A Roman-style pool beckons, along with hot tub.
When visiting Winchester, Virginia, a stay at the George Washington A Wyndham Grand Hotel is a smart and luxurious choice. Why? the location can’t be beat as it is in the city’s historic downtown, filled with walkable boutique shopping, interesting architecture, and restaurants.
The hotel has many amenities including restaurant, bar and a beautiful pool. And to ease out your travel knots, there’s the on-site Saumaj Health Spa with a variety of massage and esthetic services.
Situated on the northern edge of the Shenandoah Valley, the 90-guest-room hotel is an hour’s drive from Washington, DC. A stately Georgian Revival design, it was built in 1924 and offers historic luxury matched with modern amenities.
Walk into the lobby of the George Washington A Wyndham Grand Hotel and you’ll be met with soaring ceilings, gleaming marble flooring, and the original front desk. There’s someone at the desk 24/7 and they are extremely helpful and cheerful no matter what time you approach them.
Staying true to the hotel’s name, the main wall in the lobby is hung with a portrait of the country’s founding father. You’ll also find depictions of various military leaders in the American Revolutionary War, including British ones.
Although almost 100 years old, the George Washington A Wyndham Grand Hotel shines with attractive updates. After undergoing a $30 million renovation in 2008, many amenities were added or refreshed.
On the lower level, you can find the Roman-style pool complete with columns and a hot tub. A small fitness center is equipped with treadmills, an elliptical machine, weights, and balls.
Check out the restaurant, George’s Food & Spirits is open for breakfast, Sunday brunch, and dinner. Here you can find classic American fare, including steaks, and cobb salads. In seasonal weather, it’s a treat to enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio.
To unwind after a busy day, head to the Half Note Lounge, just off the lobby. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday, 4-11 p.m. Warm and inviting, the lounge’s walls are hung with colorful paintings of jazz performers. Grab a seat by the baby grand piano in one corner or take a load off on one of the high stools around the bar.
As well as drinks, the lounge offers appetizers, sandwiches and salads. If you really want to get in the groove, the room comes alive with entertainers Friday and Saturday nights.
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Guest rooms are spacious and accommodating. The brand’s plush, signature bedding helps to ensure a good night’s sleep. Need to do some updates on your laptop? The comfortable work desks feature Herman Miller ergonomic chairs.
The rooms also have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and microwaves. Some suites offer gas fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and sitting areas with sofa beds. Bathrooms are compact but attractive with granite countertops and standard shower/tub fixtures.
There’s a 24-hour business center in case you need to print out your boarding pass. And meeting space and a grand ballroom for gala events is also available.
You can park for a fee, plus there’s a car rental desk if you need to rent a vehicle. Dry cleaning services, an ATM, room service, and a 24-hour front desk can meet many last-minute needs.
Many visitors who stay at the George Washington A Wyndham Grand Hotel are drawn to the Winchester area for its bucolic landscape, history, and annual Apple Blossom Festival. The 10-day celebration draws more than 100,000 people who take part in around 40 events every spring.
People who want to learn about the area’s past enjoy the city’s Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. The same property also has the 1790s Glen Burnie House, and landscaped gardens. And it’s just over a mile away from the hotel.
For Civil War buffs, Old Town Winchester is home to Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum. And for country music fans, no visit to the area is complete without a stop at the Patsy Cline Historic House where the legendary singer lived from 1948 to 1953.
Winchester has a lot to offer visitors. The George Washington A Wyndham Grand Hotel is the ideal spot to make your home base as you explore this historic region.
Rates start at around $160 for a Queen, King, or Two Double beds. Junior suites start at $250 per night. You can check Booking.com or Expedia to look for a better rate.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Virginia Tourism arranged her stay, supporting research for other features. The opinions expressed are her own.
