Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, everyone! We are looking for fairly inexpensive lodging (not Motel 6 cheap, but more like what some PPs recommended). I’ll check out these suggestions.

7:55 here and I figured as much re: budget when you mentioned the airport. I think most of those were like $120-$175/night before tax?

FWIW, for all but the Candlewood I was alone with kid(s) for at least one night because my husband often can't go or comes for only part, and I never felt unsafe. I also tend to go back to hotels late at night.

I know some people won't do that in any locations though. I'm not one to worry a lot about safety but wouldn't stay at Motel 6 or any motel with outside doors or Quality Inn or Days Inn these days. I've found, not just in Richmond that some of the Holiday Inn Expresses may be old but to me that feels different from unsafe. I think they tend to be a high enough price point not to be awful but YMMV.

If you stay near the airport, I love the view coming into the city if you go on Route 60 to 250 (lots of run down stuff on the way, though). I love that view, but there are lots of people who roll their eyes at me. You could also just drive down Broad Street and back no matter where you're staying. Glen Allen is probably more convenient to VMFA? I love to drive all around Richmond no matter where I stay.

Also try VMHC right next to VMFA. Has a small room for kids if you have toddlers/young elementary with you.

Also I wasn't necessarily saying other places are not fine/better/closer to stay. That's just everywhere I've stayed in the past two years. I've stayed at the Commonwealth a long time ago, which was convenient, but it's probably more expensive and has a garage I think you have to pay extra for and I know nothing about the hotel's current condition.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, everyone! We are looking for fairly inexpensive lodging (not Motel 6 cheap, but more like what some PPs recommended). I’ll check out these suggestions.

7:55 here and I figured as much re: budget when you mentioned the airport. I think most of those were like $120-$175/night before tax?

FWIW, for all but the Candlewood I was alone with kid(s) for at least one night because my husband often can't go or comes for only part, and I never felt unsafe. I also tend to go back to hotels late at night.

I know some people won't do that in any locations though. I'm not one to worry a lot about safety but wouldn't stay at Motel 6 or any motel with outside doors or Quality Inn or Days Inn these days. I've found, not just in Richmond that some of the Holiday Inn Expresses may be old but to me that feels different from unsafe. I think they tend to be a high enough price point not to be awful but YMMV.

If you stay near the airport, I love the view coming into the city if you go on Route 60 to 250 (lots of run down stuff on the way, though). I love that view, but there are lots of people who roll their eyes at me. You could also just drive down Broad Street and back no matter where you're staying. Glen Allen is probably more convenient to VMFA? I love to drive all around Richmond no matter where I stay.

Also try VMHC right next to VMFA. Has a small room for kids if you have toddlers/young elementary with you.

I’ve stayed in both of these. Both are very convenient to VMFA and Carytown. The second one is really adorable, but the bedrooms are on the second floor, if mobility is an issue.

https://www.airbnb.com/l/QTo7PriM
https://www.airbnb.com/l/Xydvfj3v

Every time I look for a hotel in Richmond, I get frustrated and end up in an Airbnb. The hotels that are most convenient to the good stuff are incredibly expensive or old and tired. The chains are all far out in nondescript suburbs.

Quirk.

Thanks, everyone! We are looking for fairly inexpensive lodging (not Motel 6 cheap, but more like what some PPs recommended). I’ll check out these suggestions.

As noted above, the Museum District/Fan has several AirBnBs, and those would be great neighborhoods - lots of sights within walking distance, and simply walking the neighborhoods is a joy. The Jefferson and Quirk are between VCU and downtown. Great hotels, and there are certainly restaurants nearby, but downtown Richmond is pretty quiet after dark. I wouldn't stay near the airport - not a very attractive area, and not walkable to anything.

As far as safety, Richmond feels safer to me than DC, although by the per-capita violent crime numbers they're similar. Richmond's crime is more focused within public housing complexes that are not near tourist areas. So while you will see some homeless on Broad St., there really isn't that much random crime.

The VMFA has a lovely restaurant and also a cafe. You could easily spend half a day there!

There also are Peter Chang restaurants, which you may know, but we’re new to us!

We took a custom walking tour, but sounds like that is a no go for you.

We stayed near the main train station, two adjacent chains, Res. Inn and Courtyard. Both fine.

Shenandoah Mansions
Unfortunately, they aren’t opening until mid-April

We stayed in a great AirBnB 1-bedroom apartment on Floyd Ave just south of the VMFA. Terrific location, plenty of street parking around. Perhaps grandparent would be alright with a ground floor place? They have a number of 2 and 3 bedrooms available on VRBO/AirBnB.

If you prefer a hotel, I would stay in one of the places just to the east of VCU near the Convention Center. Not the Quirk or the Jefferson, because those places are too expensive for us at least, but one of the other places that are close by.

Omni in shockoe slip. Walk to restaurants and waterfront. Easy access to highway and train station.

I stayed at Holiday Inn Express Richmond Airport over the summer and don't remember it being sketchy. There's a Quality Inn somewhere near the airport that was sketchy and gave the other people we were traveling with a room that hadn't been cleaned, second room wasn't cleaned either, etc., and they left and went to our hotel.

In Midlothian, Hampton Inn Richmond-Midlothian Turnpike seems nice enough (next to Target and lots of fast food/across from a shopping center). They do sometimes have a side door that won't latch so non-guests could get in. Very nice staff last time I was there.

Never felt unsafe at Holiday Inn Express Richmond E - Midlothian Trnpke 8710 Midlothian Turnpike, but the rooms are dusty and old (hence why I chose the prior Hampton Inn again).

Holiday Inn Express Richmond North Ashland
107 South Carter Road also had nice staff. It's very close to the interstate so kind of a bit isolated but didn't feel unsafe. Just stayed there last month with one kid.

Hampton Inn & Suites Richmond/Virginia Center, I've stayed at 2 years ago and would have chosen recently except I prefer Holiday Inn Express breakfast. I think the area is safe and it's also near a Target, but apparently it may be undergoing some almost-complete (?) renovations which could be good or bad for you depending....

Candlewood Suites Richmond South booked last minute 2 years ago. It was basic and old/dusty inside and probably try the Best Western if I was on that side of town again because it looked newer. It's also right next to Altria or what we Philip Morris is called now.

The hotels near the airport are fine but not convenient to what you want to do in Richmond.

Jefferson is very nice (and historic). Not cheap but centrally located and area seemed safe. Pretty close to museum

We went for the weekend and really liked the Quirk.

Just for a weekend trip, and we would drive to each destination (taking grandparent with mobility issues). Plan to visit VMFA, and other sites in that general area.

Where is a safe/convenient area of Richmond, or even a specific hotel recommendation (or anywhere to avoid)? We’re fine with driving several miles between hotel & museums. I think I remember reading that the area closer to the airport was sketchy… still true? Thanks.