The Jefferson Hotel — Hotel in Richmond

06/07/2025

Incredibly beautiful hotel and only five-star option in the area! Stayed as part of AMEX FHR program in a large King Premier. For the price paid (about $1,000) for the one night [not typical pricing], I expected a higher quality of service esp. as part of the AMEX FHR program. The hotel while incredibly beautiful is more of a local institution [champagne brunches, tea times open to general public w/ paid tix I believe] than a place for tourists, which provides undeniable character but might be a bit off-putting and unwelcoming to out of town guests. Compared to other options, this hotel is a step ahead but fails to hit the mark for AMEX FHR and 5-star quality.

3/5 stars

On a personal and not measurable metric, as a person of color, I felt welcomed at the hotel and treated kindly which is all anyone can truly ask for. That said, I did not feel respected. And, I might argue that is the difference between this hotel and other chain hotels or smaller boutiques who either utilize more standardized training or are more naturally inclined to showcase more southern hospitality.

Pros: Beautiful hotel, incredibly opulent and friendly staff members throughout Room, while dated, was great! It felt more like a living room, which works for the older style of the hotel in general. You feel like the guest of an Antebellum wealthy aristocrat. Amex FHR provided daily breakfast for two, food was fairly good. Ordered salmon benedicts. Could use more seasoning/taste flavor esp. for the cuisine Richmond is known for. -Staff at Lemaire restaurant was incredibly kind, and I left a $60 tip on top of an automatic 20% gratuity. But no thank you given, not necessary but was noticed.

Bed was very comfortable.

Cons:

No greeting upon arrival at the hotel. Bell hop did not acknowledge nor offer help for luggage. No assistance was offered by concierge either except to direct us to front desk.

Dirty, stray hairs in the shower from previous patrons upon check-in [will add photos]. Room service did not clean the room at all during my stay. Room service did not provide turn-down service despite requesting it at check-in, so I missed out on the famous chocolates.

No upgrade provided as part of FHR program, told by front desk at check-in without prompting. Claimed no availability, but I believe this had more to do with my stay falling on a black-out date.

Room did not feature a mini-fridge, but on-site restaurants allow you to take leftovers?

Many events and weddings, leading to loud and boisterous patrons throughout the night. Hotel should do a better job of managing guests [those not actually listed on the reservation]. Parties until 3AM, until front desk was called for security.

For the AMEX FHR breakfast, patrons should not need to have to present paper meal ticket vouchers. It is 2025, and already paying a surcharged rate for...

We visited the hotel during the Christmas holiday season to experience the decor and the amenities the hotel had to offer. We were lucky enough to stay using the fine hotels and resorts through American Express.

Overall, the decor of the hotel during the holidays is very nice and very festive. They decorate for Christmas better than nearly anywhere outside of New York. You do feel the Christmas spirit at the hotel.

The rooms are well appointed, and in line with mid level luxury hotel that you would expect from a fine hotel and resort.

The level of service was disappointing, and clearly geared towards the general public visiting, as opposed to hotel guests. To be fair, the Jefferson does warn that the hotel is busy during the holiday season, and that warning should be taken seriously.

None of the staff will care if you are a guest at the hotel, because they are overwhelmed. Nearly every person we interacted with on the staff was rude, dismissive, and seemingly looked at us as a bother. The lone exception to this was Jared, who was our server for the Champagne brunch. Jared, was professional, warm, and clearly had a passion for service. The rest of the Jefferson staff should take notes from Jared.

As a guest, we were not able to eat breakfast any of the mornings we were there as the restaurant was overwhelmed. The same went for lunch and dinner. Every moment any of the restaurants were open, they were chaotic, and unable to provide service. The bar tenders at Lemaire and TJs could only be described as rude. Again, I mentioned that the hotel said it would be busy, but I had no idea that as a guest I would not be able to get food or drinks. We wanted to stay at the hotel and be able to do all of our celebrating without leaving the property. We did order from room service, which was fine, but as expected very expensive, and not fun to eat in a hotel room for all of your meals.

We were looking for a home away from home to establish a holiday tradition, but this place is not a good place for that. The hotel clearly caters towards walk in guests for the restaurants and their tea / brunch service. One would suspect that hotel makes a majority of its money during the holiday season, and makes every effort to maximize profits.

The hotel decor and brunch are worth checking out, but I would highly advise to save money and stay else where. The service is far below what one would expect at a mid level luxury hotel, especially one offered on American Express' fine hotels and resorts. You can visit for brunch, and stay somewhere close by that values its hotel guests. Some options could be Quirk, The Boulevard Inn, The Graduate, The Commonwealth, Linden Row...really anywhere else that values guests who pay to...

A Majestic Stay at The Jefferson, Richmond's Crown Jewel

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the moment we stepped into the grand lobby of The Jefferson Hotel, we were transported into a world of opulence and historical charm. The level of detail in this 5-star establishment is nothing short of breathtaking; every corner exudes elegance, with marble floors, intricate wood carvings, and ornate chandeliers that hark back to the Gilded Age.

Our room was a sanctuary of comfort, with luxurious bedding, exquisite furnishings, and a view that captured the essence of Richmond. The staff's attention to detail was unparalleled; they anticipated our every need, making our stay feel both personal and pampered.

One of the highlights, without a doubt, was the culinary journey we embarked on at the hotel's two top-tier restaurants. Each meal was an experience in itself. The first restaurant offered a menu that was a fusion of classic and modern cuisine, executed with precision and creativity. However, it was the second restaurant where we found our culinary highlight - the smash burger. Words hardly do justice to this gastronomic delight; the patty was perfectly charred, juicy, and packed with flavor, served on a brioche bun with toppings that complemented each other beautifully. It wasn't just a burger; it was an event.

The ambiance in both dining venues was as impeccable as the food. The service was attentive yet unobtrusive, allowing us to enjoy every moment in the beautiful, historically rich surroundings.

Beyond the dining, the facilities at The Jefferson are top-notch. The spa offered a serene escape with treatments that were both rejuvenating and indulgent. The pool area, though tranquil, was a nod to the hotel's commitment to luxury in every aspect.

In summary, The Jefferson Hotel isn't just a place to stay; it's an experience to savor. The meticulous attention to detail, the culinary excellence, and the welcoming warmth of the staff make it an unmatched choice for anyone visiting Richmond. Whether you're there for business or pleasure, prepare to be enchanted by this magnificent hotel. Our stay was not just memorable; it was...