume the hotel mainly attracts people in town for university business, aside from that I don’t know where else they attract clientele. First off, the management fails to recognize or embrace the vital role the hotel can play in the community. In fact it seems to actively shun it. For example, their super popular Monday night blue grass jam that used to be hosted in the restaurant — and packed the house, was perpetually understaffed. Big tables ordering meals, couples tapping their feet, and a line out the door. Instead of staffing up and embracing the local community coming in, they shunted the jamboree to a conference room downstairs with inadequate seats and no food or drink service. The restaurant now sits empty and the musicians lost their audience. How’s that a win win?

They’ve also struggled with creating a menu that strikes the balance between creative and inspired, and inaccessible. When we first visited we were shocked by dinner prices that averaged $40+ person and cocktails easily coming in at $15+. In NoVA or another top 5 city these prices could fly - but in Radford it was so out of line with anything else being offered. And not in a good way. For example, their upcoming tasting menu cost $140pp. Yes it’s a creative concept, but I’m not sure how many students or locals can afford this price point when the most popular spots in the area are hosting buy one get one free burger nights. Or $15 wood fired pizzas. Granted this is a nice hotel that is partially subsidized by the university, but by taking up such a central spot in the community you would think they would want more locals to come? Particularly when the food & dining areas sit empty.

If I was looking for a clean place to crash across from the university this would be great. But as someone who comes to Radford to experience the culture and vibrancy of the Appalachian community, I find every visit to the hotel leaves me saddened by what it could be yet what the management...

I had not planned on doing a review on this hotel, but something happened before we left that I had to warn others about. Hotel was nice, but rooms not as clean as many reviews say they are. Had to clean glass rings from top of desk after we checked in. The problem started when we tried to take our old dog outside and had a hard time finding any piece of grass that was not loaded with dog poop. Both new piles and one’s weeks old were all over. Had to walk to the back of the parking lot to find something half way clean for my dog to walk on. A bigger issue at this hotel would be the ignorance of the general manager. When we were headed back across the parking lot with our old dog, we spotted a loose Husky running in the parking lot between us and the hotel. Our dog is very old and very fragile so my wife hid behind the first vehicle she could get behind while I screamed to the only person who was outside at the time, “is that your dog”? That is when the dog naturally started running toward us. In trying to block the Husky from getting to my dog, I moved forward, put my arms out and stomped on the ground. In the process screaming at the man out there who was the general manager of the hotel, to call the dog and get it on a leash. Then the GM got closer and began calling ME an a--hole because I was upset and wanted him to collect the dog. He also told me I should leave. At no time thru all this did the GM ever try to call the dog, catch the dog, or leash the dog, stating the dog was trained. The dog was still running loose by the time we were able to get our dog past it and to the hotel door. At 14 our dog is very fragile and one bump from another dog could hurt her. To say nothing of the fact that what if MY dog was dog aggressive and the GM could have cared less about his dog running loose and up to anyone. When checking in to this hotel we signed a lengthy agreement for the dog and keeping the dog leashed was on that agreement. I believe the city of Radford also has a leash law. So why then would the hotel GM not obey the same rules. Be aware if you have pets at this hotel take cover, and if you do or do not have pets, stay off the grass, you will for sure get something on your shoes. GM was an idiot and clearly in the wrong. He will get some dog or person hurt one day. Would never...

My wife and I took advantage of the one the Resident's Night Out events this summer. The price for a one night stay and dinner for two was really reasonable. We have friends and family that come into town and this would be a great spot to recommend, but we wanted to try it out first.

Pros: Great location, beautiful views! We loved the touches of Radford all around the hotel and the color scheme was very thoughtful. They come across more like a boutique hotel and everything looked really well-designed and decorated. The shower and bathroom were really spacious and looked high-end. It was easy to book and check in was easy. The coffee shop on the main level and the restaurant on top level was very well-thought out.

Cons: We booked a room with a king bed and it was 100% not a king. At best, a queen but could have been a double. The room was very dusty on all surfaces, including the sideboard, coffee pot, picture frames, etc. The RU blanket that's available for purchase (or use in the room) had not been cleaned from prior guests. There was lots of dog hair stuck in the fibers. The shower floor is not sloped so the water runs into the center drain. It puddled on the backside of the shower and didn't dry overnight. The confirmation I received when booking specifically stated that an email would be sent the night before our stay with check-in information, etc. We did not receive that. Because we booked a month in advance and didn't get an email, we didn't know or remember to make dinner reservations for the included buffet. The front desk told us they only had the last sitting of the night for 8:30 available and said they would send a confirmation text. We did not get the text and they admitted when we checked in that they couldn't remember who we were and forgot to get our number. When we went up for dinner, the restaurant was literally empty. Why we had to wait that long was a mystery since the place was cleared out and most tables were open.

We want to love this place! The cleanliness of the room was the biggest issue. You can tell it was prepped a month ago and no one gave it a look again before we checked in. And they charge for WiFi if you use it for multiple devices? Odd considering the...