Built in 1912, Keswick Hall is a Georgian-Italianate Styled Villa that now serves as a serene getaway just a short drive from the heart of Charlottesville. After a several-phase renovation that was completed in the fall of 2021, the updated resort offers nearly twice the number of rooms, multiple settings for food and drinks, an award-winning golf course, two pools, athletic courts, upscale rooms and suites, and top-tier amenities.
Stay
With 88 rooms to choose from, there are a variety of options suitable for solo travelers, couples, and families, all with stunning views of the 600-acre property. Each guest room features Duxiana mattresses fitted with 600 thread-count Frette linens and custom bath amenities by red flower.
The calming light blue and white interior of the hotel was the vision of owner Molly Hardie, and no trip is complete without a stroll down the Grand Staircase. Carefully curated artwork on the walls is sourced from a variety of artists, including Anne Blackwell Thompson, whose hand-pressed foliage is featured throughout the hotel as a tribute to the natural beauty of the Virginia landscape and surroundings. There are multiple places throughout the hotel for guests to relax, unwind, and enjoy the landscape, including the Garden Room, which offers a sprawling view of the Full Cry golf course.
Full Cry Golf Course
This award-winning Pete Dye-designed golf course offers a challenge to players against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains while Bald Eagles swoop in to fish in the pond. Open to members as well as guests of the hotel, the course sports two grasses -- Bermuda and fescue -- for clarity of contrast. Meanwhile, artistry abounds in the form of railroad ties, sand traps, and planks for texture. “If you play golf overseas, you’d see similarities,” said Club Manager Rob McNamara. “There are a lot of holes that remind you of Scotland.”
Athletics and Relaxation
Tennis enthusiasts will appreciate the European Red Clay surfaces on Keswick Hall’s courts as well as the ability to play at night, thanks to the top-notch lighting. Pickleball and basketball courts are available as well. Or, simply jog or stroll along the paths on the property and enjoy the work of Landscape Architect Yara Acker, who has meticulously planned the outdoor spaces for decades.
Two pools are available for swimming (or relaxing), too. At the pavilion, a large members-only pool is adjacent to an indoor and outdoor area that’s frequently used for events like winemaker dinners or the annual 4th of July gathering. At the hotel, guests can enjoy stunning views from the adult-only Horizon Pool that is heated to 84 degrees year-round.
For guests looking for a particularly peaceful afternoon, Keswick Hall’s spa is the ideal destination. It offers a comprehensive menu of hair, nail, face, and body treatments along with added amenities that include a eucalyptus shower, sauna, and a relaxation room where guests can unwind with complementary small snacks and infused waters.
Dining and Drinks
Adjacent to the Horizon Pool is Crawford’s, named for the original owners of Keswick Hall. The elegant spot offers bar seats and tables and serves wine and beer as well as inventive cocktails and mocktails. A menu of small plates, entrees, and shareable items is available, too.
A meal at Marigold by Jean-Georges is a can’t-miss at Keswick Hall, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Settle in indoors, or reserve a table on the deck with views of 10 out of the 18 holes on Full Cry.
The seasonal menu at Marigold includes raw options like sashimi and tuna tartare, appetizers like burrata with a strawberry compote, an array of plant-based options, and exquisitely prepared entrees including seared scallops with roasted cauliflower, avocado, and espelette, and beef tenderloin with spring vegetables and salsa verde. The beer and wine lists offer options to complement any meal, or guests can order from the well-stocked bar. Anyone looking to punctuate a meal with something sweet can enjoy desserts that lean toward the lighter side, like sorbet, or reach for something richer, like a salted caramel ice cream sundae or molten chocolate cake.
Additional Amenities at Keswick Hall
In addition to all of the offerings Keswick Hall has for guests, they’ve also formed partnerships to further elevate the experience. In collaboration with BMW of America, the resort is offering vehicles for guests to test drive with flexible times, potentially up to an entire day. Plus, one BMW is set aside as a chauffeur vehicle.
Additionally, Keswick Hall has partnered with King Family Vineyard for a one-of-a-kind Sunday polo experience. Guests who are staying for the weekend can extend their visit through Sunday night at a discounted rate and attend a day-long polo event at the vineyard. Guests can enjoy wine and access to Keswick Hall’s exclusive midline tent in addition to chauffeured service to and from the VIP-style event.
Keswick Hall stands as one of the best surviving examples of Italianate-style architecture in Virginia today. One of the first examples of Renaissance Revival-style architecture, Italianate design principles themselves are some of the most historic ever used in the United States. Keswick Hall has influences of both Renaissance Revival & Palladianism.
“If you play golf overseas, you’d see similarities,” said Club Manager Rob McNamara. “There are a lot of holes that remind you of Scotland.”