From the moment its doors opened in 1895 The Jefferson Hotel has been regarded as one of America’s finest by countless distinguished guests, including 12 United States Presidents, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and Elvis Presley. The famous and not-so-famous return repeatedly to enjoy the hotel’s splendid architecture, luxurious guestrooms, and genuine, friendly service. In fact, The Jefferson is just one of 38 hotels and resorts in the country to be awarded both the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star awards for 2011.
The historic Jefferson Hotel offers 262 elegant rooms and suites and an ideal location in the heart of downtown Richmond less than an hour’s drive from dozens of wineries in Williamsburg and along the Monticello Wine Trail. There are shops and fine restaurants near the hotel but, for at least one evening during their stay, most guests are inclined to stay in and dine at the renowned Lemaire Restaurant.
Named in honor of Thomas Jefferson’s White House maître d’hôtel, who introduced Americans to the art of cooking with wine, Lemaire was renovated two years ago. Under the culinary direction of Richmond native Chef Walter Bundy, the new Lemaire offers a menu inspired by a farm-totable philosophy and the rich bounty of Virginia. The menu is creatively designed to allow guests to order anything from small plates, to full entrees that can be paired with any number of courses or ordered alone. Wine lovers are delighted with the wine list which includes approximately 150 selections—many of which can be ordered by the glass, half-bottle, or quartino. And each spring and fall Chef Bundy creates a wine dinner that celebrates Gold Medal-winning Virginia wines.
After an innovative dining experience at Lemaire, satiated hotel guests can linger in the hotel’s sumptuous rotunda area, admire the lobby’s stunning staircase, or retire to their room to enjoy its many comforts, including plush robes and 24-hour room service—everything one needs to feel like one of The Jefferson Hotel’s most distinguished and pampered guests.