The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center

Jan 30, 2025

The Blackburn In. is amazing. Amber at the front desk was spectacular!! I’ve already called some family and friends and told them we are definitely going back. We rode on the Blue Ridge Flyer and next time we will take the Allegheny Special. We walked to the train station which was fine otw there but it was cold and dark otw back it was still fine just glad I took my jacket. Back to the Inn, the history and atmosphere is just perfect. Every staff member was helpful and kind.

Jan 30, 2025

This was our third stay at The Blackburn Inn. We overnight in Staunton and also look forward to enjoying the downtowns fine restaurants. For the past 3 years, on our way to winter-over in Florida we stay here. Every visit is of top notch quality! The historic flavor, the staff, and accommodations make this quaint historic hotel very comfortable. We recommend this Inn to all of our friends; and all who have stayed at the Inn, love this place also. We are so happy to write this review about this lovely place! Until next time!

Jan 23, 2025

Great hotel with a lot of history. Staff was very friendly and helpful

Jan 09, 2025

Gorgeous boutique hotel with the most interesting history! We got stranded in the snow and decided to stop for the night. We were greeted warmly and accommodated right away. From the time you step in the building the atmosphere is so cool- the hotel has a signature scent (which you can purchase there), jazz was playing, and we got to exploring this awesome hotel with all its staircases and historic details (check out the prison doors!), common areas such as the library with a warm fireplace and comfortable sofas. Make sure to climb to the top of the spiral staircase for a 180° view of the town and surrounding mountains. Our room was beautiful, very comfortable bed and everyone there made sure we had everything we needed. Breakfast in the morning was delicious and freshly made. This is a very unique stay and we will definitely plan to go back and explore the town. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming at the Blackburn Inn.

Jan 06, 2025

Absolutely amazing experience

Jan 06, 2025

Beautiful hotel with great history. Staff members were kind and amenities were nice, we had breakfast at the cafe, and enjoyed a stroll around the property. It would be nice if they had smart TVs in the rooms, but the stay overall is worth the price.

Jan 06, 2025

Great stay with phenomenal service

Jan 06, 2025

I was given a weekly rate as a travel nurse. Not only was the rate not honored, I was charged multiple times that amounted to over $1000. My Amazon packages were also stolen, which amounted to several hundred dollars. There are no Smart TVs, no ventilation in the bathrooms, the a/c unit does not work, the walls were damp w mildew and I ended up getting sick. The manager initially denied making the charges to my card, then later refused to answer my calls. I was never provided a contact number for a person above the manager level to discuss the charges on my card. I would not recommend this place to anyone, especially for professionals.

Jan 06, 2025

So much history in this hotel! The main building has been beautifully renovated, while still maintaining many of the original historic features - pine floors, transom windows, crown molding. The spiral staircase to the cupola is stunning and a must-see. They also have local art displayed throughout. The bed was very comfortable (though the cot for my son was not). They are in the process of restoring the surrounding buildings on the property, but in the meantime your view may be of a dilapidated building (though I thought it was pretty cool knowing the history). The floors are old and thus very creaky when people above you are walking around - I think some rugs in the room would help with that. We met the owner on our way in who was a pleasure to chat with, and very helpful in offering recommendations. Overall this hotel is a gem and I hope it grows and flourishes - we would stay here again!

Jan 06, 2025

The Blackburn Inn is housed in a 1828 building that has been lovingly restored. We have stayed there twice and had wonderful experiences both times. Staunton is also a surprisingly charming little town, and the downtown is within walking distance of the hotel. The restoration maintains lots of original features, which means some quirks like creaky floors. We loved these features and think this hotel is perfect for anyone who enjoys unique travel experiences. Also very reasonably priced for the level of comfort and service!

Jan 06, 2025

This is one of my favorite hotel stays of all time. I'll be visiting again! Wonderful and friendly staff.

Jan 06, 2025

We stayed here on a lark - it is a gem of a find and so affordable. Quirky history - with a beautiful renovation and super kind staff. We loved it and the town of Staunton is so lovely. We had dinner at a wonderful restaurant - Zynodoa - incredible! Highly recommend this area and inn.

Jan 06, 2025

We stop here regularly on our way to NC from PA.

Dec 06, 2024

From what I can see I thought it was a nice place to come celebrate my birthday. Than an emergency happened and I had to cancel. I contacted the property/ guest relations 40 minutes after 4 on Friday. That 40 minutes was just to short of a notice for them. Due to them having a 24 hour cancellation policy. It would have been my first time here to celebrate my birthday. Yet being charged almost $200 for a room I never got to stay in is insane to me. It was only 40 minutes. I can see if I cancelled an hour before check in but that's not what happened. I don't understand why some companies are so money hungry. Like I had a budget. So thankfully I was okay but I definitely had to move some things around. Won't be back but there a big corporation so me not coming back won't do anything. Which further highlights my point taking my money just because you can is super petty. I can see $100 or something like that but $174 and I never stayed and I cancelled almost 24 hours in advance. Do better and treat people better. Some of us never get a break from our kids or life. My son is special needs and this was my first time away from him in 4 years. I love my kid but a break is something that doesn't happen often. So again do better and treat people better and have some exceptions or at least be willing to talk over the phone not just through email 📨.

Dec 06, 2024

Very cool hotel with a unique history as an asylum and prison, prior to renovation and becoming a hotel. Definitely worth it if you like unique and interesting stays Nice location in Staunton and on large grounds. It only takes about 12 minutes to walk into the historic district. Many restaurants within a 15 minute walk or five minute drive. Room- had the basic queen. Bathroom was a nice size. Room itself was small, but enough. Some features could use some updating (dirty rug in room, etc.). There was no iron and no closet in the room. Hotel- hotel itself was renovated nicely and well maintained. Service- staff who checked us in were great! Very friendly and helpful. We stayed for three nights with our room being freshened. Guess you have to make a request if you want it. I think it should default to at least once every two days. There is a small restaurant on-site that serves food and alcohol

Dec 06, 2024

What a gem! For the price of a roadside motel, stay in a piece of history. The story is too long to go into here but it's a remarkable and beautiful place.

Nov 06, 2024

Dear Blackburn Inn Management, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share some feedback about our recent stay at the Blackburn Inn. We had a wonderful time, and one of the highlights of our visit was exploring the grounds and the building itself. During our exploration, we were admiring the stairs when Lynn, one of your housekeepers, approached us. She asked if we had noticed the stairs were slanted and went on to share the fascinating history of the hotel in great detail. Lynn explained the architectural allegory of the spiral staircase leading up to the cupola, and how it represented the mental health journey of the patients at the Western State Hospital. Her knowledge and enthusiasm truly enhanced our experience. It is clear to us that the Blackburn Inn has an underutilized resource in Lynn. Her passion and knowledge make her an excellent candidate for a more customer-facing role, such as giving tours or sharing the history of the hotel with guests. We believe she would be a valuable asset in such a capacity, rather than solely focusing on cleaning rooms. Thank you for considering our feedback. We look forward to our next visit to the Blackburn Inn. Thanks, Chad

Nov 06, 2024

Great place to stay for a long weekend. The venue has lovely grounds and nooks to explore, including a small library, historic fountains, an art gallery, and cupola with views. The only meal we had on property was breakfast, but it was amazing. The oatmeal was steel-cut oats with shaved almonds and huge blueberries! The yogurt bowl was creamy and full of fresh fruit, shaved almonds, and granola. We both had coffee with breakfast. The bowls sound simple, but they were made extraordinarily well.|The room was spacious, with "shabby chic" touches. A fireplace and inset cabinet in white distressed paint, but everything was clean and furniture and appliances were new. |One item of note. There may be ghosts. We heard strange noises at one point a bit late in the evening. Only once, but quite loud voices almost from our bathroom walls. No one else was on our floor and it didn't happen again the whole time. From what we heard from someone at the spa, that floor was once the nurse station when the building was Western State Asylum.|Do visit. The grounds are also a romp, with abandoned buildings and a guard tower you can observe from a hidden walking path.|Another hidden gem you have to ask about and find is the architect's signature, discovered fairly recently in a cupboard under the stairs.

Nov 06, 2024

If you are looking for lodging with an unusual history and quirky charm, this is the place. For a 200 year old building that started as an institution for the mentally ill, it has been thoughtfully updated to provide a comfortable stay. My husband rated the shower #1 in a trip that included 4 different hotels. The climb to the cupola is not to be missed. The staff was gracious and friendly and breakfast at the Second Draft Bistro was delightful. All in all a wonderful stay.

Nov 06, 2024

Interesting experience. We chose to stay here based on a package deal they have with Virginia Scenic Railways. First impression as you drive up is like the website pix - wow! This place is not cheap so we had high expectations for a special weekend.|Only when you see the huge flight of stairs at the entrance do you begin to wonder. There is an accessible entrance on the side, but no signs indicating such. Also, NO bellmen or anyone else to help you get your stuff into the room - strictly a "do it yourself" operation at "resort" prices.|Our overall impression was "meh." This is a work in progress, with many surrounding buildings obviously needing repair.|Pluses: Our corner room had a nice, up to date bathroom. We both had massages at the spa which was very nicely done with an excellent masseuse.|Drawbacks: very limited eating ops (and hours) without walking downtown. This place cries for a nice restaurant and comfortable bar!|Service - our room was never fully made up and we had to go down to the reception area to get the niceties such as lotion, soap, etc. which were not replenished. The excuse that one of the rooms was left "full of confetti" and took longer to clean was not our problem, but the "resort" had no trouble making it our problem by shorting our room refreshment.|This doesn't fit my idea of a "resort" at all. it certainly could be, but it's not there yet - | not close! Maybe if the new owner gets his multiyear upgrade project done this would be worth a return visit.|By the way, it's a short walk (half mile) to town for better eating opportunities, but unless you like to walk through streets lined with car repair shops and other industrial areas to get there, best to drive.|Overall our stay was a letdown, won't bother coming back for a few years if then.

Nov 06, 2024

My son and I wanted to embark on a history tour of the nearby cities in our area. Being from Charlottesville, we were excited to explore Staunto , which offered a sense of adventure and discovery for us. We chose to stay at Blackburn, and I must say, I found the history and charm of the hotel captivating. Parking was a breeze, and we were greeted by the friendly and welcoming staff right away. The check-in are was unique, reflecting the building’s character, which added to its quirky and charming atmosphere. We were assigned a room on the fourth floor, and the staff shared some fascinating history about the hotel, mentioning that this was where the nurses used to be housed. With only four rooms on that floor, we felt quite special. The highlight of our stay was the stunning spiral staircase that led to the rooftop. We took full advantage of it, soaking in the breathtaking views—it was truly spectacular. I can definitely see us returning and requesting the fourth floor again; it has a unique vibe. Our room was spacious, with tall ceilings and original architectural features. You could tell that the fourth floor retained its original flooring and railings, which was a nice touch that set it apart from the other floors. In the morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the restaurant downstairs. I ordered a yogurt parfait that was delicious, loaded with fresh fruit, while my son chose an egg sandwich with a side of fruit, which he also appreciated. It was a simple yet satisfying breakfast. It's worth noting that we stayed on a weekday, so brunch wasn't available, but we would love to come back to try the brunch menu, which looks much more elaborate.

Nov 06, 2024

The Blackburn Inn is a very beautiful old place, and it was easy for me to find off the highway. However, I called from my car to find out where to check in because it's not in the front of the very large building. I was met at the portico at the end of the building. I must say my room was quite small, even though they kindly upgraded it. It was, however, very clean, and the bed and pillows were very comfortable. There was a small refrigerator tucked in that had two glasses and a bottle of wine waiting. What a nice touch! The bathroom was spacious, and the shower was large and came with a rain style shower head. All of the people who worked there were more than kind and very helpful. Even though there were not any bellmen to help with my bags, the ladies from the front desk came to my rescue on arriving and leaving! My appointment with the spa in a building behind the Inn was next up after arriving. I had a massage and a peppermint neck and head massage. Both were very relaxing. Unfortunately, the facial I had booked was canceled due to no one available to do it. Maybe next time. After my spa appointment, I called to get a light fare plate of food delivered to my room. Even though the menu said they had room service, again, the lady at the front desk brought me my tray, as no one else was there to do it! This Inn does not have a regular restaurant, only a bistro, serving breakfast and brunch on the weekend. Very limited light fare on weekend evenings. I truly enjoyed my overnight stay, and the next morning, I boarded a sightseeing 3-hour train trip that included lunch. It was a special package through the Inn. I plan on returning, maybe stay for a few days and check out more of the town of Staunton. The only problems were that of being understaffed. However, the staff that was there were able to accommodate my needs, and for that, I'm most grateful!!

Nov 06, 2024

The Blackburn Inn was beautifully renovated and I love how it doesn’t hide from its past as an asylum and prison. ||We stayed one night in a cozy queen room in the basement level which was all we needed. The space was small but thoughtfully laid out and the bathroom and towels were great. Staff were very friendly and proximity to downtown is easily walkable. We had breakfast in Second Draft and everything was tasty.||I feel like they are missing the mark on comfort, however. We found the bed uncomfortable and the air temperature not easily controlled - we went from too hot to too cold throughout the night and the thermostat only able to be adjusted between 70 and 72. Soundproofing between floors and the hall was also lacking. ||I also wish there were more comfortable chairs tucked around the property - from cozy reading nooks, to rockers on the front porch or Adirondack chairs or hammocks on the grounds. A chess board or puzzles here and there would be fun too. Just seems like a missed opportunity for this inn to be the destination more than just a place to sleep. Anyway it’s what would keep us from returning and seems like easy fixes for such a unique property.||Thanks for saving this place and giving it a new lease on life!

Nov 06, 2024

The hotel was nice and the morning staff was friendly. The evening person wasn’t very friendly or helpful too be honest. I wouldn’t recommend the room service at all. I was extremely disappointed that they would charge $18 for 4 overcooked slices of bacon and brownish/ overdone eggs in a to go bag. It made the whole meal feel rushed and the bread was stale and the jelly was expired. I made me not want to try anything else from there. No idea why they would charge so much for an awful breakfast. I ended up throwing it out and going else where do that was money wasted. The rooms are small and lack proper cleaning in common areas. We find hair in the bathroom sink and used paper on the trash can. The hotel overall could use an update/clean. The best part of my visit was the spa. The spa was super clean and calming. I got an amazing orange clove massage that was to die for.

Nov 06, 2024

The magnificence of this historical structure is phenomenal. The grounds and main building have been renovated and preserved to their original grandeur. It was a great experience and pleasure to spend the night in this place. Love the history and beauty.

Nov 06, 2024

This hotel is a one-of-a-kind experience. Because of its history as an asylum and then a prison, the grounds are like no other. HIGHLY recommend! My room was well-appointed and I very much appreciated the excellent service from Pavel at breakfast. Will DEFINITELY return here every single time I am in Staunton. Great for business travelers as well as sightseers!

Nov 06, 2024

This hotel was fantastic! I love the elegance and the history of this place! I can’t wait to go back soon! Highly recommend anyone to stay here.

Nov 06, 2024

This lovely inn is in close proximity to the restaurant and town. We came here to spend one night before we made our way north on Skyline Drive. Rooms were a bit small, but that's normal for a historic inn. We will be back!

Nov 06, 2024

This place is amazing, if walls could talk....lady in the front desk was so nice and excellent service.

Nov 06, 2024

Wonderful boutique hotel with a fascinating history. Very clean, well appointed rooms.

Nov 06, 2024

Yes, this as good as it gets.

Oct 06, 2024

This building is very nice and the hotel conversion was done without destroying the existing fabric. They kept the observatory on the roof and the spiral staircase to get to it. Spent two nights here. All personnel encountered were friendly. Only giving 4 stars because the room (4th floor) was dusty, and windows were inoperable. Another reviewer mentioned the establishment was free of mold, however this was not the case for the top rooms, if you're sensitive I'd suggest to get one of the lower floors.

Sep 06, 2024

We stayed at the Blackburn Inn for two nights – it was so cool, and we will be back. The rooms are gorgeous, the staff is outstanding, and the history is amazing. We worked with Q when we booked, she was so nice. All the staff provide a very local welcoming experience – the hotel is old, and based on some other reviews that it was loud… we were prepared, but it was not at all. It is not the place I would bring multiple/ rambunctious children --- the hotel is definitely for an older crowd; however, they were wonderful with our 10-year-old. The bathrooms are almost spa-like, I loved the rain shower heads. The rooms are all a different layout – and very functional. I also liked that they had HOT water available all night – I am tea drinker and loved that. Maybe put some teas in the rooms ( I bring my own because I am freak). The only feedback I have is the Bistro onsite is lacking. They are more expensive, which is to be expected you are paying for convenience. BUT the food 3/10. We had breakfast and the bacon was cold, the toast was cold, the sandwich was cold and had nice hair in it. The girl working in the bistro was alone both days, but she was very nice. Just sad, everything is top notch except their dining. We ate there once… and that was it for us. We will be back for sure – the location is great and close to downtown (walking distance for sure). Thanks for a great weekend.

Sep 06, 2024

Wonderful place! My husband who is not a big complimenter couldnt say enough about the accomodations. I would recommend this for a great anniversary trip. Which ours was. Loved it all!