Hotel Laurance
"So, tell us a little about this place.The Shenandoah Valley isn’t exactly loaded with hotels, making Hotel Laurance an even bigger treat. The old house–turned–boutique hotel (the original structure was built in 1830; it became a hotel in 1883) has only 12 rooms, none are alike. In fact, the entire hotel was refurbished (revamps were completed in early June 2020), with rooms bearing new bedding, linens and velour-tufted sofas. Almost all of them have kitchens, which makes packing a picnic lunch for Shenandoah National Park a breeze. There aren't dining options at the hotel, but there's plenty nearby in downtown Luray. The hotelalso has a Parlour room (accommodates 25 to 50 people) and Keeping room, a library that begs you to dive into a good book. Both are good choices for small weddings, brunches, cocktail parties or family occasions. How was check in?Casual and not all that hands-on. Check-in is largely DIY, and you might not see a single other soul during your stay. Now, onto the good stuff: Tell us about your room.They're handsomely appointed, with taupe-colored walls and crystal chandeliers, fabric-covered furnishings, objet d'art like statuettes, stacks of books everywhere, and linen bed coverings. You really do feel as if you're staying in a classic old home that's been given a smart new look. The light-filled 750-square-foot Jordan Suite has original windows, a king-sized bed, and a sitting room with an antique daybed. Anything else we should know in advance?The Main Street location can be both a blessing and a curse—it’s easy to walk the main drag for dining, but some road-facing rooms can be noisy at times. Bottom line: why would we want to stay here?It would be a nice hotel anywhere, but it especially stands out in rural Virginia." - Laura Ratliff
