Traveling to Richmond and looking for a great spot to stay—and work—in between meetings?
Look no further than the Linden Row Inn: 100 East Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23219 • lindenrowinn.com • 804-783-7000
Scroll down for our review of this Great Spot to Work—when you work for yourself.
Inkandescent Spotlight is on: Linden Row Inn
This is a relaxing spot to work when you are staying at the hotel, making it a good option when visiting Richmond for business, and it’s a great spot for local entrepreneurs to go for an in-town getaway to change things up and recharge in a historic hotel.
1. The atmosphere: A lovely boutique hotel steeped in history, Linden Row is a four-story urban inn featuring 70 guest rooms and seven suites. Taking up a block of seven row houses built in the mid-1800s, the inn has been restored to offer modern amenities such as cable TV, hairdryers, and coffeemakers. But the establishment’s charm remains in the guest rooms’ high ceilings, pocket doors, and furnishings, which include 19th century antiques.
2. The café = a great place to plug in: While the full-service restaurant is now limited to the breakfast that is included in the price of the room, the dining area is the perfect spot to work, from dawn to dusk. Quiet and clean, the restaurant boasts a staff who welcome guests accompanied by laptops—providing thermoses full of coffee, pitchers of water, and a selection of wines ($7 for a glass/$20 for a bottle of red or white wine/$25 for a bottle of sparkling wine).
3. Outside seating = a breath of fresh air: If your computer is fully charged (there are no outlets on the patio), and the weather permits, feel free to sit outside in the garden courtyard and work the day away. Wrought iron tables are sprinkled throughout the brick-covered patio. A favorite spot is near the fountain, which is covered by a natural canopy provided by the tree-lined walls.
When you aren’t working: This outdoor area also provides an ideal spot for weddings and social functions, which the Linden Row’s general manager says can accommodate 90 people for a sit-down meal, 125 people for theater-style seating, and 100 for a buffet-style reception.
4. The service: The team at Linden Row couldn’t be more hospitable. In addition to keeping the place spotless, the front desk staff are friendly, polite men and women who are eager to keep guests happy. The sense of Southern charm here is a welcome treat when you are looking for a great spot to work—when you work for yourself.
5. The price: Affordable for a Richmond hotel—depending on the time of week that you’re staying. Before booking, shop around for the best rate. A three-star hotel, a recent stay was $116 when booked on hotels.com. Check there first, since the prices on the hotel’s website started at $227.05 with a AAA discount.
And if it’s available (and affordable), reserve a suite. On my last stay, in Room 220, I enjoyed an awe-inspiring room complete with two sofas, giant windows that nearly reach the top of the room’s 12-foot ceilings, two (inactive) fireplaces, a king-size bed, a writing desk, and access to the veranda.
The garden rooms in the two original carriage houses are cozy and lovely. Featuring a queen or two full-size beds, they are decorated in a light and airy color scheme.
6. The history = Edgar Allan Poe played here: While not all Great Spots to Work—when you work for yourself, have a century-long history, the land on which Linden Row Inn sits was originally part of a 100-acre tract west of the Richmond city limits. The land was originally built by Thomas Rutherford, who amassed his fortunes in tobacco, milling, and real estate. In 1861, it was sold to Charles Ellis, who used the land as a garden filled with roses, jasmine, and linden trees.
It was in these gardens that Edgar Allan Poe played with Ellis’ children. In fact, Poe mentions the gardens in his famous poem, To Helen.
Ellis sold the property just before the Civil War, and 10 row houses were built on the land. During the Civil War, they were occupied by the Southern Female Institute, and in 1856 by Mrs. Pegram’s School for girls. Signs for that school still appear on the doors of the Linden Row Inn, which became a property of the Historic Richmond Foundation in 1980. It was restored in 1988 as a full-service inn.
7. The bottom line: Whether you are looking for a Great Spot to Work—when you work for yourself, or just a lovely inn to enjoy when you are traveling to Richmond for pleasure, the Linden Row Inn is worth a visit.
Inkandescent rating: Three and a half lightbulbs, out of 4.
Want to learn more? Visit LindenRowInn.com.
