Over Thanksgiving, we had the opportunity to stay in Lynchburg, VA, a historic town nestled near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The old-timey charms of the downtown, paired with the plethora of outdoor activities, made it the perfect place for us to relax during a long weekend.
One of the things I quickly noticed about the area was that Airbnbs in historic homes were widely available, providing plenty of unique places to stay. However, one in particular stuck out to me as I scoped the many listings: a renovated carriage house on Rivermont Ave.
Drawn in by the cozy exterior, unique décor, and ideal location, we decided to book this charming carriage house for our annual Thanksgiving getaway. It ended up being absolutely perfect for our little family, including our corgi, Atlas.
If you’re looking for a chic couple’s getaway in the Lynchburg, Virginia, area, keep reading to learn more about this hidden gem!
Perfect Location
Although it’s not always my top priority, I prefer accommodations that are near the activities we want to do. In this case, downtown Lynchburg. In addition to having a beautiful old downtown area with lots of boutiques, antique stores, and a farmer’s market, Lynchburg is surrounded by natural areas that sit directly against the town’s borders. There are also several historic districts with impressive (if not a bit timeworn) mansions, plus plenty of great local eateries.
We wanted to stay relatively near all of this, so the Airbnb’s location on Rivermont St. was absolutely perfect. It took us 10 minutes or less to reach everything we wanted to do, which kept the time frame and stress levels down.
The only thing we had to drive any length of time for was the Peaks of Otter, which was well worth it. We spent one afternoon driving along the Blue Ridge Mountains and taking a waterfall hike about 50 minutes away. Even this was highly manageable for our long weekend itinerary.
Clean and Unique Interior
I love finding one-of-a-kind stays. And while this certainly isn’t the only renovated carriage house in existence, it was full of unique touches.
For example, many of the decorations and furniture were clearly antiques or refurbished items, which created a fun, quirky interior style. The owners loved layering colors, patterns, and textures throughout the home, so the whole place had a very artistic vibe. They also made great use of stained-glass stickers, which sent strategically-placed rainbows cascading over the walls.
Something I particularly loved was the framed blueprints of the carriage house, which showed the original layout next to the renovation plans. This was a simple touch, but it was a fun idea to tie that piece of history into the interior decorations.
Additionally, the home was super-clean, which made it easy to feel right at home. It’s a dog-friendly listing, but animals aren’t allowed on the beds or furniture to keep the fur down. Unfortunately, you never know what the cleanliness level will be like until you’re actually there in person, but the carriage house was spotless, from the kitchen to the bathrooms.
Thoughtful Touches
Hospitality skills are key in turning an Airbnb into an experience, so I’m always on the lookout for things that set one particular place apart from the others. Something that really stood out to me was all the thoughtful touches that greeted us on arrival.
For example, a giant dog biscuit, water bowls, and a basket of toys were waiting for Atlas in the kitchen. In the bedroom upstairs, jewelry dishes held earplugs for guests with noisy partners, and the closet had plenty of extra blankets. Containers in the bathroom were also set out with complimentary toiletry items, including toothbrushes. I was impressed with how many little things they paid attention to throughout the home.
The week we were set to arrive, the owners intended to replace the A/C and heating units as well. However, they ran into an issue, and the new ones didn’t work. To solve the issue, they immediately went out and bought two space heaters (one for each level) to make sure the guests that week were warm. They could’ve gotten any old units, but instead, they chose a fireplace-style unit for downstairs, and the one upstairs looked like a stack of logs, which glowed like a fire. They added such a fun ambiance to the space, in addition to providing some cozy warmth for the cold November days.
Fully-Stocked Kitchen
Our weekend plans included plenty of time relaxing inside, so a stocked kitchen was important for us. In addition to being surprisingly roomy, the kitchen had everything we needed to prepare simple meals. But we definitely could have gone all out, thanks to the many pots, cooking utensils, cutting boards, and knives at our disposal.
They also had coffee, creamer, and some condiments loaded into the fridge if we needed them, which was another touch I appreciated.
Super-Comfy Beds and Couch
While I love a unique stay, the most important thing for me is that I can actually sleep well while I’m there. That was not a problem at the carriage house because the bed was incredibly comfortable! We had a number of pillows to choose from (with extra pillowcases provided in case we wanted to use a decorative pillow), plenty of blankets, and a mattress that felt like a cloud! I had no problem drifting off to sleep on any of our 3 nights, which isn’t always the case when we stay away from home.
I also appreciated their cushy couch, which had more than enough space for us to stretch out, and still felt comfortable after long nights of video games and binge-watching the entirety of The Rings of Power.
Welcoming Outdoor Space
Right outside the blue front doors of the carriage house, we had access to a small but well-kept outdoor area. It was incredibly convenient since we had Atlas with us, but would have been enjoyable regardless. The yard went behind and around the building and had a nice mix of little gardens, seating areas, and green space. If the weather had been warmer, I think we definitely would have spent some time sitting outside and enjoying the neighborhood with mugs of coffee in hand.
Convenient Features
Although the house is historic, they didn’t skimp on modern conveniences. The home had keypad locks, Wi-Fi, two TVs hooked up to the internet, and all standard kitchen appliances.
Affordable Pricing
Finally, the Carriage House was more than reasonably priced, even with Atlas in tow! Sometimes you get hit with hefty fees for pets on Airbnb, but we didn’t have to pay anything for Atlas unless he destroyed something or we ignored the rules and let him on the furniture. Thankfully, he was a good boy, so we only had to pay for the nightly rate, booking fee, and standard cleaning fee.
This meant that our entire stay cost under $600 for 3 nights, which I felt was a great deal for such a fun space!
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Closing Thoughts
Despite the carriage house being “cozy,” we never felt cramped during the long nights and relaxing mornings. The layout made ideal use of the space, so each area felt spacious, even if it wasn’t actually huge.
We had plenty of room to play video games (including movement games with our Switch), do some indoor fetch with Atlas, and work around each other in the kitchen. It really was perfect for a relaxing weekend in a warm and welcoming environment.
If you’re headed to Lynchburg anytime soon, be sure to check out this adorable Airbnb and reserve your stay! I would gladly stay there again to enjoy the town and the unique carriage house in the future.
Feel free to drop any questions in the comment section below! I know each person cares about different things during their holiday stay, so I’d be happy to clarify anything I didn’t specifically mention already.
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Stay tuned for more information about Lynchburg, Virginia, and why it’s perfect for a weekend getaway coming soon!
Until then, happy travels!
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