eswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

Keswick Hall: A Stately Virginia Retreat

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Each year, we go somewhere the day after tax season ends to celebrate SVV’s newfound freedom. This year, it just so happened I needed to go to Charlottesville for work, our Semester at Sea friends were all going to be in town that weekend (a rarity) and—most importantly—there’s no prettier time of the year to visit Virginia.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

The last time we were in northern Virginia happened to be the same weekend three years prior. On that occasion, we drove. This time, we didn’t want to waste a single moment at Keswick Hall so we hopped a flight and were thrilled to find how easy it was to fly from Nashville to Charlottesville, despite a (very quick) layover in Dulles. CHO Airport couldn’t be quicker to get in and out of, and three hours after taking off from Nashville—and within 10 minutes of landing at CHO—we were in our rental car and cruising toward Keswick.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

I didn’t really know what to expect, seeing as we stayed with friends last visit and that this particular five-star resort in Charlottesville is such a prestigious hub for golfers. But I was pleased to see that while the 600-acre estate was pure luxury around every turn, there was no snobbery whatsoever.

Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia
Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

With a history spanning more than a century, Keswick opened as a private estate in 1912. In 1990, it was purchased by Laura Ashley’s widower—yes, that Laura Ashley—Sir Bernard Ashley and became a luxury resort a few years later. Now, there are 48 rooms in the main building, all of which underwent a massive renovation that was completed last year and included an upgrade in all the room interiors with Frette linens, Molton Brown bath amenities and much more.

Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia
Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

We’d barely had time to unpack when I set out on a tour of the expansive gardens with their keeper while SVV snoozed off his tax season fatigue.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia
Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia

With more than four dozen numbered beds, maintaining the gardens at Keswick are a full-time job. On top of the color-themed beds, the flowering trees, the native plants and the landscaping flanking the two pools, there’s also a huge produce and herb garden from which the chef sources many ingredients for the restaurant and bars.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia
Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia

Next up, it was time to hop on a cart and see Full Cry, the Pete Dye-designed golf course, in its entirety. Now, I’m no golfer but this 18-hole, Audubon-certified course had me wanted to suit up and tee off. We spotted deer and woodchucks in the forest surrounding the course and were told you can see a bevy of other animals like fox depending on the time of day.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia
Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia

We didn’t wind up hitting the links as golfers—just as tourists with our wine in hand—but we did take full advantage of the golf club facilities, like the spa (couples massage anyone?). We also tried every restaurant on property…you know, in the name of research. On our first night there, we had dinner with my friend Janet in the estate’s Villa Crawford Bar, which overlooks the course.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

OK, fine, you know the truth: We had drinks first and decided rather than relocating to Fossett’s next door, that we’d just order off of the restaurant menu from the bar. Can we just talk about how jalapeno margaritas are my new favorite drink of choice?

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

I can’t describe how perfect a drink this was: a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy. And of course, I had to try another cocktail (or three), as well…for comparison’s sake…this time a strawberry basil mojito, which also didn’t disappoint.

Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia
Keswick Hall Resort in Virginia

For dinner, we started with a charcuterie plate while we made our decisions. For me, that was the lamb, though I probably ate about half of Janet’s cavatelli, it was so delicious.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

Obviously, we also had dessert before the night ended. You know me better than that to even ask such a silly question.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

Breakfast each morning was in the sun-drenched Fossett’s restaurant, and while the menu had some of my favorite brunch offerings on it like eggs Benny, I ordered the yogurt parfait each time.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

Don’t tell me you could resist this thing of beauty either.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

On Friday, we went to tour Thomas Jefferson’s residence, Monticello, in the morning as it’s less than 10 minutes from the estate, then returned to Keswick Hall for a lunch al fresco.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

That afternoon was unseasonably warm, topping out in the mid-80s, so we made our base with this as our background. Infinity pool with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond? Don’t mind if we do.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

I didn’t want to leave, and had a particularly powerful April shower not reared its ugly head, I might have sat there until sundown. There was also a wedding happening the following night that began with cocktail hour at this very pool, and the whole set-up was just gorgeous. Future brides, you’d be wise to choose Kewsick Hall as your wedding venue, and when you do say “I do,” invite me along, will ya? (Consider it my finder’s fee.)

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

This was one of the few trips where we had a full three days to enjoy the property, and not much on the agenda other than friend time. It was the perfect weekend away after a particularly hectic spring, and I think I speak for us both when I say we wouldn’t turn down a return trip to Keswick in the future!

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

Visitor’s Tip: You may hear hounds baying in the distance; that’s not your imagination, but rather the hunt club across the street from Keswick Hall boasts 60 hounds who can be seen out for their morning stroll six days a week at 9am (they have Sundays off). Consider that your wake-up call, and go tag along with them. It’s quite the sight to behold.

Keswick Hall: A Luxury Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia

COMMENTS
  • April 27, 2015

    That place looks incredible. So peaceful and I must say I’m loving that pool. Hope you had a good stay! 🙂

    • June 20, 2015

      I want to go back to that pool now that it’s nice and hot and summer! I’ve never seen one so inviting.

  • April 27, 2015
    Briel K.

    Those purple and orange flowers are gorgeous! (Keswick-Hall-10). And love that pool shot. 🙂

  • April 28, 2015
    Kim Edwards

    Kristin, this place looks awesome! Thanks for the article. I think Ray Ray needs to golf there! I am going to check put their website for pricing. Don’t worry, I am sitting down. Lol.

    • June 20, 2015

      I hope you take him there! Happy to answer any questions you might have 😉

  • April 29, 2015

    The flowers are so pretty! Makes me want to start a garden. Great pictures.

    • June 20, 2015

      Thank you, Tanya! And we’ve been having fun with our own garden here in TN this summer, though none turned out nearly as pretty as Keswick’s 😉

  • May 1, 2015

    Ooh – I could do with a relaxing retreat right now. Looks great!

  • May 4, 2015

    Okay, nothing with “golf” in the title is really ever my style, but you definitely won me over with those food and pool pics! Hot damn!

    • June 20, 2015

      But think of all the cute costumes to be had! 😉

  • May 7, 2015

    What a property!! Looks absolutely magnificent!

  • May 12, 2015

    Article that you had shared with us is useful for us. Talked about different conceptual views.

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