Quirk Hotel Charlottesville
"Why did this hotel catch your attention?The eye-catching, glass-clad front exterior offers a window into the serene interior. The lobby is a modern muse; the white ceiling and walls rise cocoon-like above and around you as you walk through the minimally designed space. The furnishings are low-slung and simple but artistic, with cooling creams and grays paired with pink (the signature hue), orange and gold accents. The pièce de résistance is the kudzu leaf installation by creatives Aaron McIntosh and Marie Fornaro. Each leaf represents the personal journeys of queer-identifying people throughout the South. What's the backstory?This is the second Quirk Hotel from Virginia activists and arts patrons Ted and Katie Ukrop, who opened their Richmond iteration in 2015. Unlike the first Quirk, which is housed in a renovated department store, the 80-room Charlottesville concept was built from the ground up, with design led by Architecturefirm. (The studio is known for, among other things, the Museum of Ice Cream NYC.) Adding more (well) quirkiness, the hotel was built around two 19th-century brick farm homes, juxtaposing its modern style with historical, period architecture. (The Vernacular-style red house, by the way, has a café and barrel-aged spirits bar; the Federal-style beige abode has a beauty salon and the hotel’s Loft Suite.) The hotel not only has an adjacent gallery but also spotlights myriad pieces throughout. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?This may sound too specific off the bat, but let me start with the headboard, one of the aforementioned art pieces. These creations are custom made by Richmond-based abstract painter Kiki Slaughter. The colorful splatters, which repeat many of the hotel’s key hues, dance before the eyes, rhythmically soothing one into a sound sleep. There were no complaints with the deluxe double queen—though the full soaking tub found in the Destination Suite entices more than this room's walk-in shower. (There are waterfall shower heads and Nest toiletries; some rooms have balconies, too.) The bedding was cozy, and the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows provided a scene of charming downtown Charlottesville. Tech was fine (nothing too over-the-top), and there was a desk, chair, and a mini bar. A tip: Book the Loft Suite in the beige farmhouse simply for the historic experience. One thing I missed: The Richmond location had cute, punchy pink Igloo mini fridges; it would be nice to see those here, too. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?Dining or drinking here is a choose-your-own-adventure experience and is good for those who like to try it all, couples who can’t make a decision and groups who have multiple viewpoints. There are five different spots to savor and sip. The most popular spot (particularly right now) is the indoor-outdoor Q Rooftop overlooking the town and Blue Ridge Mountains. They can make whatever suits your taste, but I’m not much of a cocktail drinker, so I'd stick to wine—there are regional choices on the list, which I suggest trying for a taste of the terroir. The menu trends Italian, with summer produce such as squash blossoms showing up on pizza. If I were a local, I’d spend my outdoor evenings here, seated on the terrace. The Pink Grouse is the all-day restaurant. The two-tops facing the window, with their bright yellow chairs, make a pretty picture for dining inside. The menu was originally designed by the team at Maple & Pine, from the Richmond location, and will serve up micro-seasonal, regional dishes that celebrates Virginia’s land. Vegetables are prominent on the seasonal small plates selection (roasted beet noodles, a salad of baby radish, a number of variations of broccoli) and as large-plate sides, with enticing preparations like potato noodles with fennel cream and chive oil. Among the other spots will be Bobboo, housed in one of the property’s two historic homes. It has not opened yet due to the pandemic. When it does, the barrel-aged spirits bar with decor that recalls Mad Men, will pour whiskeys from around the world, including a custom creation from locally run Reservoir Distillery. Insider tip: Frequent visitors can buy whiskey lockers to store their spirit of choice. And the service?The service is smooth; among the perks is an online check-in process in which your mobile key is uploaded to your app. You don't even need to stop at the front desk. What type of travelers will you find here?They are playful, youthful and spirited, with an appreciation for art, culture and community. There’s also a contingent of the selfie-snapping crowds, given the hotel’s Instagram-worthy places and patterns. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel make itself part of the scene?It definitely makes itself part of the community with a contemporary gallery and shop that showcase area artists (in addition to national talents). It's in the busy downtown district, so there's plenty to do, with accessibility to other restaurants like Red Pump Kitchen (a personal favorite) and wineries. The University of Virginia is also nearby should you want to traipse through campus. Any other hotel features worth noting?There is a reservation-only gym, the Laurie Nicole hair salon, and special programming on the rooftop in partnership with the community, like a cycling class with Pūrvelo. I do want to give another shout out though to the excellent bi-level gallery and retail shop. They celebrate art here in a special way. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?Yes! It's chic, funky, and cool, and there's plenty to do without even leaving the hotel. You are in Charlottesville though, so you probably should. There's much to explore, particularly in the food and wine scene. You can head to a bucolic vineyard during the day, then motor back to an ultra-modern haunt to relax and unwind." - Kristen Schott
