Limo Service in Charlottesville, IN

This college town may be small, but Charlottesville, Virginia, is dense with hidden-gem restaurants, Blue Ridge trails, and historical sites.

If you haven't already met, may we introduce you to Charlottesville, Virginia? We don't mind sounding like a proud parent as we tally this small town's accolades. With 500-plus miles of Blue Ridge trails, it's a hiker's paradise, and for those who prefer watching others play, there are the NCAA championship-winning Virginia Cavaliers to cheer on. Your palate will be pleased to discover a restaurant-per-capita density that rivals major cities like New York City and San Francisco. It's no wonder college students and tourists flock here—and locals are in no hurry to leave: You'll find all three groups mingling at hidden-gem restaurants or drinking pints of Bold Rock cider as they watch the sun dip beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Not far from the city, there's Monticello to tour, as well as the stunning University of Virginia, which is within walking distance of downtown. And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the array of wineries, breweries, and cideries in the area. Even with its fast-paced growth, this city maintains its small-town spirit (and amazing bagels), so please add Charlottesville to your bucket list ASAP—and make sure you check out these spots along the way.

Springtime Is the Perfect Season to Visit Charlottesville, Virginia

01 of 10

Visit Monticello

Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello is only a 15-minute drive away from downtown Charlottesville and the University of Virginia campus. Tailor your visit to your interests with one of several tours of the 19th-century plantation, including an educational tour about enslaved people at Monticello. With a wide variety of trees and flora, the impeccable grounds are a must-see for any garden aficionado.

www.monticello.org, 1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, VA 22902

02 of 10

Eat at Bodo's Bagels

Bodo's Bagels is a beloved Charlottesville institution with three locations around town. The bagels are made from scratch daily on-site, and you can customize your New York-style bagel sandwich any way you like (don't skip the cream cheese!). On busy weekend mornings, expect the line at Bodo's on the Corner to snake out the door, so venture to the Preston Avenue or Emmet Street locations to avoid the crowd.

www.bodosbagels.com, 1418 Emmet St N, Charlottesville, VA 22903 (multiple)

03 of 10

Take a Historical Tour of the University

Student tour guides provide a glimpse into the rich, complex history of Thomas Jefferson's school during the University Guide Service's free daily historical tours. Each tour is unique, with topics ranging from the architecture of the Lawn to slavery at the university. Prime stops include the stunning Rotunda, designed by Jefferson in homage to the Pantheon, and the Academical Village, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

04 of 10

Hike the Blue Ridge Mountains

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers easy access to some of the best hiking trails and views in Virginia. The nearby Shenandoah National Park offers over 500 miles of trails, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Experienced hikers can embark on the all-day adventure of Old Rag Mountain, the park's most popular (and most strenuous) trail. Complete with precipitous rock scrambles and incredible summit views, Old Rag is worth the exertion.

05 of 10

Brunch at MarieBette Café and Bakery

If Charlottesville were the kind of place that brags (which it isn't), it'd definitely be boasting about its brunch. The cult favorite for late-morning eats is MarieBette Café and Bakery, a European-inspired spot with fresh-baked bread, on-the-go coffee and pastries, and a light sit-down brunch menu. If you can snag a table at MarieBette (there's normally a thirty-plus-minute wait), try their baked eggs, or if you're in a rush, order a sourdough breakfast sandwich at the counter. Other delicious weekend brunch spots include Tip Top Restaurant, which serves breakfast all day, and Tavern and Grocery, located in a building that once housed a grocery-slash-tavern owned by freed people who'd once been enslaved.

06 of 10

Wine and Dine Along the Monticello Wine Trail

The Monticello Wine Trail includes 40 wineries, all within driving distance from central Charlottesville. Make sure to download the trail's mobile passport to scan at each of the region's many memorable spots. If you're looking for a full-service experience, visit Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, where the seasonal, locally-grown food pairs beautifully with their signature Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Cabernet Franc. If you're looking for a more laid-back option, grab goodies from artisan market Feast! and head to King Family Vineyards, where you can enjoy your picnic spread with a bottle of their blush-pink Crosé.

07 of 10

Drink Virginia Cider

When in Virginia, make like the locals and swap out that pint of beer for a glass of cider. Since Virginia is known for its hard cider, visiting a local cidery, like Bold Rock Cidery & Taproom or Castle Hill Cider, is a must. Settle in for the afternoon, taste a few seasonal flavors, and learn more about the production process.

08 of 10

Visit the Art Museums

Peruse the Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia to take in its extensive permanent collection or latest exhibitions. (Be sure to chat with one of the student docents for more info.) Also at UVA, the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection is the only museum in the United States completely dedicated to Indigenous Australian art. Admission to both museums is free.

09 of 10

Eat on the Corner

For more casual dining options, check out the Corner, a strip of shops and restaurants adjacent to UVA's Grounds. The Virginian, Charlottesville's oldest restaurant (founded in 1923), is a favorite amongst students and tourists alike—a status no doubt related to its Stumble Down Mac N' Cheese. This delicious twist on a classic is slightly spicy, wonderfully creamy, and topped with a crispy cheddar potato cake. Or check out Boylan Heights, a prep-school-inspired sports bar with custom burgers, curly fries, and local beer and cider on draft.

10 of 10

Explore the Downtown Mall

Spend an afternoon wandering around Charlottesville's Downtown Mall, a foot-traffic-friendly historic area packed with restaurants, stores, and coffee shops. Browse the old bookstores—New Dominion Bookshop, Blue Whale Books, and the three-story book lover's wonderland, Daedalus Books—and on Saturday mornings during the warm months, swing by the Charlottesville City Market. You won't know what to try first with the wide variety of fresh produce, local cheese, and other food vendors.

Despite receiving funding from both the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, the next phase of the Premier Circle low-cost housing project is delayed once more.

Virginia Supportive Housing won’t be able to start building its 80 units of permanent supportive housing until summer, said Julie Anderson, director of real estate development at VSH, a nonprofit developer that provides affordable housing and on-site case management services to residents.

The project plans to provide not just apartments, but wraparound social services for some of the poorest people in the community, including many who have been experiencing homelessness. Its goal is to “functionally end chronic homelessness” in the Charlottesville area, according to the VSH website.

Originally, construction on the project was supposed to start in spring 2023, but it stalled after a pre-construction estimate from Charlottesville-based contractor Martin Horn Inc. came in at $24 million, $3.6 million over budget. There were extraordinary increases in construction and materials costs since the project was first planned in 2021 for $20.4 million, Anderson said.

It took VSH nearly a year to close the $3.6 million funding gap with a variety of sources, including taxpayer money from Congressionally-Directed funds, and private funding from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, the Anne Mullen Orrell Charitable Trust, The Perry Foundation, and others.

Just last month, Charlottesville City Council and Albemarle County’s Board of Supervisors voted to contribute $750,000 and $700,000, respectively — that’s $1.5 million total — to help the $27.6 million project finally get off the ground.

Most of the project is being funded via the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program (usually called LIHTC, pronounced “lie-tech”), a federal program that awards tax credits to the developer of a housing project. The developer can then sell those tax credits to investors in exchange for money to help fund the project.

But the increased funding might still not be enough. VSH is waiting on yet another new construction estimate, and it’s possible the cost will be even higher now.

“We probably won’t have accurate new budget numbers until April,” said Anderson. “Martin Horn is rebidding the project with their subcontractors, and it can be a lengthy process.”

If needed, VSH will apply for additional Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding for the project, said Anderson. And In the meantime, VSH is still waiting on site plan approval from Albemarle County, as well as the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which will help subsidize the apartments’ rents via housing vouchers.

Right now, VSH anticipates an August 2024 construction start date. Local officials are eager for the project to get underway, too — they say they funded the project because of the positive effects they hope it will have in the community.

Residents of permanent supportive housing, most often single adults who have been chronically homeless, sign a lease and stay as long as they need to. They live independently, but have access to an on-site case worker, someone who can help them with “anything that may have led them to homelessness to begin with,” said Anderson.

A case worker can help someone get their documentation back together, apply for Social Security and disability benefits, reconnect with family, find resources for food and groceries, compile a resume and apply for jobs. They can also help connect residents with substance abuse and mental health services.

VSH is particularly good at that, said Kaki Dimock, Chief Human Services Officer for Albemarle County, who brought the funding request to the Board of Supervisors. Dimock has worked in homeless services in the community, including as executive director of The Haven, a day shelter, when it opened in 2010.

“Virginia Supportive Housing is the best practice institution in the state of Virginia, particularly in the area of permanent supportive housing,” Dimock told Charlottesville Tomorrow. Its other permanent supportive housing project in Charlottesville, The Crossings at Fourth and Preston, “had a really transformative impact on the homelessness continuum of care” in the area, she said.

After The Crossings opened in March 2012, it cut the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness by half in just two years, Anthony Haro, former director of the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless, said in a presentation to City Council in May 2022. That decrease was a direct result of The Crossings, he said.

But more people have become homeless since, Haro said. For that reason, local officials say there is a need for another project like this.

City Council will vote Monday on purchasing land in Belmont for possible homeless shelter, affordable housing development

February 2, 2024

Charlottesville had — and lost — a shelter that social workers say could have helped hundreds of unhoused people off the streets

October 11, 2023

After dodging questions for more than a year, Midway Manor owners confirms affordability and that renovations are starting

August 29, 2023

The federal government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers someone to be chronically homeless when that person has a disability and has been living somewhere not meant for human habitation — like under a porch, in a shed, in a tent by the river — for at least 12 continuous months, or 12 total months over the course of three years.

In its first year of operation, The Crossings successfully housed 68 individuals, 40 of whom previously lived on the street, according to HUD. What’s more, 90% of Crossings residents who had been homeless have not returned to homelessness, and individual incomes have risen by an average of 47%.

“We anticipate the Virginia Supportive Housing project at Premier Circle will have a similar impact,” said Dimock, and that’s part of why county supervisors chose to help fund it.

In addition to its recent $700,000 contribution, Albemarle County supported the multi-phase project early on, with $2.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act money, which was federal taxpayer money given out during the pandemic to help with problems related to COVID-19 and to bolster the economy. So it’s in the county’s best interest that it continue to move forward, Dimock added.

It’s in the city’s, too, said Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders, who brought the funding request to the City Council for approval. The city’s contribution is part of Sanders’ action plan for addressing homelessness, something he introduced to Council and the community in the fall.

“We have to do everything in our power to ensure that everyone should have a roof over their heads,” Sanders told Charlottesville Tomorrow. “That is where you start your day and end your day, and it’s hard to accept the idea that someone is sleeping outside. It is important for me to believe that if I can at least provide that, then I have the beginning of a place to work with people with whatever issues that they may be facing.”

Virginia Supportive Housing has wanted to do another version of The Crossings in the area for a while. It was looking to build The Crossings II at 405 Avon St. and 405 Levy Ave., a site the city is now considering for a potential shelter and supportive housing project. (City Council is set to vote on whether to purchase the property Tuesday night.) But that project stalled for a variety of reasons, including zoning restrictions, The Daily Progress reported in Feb. 2020.

Charlottesville had — and lost — a shelter that social workers say could have helped hundreds of unhoused people off the streets

October 11, 2023

Charlottesville’s only homeless shelter for elderly and seriously ill people is about to close, but construction of the housing that will go up in its place has been postponed

March 13, 2023

When this Charlottesville shelter closes next year, its 100 elderly and seriously ill guests might have nowhere to go

June 7, 2022

Area nonprofits resort to buying a hotel to address local housing and homelessness crisis

April 19, 2021

Former mayor Dave Norris, who was Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s redevelopment coordinator at the time, told the Progress that timing was another reason the Crossings II never happened. The city gave VSH a timeline for when it had to use the money, and when VSH couldn’t get the project off the ground, the project was later nixed and money was returned to funders, including the city. Anderson sees Premier Circle as essentially The Crossings II, just in a different location.

Once the VSH portion of the Premier Circle project is done, its operational costs will be paid by revenue from rents, which will be mostly subsidized by HUD’s housing voucher program.

And when that building is done, nonprofit housing organization Piedmont Housing Alliance can start on its part: building dozens of apartments affordable to families with low incomes. Like the VSH project, PHA will apply for LIHTC funding, and will accept housing vouchers.

The first phase of the project — an overnight shelter for seniors and people with disabilities — opened in May 2021. It closed June 30, 2023, so that the existing buildings could be demolished to make way for the supportive housing and low-cost apartment buildings.

Right now, VSH is looking at an August 2024 construction start date, said Anderson. Construction will take about a year and a half, putting the projected finish date sometime in the first half of 2026, and move-in dates shortly after that.

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Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024

This year, The Salvation Army in Charlottesville announced it would open a “hygiene closet” filled mainly with free soaps and toiletries. The group had noticed that many of the folks it serves who are exiting homelessness are struggling to afford these items. Household supplies and toiletries are rarely donated to food pantries. And most of the places that offer them free have only travel-sized items meant for people experiencing homelessness.

This is one of many such efforts underway in Charlottesville to meet a still growing need for help. Across the board, organizations in this area report that poverty is increasing and more people are trying to access services.

In the most severe cases, the number of people experiencing homelessness here rose sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic. We know this because each year the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless conducts a “point-in-time” count of unhoused people on a single night in January. They’re not exact, but they try to reach all people living outside and in shelters.

The group has not yet released the 2023 numbers. In 2022, 266 people in the Charlottesville area — that includes the city, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, Greene and Nelson counties — were experiencing homelessness. That’s up from 177 in 2021. It’s the highest number since 2010, according to the coalition.

Charlottesville got an up-close look at the problem last fall when City Manager Sam Sanders temporarily lifted the curfew at Market Street Park. Almost overnight, the small greenspace just off the Downtown Mall filled with dozens of tents.

Sanders reinstated the curfew in a month. But he also vowed to make addressing homelessness a priority. One of the ways he would do this, he said, was to look at adding more shelter space.

Last night, Charlottesville City Council took a possible step toward that goal. The Council voted to buy a property in the Belmont neighborhood and explore the possibility of building a homeless shelter on it. You can read about the vote in this NBC29 report.

For more background on the city’s plan, check out our report from last week:

But it’s not just unhoused folks who are experiencing difficulties right now. Since the pandemic, the number of people accessing free food from area soup kitchens and pantries has also risen sharply.

We don’t know exactly how many people are accessing these services. There are at least 10 separate food pantries in Charlottesville and just outside it in Albemarle County, and more across central Virginia. (You can search for the ones nearest you using this map maintained by the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.)

But the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, which provides food to many of these organizations, maintains records that show the trend. Basically, the number of meals the organization provided rose sharply between 2019 and 2021. It briefly fell between 2021 and 2022, then rose even more between 2022 and 2023.

I’ve made a small table based on the data from the food bank’s annual reports so you can see:

The sharp rise last year might have been caused by a change in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rules. (That’s SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.)

But as more people experience poverty, they’re needing more than just food and shelter. And that brings us back to The Salvation Army’s new hygiene closet. This is one of a couple places that offers such supplies. Last year, the Chris Long Foundation saw the need among students at Charlottesville City Schools and opened “EdZone Closets” in each of the schools. The foundation is a non-profit started by Chris Long, who was raised in Charlottesville and is a former National Football League player.

There is also another organization called Love INC that provides toiletries and household items at a couple churches. Folks have to fill out a form online, then they’ll be connected to a church if it has the items they need.

The Salvation Army’s closet is set to open March 1 — but the group needs more supplies. Specifically, organizers are looking for: baby diapers, baby formula, baby lotion, baby wipes, baby and adult shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, body soap, dish soap or laundry detergent. You can also donate money, either in person at the store at 207 Ridge Street, or online. Just leave a note that it’s for the hygiene closet.

Thanks for reading, everyone,Jessie Higgins, managing editor

More local news

February 2, 2024

February 2, 2024

The University of Virginia, in partnership with Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, today released a report from the Community Safety Working Group, a collaboration tasked with identifying ways to improve community well-being and decrease gun violence in the Charlottesville area.

Convened in March, the Community Safety Working Group comprises 21 members of the greater Charlottesville community, including representatives from the ranks of UVA faculty, staff and students; UVA Health; Albemarle County; the City of Charlottesville; and local organizations, churches and groups.

The Community Safety Working Group is one of six working groups within the President’s Council on UVA-Community Partnerships. Established in 2019, the council examines how the University can partner with the community to address areas of importance while strengthening its relationship with the surrounding community. Other working groups include affordable housing, local economy, pipelines and pathways, early childhood education, and public health. Each includes a combination of community and University leaders.

Since its inception, the Community Safety Working Group has been developing goals and recommendations for solutions to community safety challenges in the area. Through meetings, community focus groups and interviews, and input from local experts, the working group has identified trends in local safety disruption, mental health needs, resource accessibility, and existing access to community resources.

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“The Community Safety Working Group took up their charge during a difficult time, with violence hitting close to home on Grounds and in our community,” UVA President Jim Ryan said. “Their comprehensive recommendations provide tangible steps toward a safe, thriving community, and I look forward to working with our partners to implement their proposed actions. I’m grateful to leaders in Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, and to the members of the working group, who all contributed their time, expertise and perspective to make sure that our community remains a safe place to live, work and learn.”

“Collaborating with our partners in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and other facets of the surrounding community on this project is an important part of being good neighbors and committing to the safety of everyone who lives, works and studies in the region,” Claudia Allen, co-chair of the Community Safety Working Group, said. “We’re grateful for the partnership of the working group members, as well as our counterparts within the other arms of the President’s Council on UVA-Community Partnerships, in recommending thoughtful, attainable solutions that will benefit us all and bolster our already thriving community.”

Recommendations in the report were nested under four key goals: creating protective community environments; enhancing place-based programming and access to care; improving coordination and information flow among community members, service providers, schools and law enforcement; and connecting youth to caring adults and activities.

“A huge thank you to the Community Safety Working Group for supporting the initiatives the city already has underway and for coming together to form new ideas to keep our great city safe,” Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders said. “I enjoy seeing the city, the county and UVA collaborating on important projects like these. We’re better and stronger together.”

“The Community Safety Working Group members diligently and collaboratively worked to prioritize this important effort and not only identified ways to amplify existing resources, but also developed the necessary steps to implement recommendations,” Albemarle County Executive Jeff Richardson said. “I want to thank these individuals for their dedication to fostering a connected and safe community.”

In addition to the four goals and their accompanying recommendations, the report also detailed areas where goals can overlap with ongoing efforts and themes being explored by the other five working groups within the President’s Council on UVA-Community Partnerships.

“This dynamic Community Safety Working Group partnership between local government, the University and community advocates is exactly what the President's Council seeks to foster,” Cristine Nardi, co-chair of the President’s Council on UVA-Community Partnerships, said. “The more we do this work together, the more we see the intersectionality across all of the issues we seek to tackle – from affordable housing to workforce development to public health access to early childhood education to community safety – and the more we understand the assets and strengths we collectively bring to the critical project of stewarding a region where everyone can thrive.”

Implementation has already begun on several of the recommendations in the report, with a smaller implementation group of key stakeholders convening to identify immediate actions and existing programs. The working group proposed an implementation timeline for the remaining recommendations in a phased approach, with most within reach over the next 18 months. Medium- and long-term goals involving the formulation of crisis response teams and broadly analyzing and expanding existing programs and resources would be implemented over the next three to six years.

The full report is available on the working group’s web page.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle Collection, announced the name of its first on-campus hotel, The Forum Hotel at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in Charlottesville, and the appointment of its leader, General Manager Kelly Brown. Set to open in spring 2023 on the Goodwin Family Grounds of the Darden School, The Forum Hotel will reflect the vibrant atmosphere and purpose-driven culture of the Darden community by creating a dynamic meeting place for students, alumni, faculty and guests. The Forum is now taking reservations on its website for the summer season, with dates of stay as early as 1 July 2023 currently available.

The Forum Hotel will fully embrace the meaning of its moniker to become a place that offers opportunities to connect, reflect and learn together throughout the boutique property. Situated on the Grounds of the Darden School of Business and anchored by a magnificent five-acre arboretum and botanical gardens, the hotel will be home to thematic gardens, a pond, a restored stream and walking trails that connect Darden to the UVA School of Law, Rivanna Trail, and the greater University and Charlottesville area. From well-suited interiors, personalized guest service, robust food and beverage programming, and breath-taking indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces — every detail is designed to encourage heartfelt connections within the community.

"Every detail is designed to encourage heartfelt connections within the community."

The unique collaboration between Kimpton, the UVA Darden School, the UVA Darden School Foundation and the generous donations of many philanthropists will make the vision of a completely reimagined boutique hotel and restaurant experience on the Grounds of the Darden School a reality. Lead donor Frank M. Sands Sr. (MBA ’63) provided seed money as part of his transformational gift to Darden in 2019 — the largest in School history. Principal founding sponsors of the hotel, arboretum and botanical gardens include Martina Hund-Mejean (MBA ’88), board chair of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees; the Altec/Styslinger Foundation; David M. (MBA ’78) and Kathleen O. LaCross, who are naming the botanical gardens; George Tahija (MBA ’86); Dick Crawford (MBA ’74); the Hugin Family; Steven C. Voorhees (MBA ’80); and Donald E. Morel, Jr. Ph.D. (TEP ’97).

The Forum will stand as a five-story, new-build hotel featuring 198 sophisticated guest rooms, 10 suites with sweeping views, and more than 11,500 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting spaces and classrooms, perfect for celebrations, corporate conferences, and educational gatherings of every sort. Further enhancing the guest experience, The Forum will offer all of Kimpton’s beloved perks, including morning coffee and tea service, evening social hour, “Forgot It? We’ve Got It!” program, in-room yoga mats, on-site fitness center, complimentary bicycles and pet-friendly policies. Anchoring the property with a true convivial spirit and a deeply connected gathering experience will be two unique restaurant and bar concepts that will embrace the bounty of the mid-Atlantic region — a lively taproom and a ground-level restaurant with a large outdoor terrace. Complementing these will be a well-appointed wine cellar, available for meetings and private dinners. Those seeking new venues for board meetings and special celebrations will also find ample inspiration in the hotel’s 6,000+ square-foot ballroom, with the capacity to host a 425-person seated reception, and a similarly sized adjacent event lawn.

"We are confident Charlottesville will embrace our sophisticated hotel, offering flexible spaces for the community to relax, focus and collaborate."

General Manager Kelly Brown

To lead the team, Kimpton tapped seasoned hospitality professional and Kimpton alumna Kelly Brown as its general manager. A 16-year hospitality veteran, Kelly began her career with Kimpton, holding managerial roles at its properties in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. She rose through the ranks at the boutique hospitality company to her most recent post as the general manager at the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There she was awarded by the local Chamber of Commerce with an annual leadership award for her leadership on the property and in her community involvement. Now relocated to Charlottesville and settling into her new role, Kelly will lead the team at The Forum and oversee all aspects of the hotel’s opening and operations.

“We are so eager to open the doors to The Forum Hotel next spring,” said Brown. “We are confident Charlottesville will embrace our sophisticated hotel, offering flexible spaces for the community to relax, focus and collaborate. My team is already working hard on making The Forum one of the most exciting places in the city to stay, connect and celebrate.”

The Forum will be Charlottesville’s first Kimpton, joining Hotel Monaco in Baltimore, The George Hotel, The Banneker Hotel and Hotel Monaco in Washington, D.C., as Kimpton’s fifth boutique hotel in the mid-Atlantic region. For more information, visit forumhotelcharlottesville.com.

About Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is a leading collection of boutique hotels and restaurants and the acknowledged industry pioneer that first introduced the boutique hotel concept to the United States. In 1981, Bill Kimpton founded the company that today is renowned for making travelers feel genuinely cared for through thoughtful perks and amenities, bold, playful design, and a sincerely personal style of guest service. Kimpton is consistently ranked as one of the top companies in the Market Metrix Hospitality Index, Upper Upscale Segment, for Customer Satisfaction. The company is highly regarded for its innovative employee culture and benefits and has been named a FORTUNE magazine “Best Place to Work” seven times annually since 2009. Kimpton is continuously growing and currently operates over 60 hotels and 70 plus restaurants, bars, and lounges in 32 U.S. cities. In January 2015, Kimpton was welcomed into the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) family of hotel brands, bringing together two special cultures and sets of values to create the world’s largest boutique hotel business. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com.

About the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation

The University of Virginia Darden School Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the Darden School of Business by promoting philanthropic support from alumni, friends and corporations; managing endowment funds for the School’s exclusive benefit; and operating Darden’s top-ranked Executive Education & Lifelong Learning programs, The Forum Hotel and hospitality offerings on the Darden Grounds. Darden’s elected board of trustees oversees the Foundation’s strategies and gives time and advice, providing an essential link between the academic and business communities. For more information, visit www.darden.virginia.edu/foundation.

About the University of Virginia Darden School of Business

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business prepares responsible global leaders through unparalleled transformational learning experiences. Darden’s graduate degree programs (MBA, MSBA and Ph.D.) and Executive Education & Lifelong Learning programs offered by the Darden School Foundation set the stage for a lifetime of career advancement and impact. Darden’s top-ranked faculty, renowned for teaching excellence, inspires and shapes modern business leadership worldwide through research, thought leadership and business publishing. Darden has Grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C., area and a global community that includes 18,000 alumni in 90 countries. Darden was established in 1955 at the University of Virginia, a top public university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Press Contact

Molly Mitchell Associate Director of Content Marketing and Social Media Darden School of Business University of Virginia MitchellM@darden.virginia.edu