<p>Our hotel in Waynesboro did not have a minimum stay, presumably because it was outside Charlottesville and they couldn’t annoy the “normal” travelers who were also there. We rented one room for two nights and another room for a single night.</p>
<p>You can definitely get much more hotel for your money in Waynesboro than in Cville, and the drive into Cville on I-64 is not aggravating.</p>
<p>And the Best Western Gordonsville/Zion Crossroads is also an easy drive on 64 and is east of Charlottesville if you’re going in that direction (as opposed to Waynesboro if you’re heading west-also a good choice as charlieschm says ). 15 miles away and cheaper than Charlottesville. Very good reviews on Trip Advisor.
I agree that the logistics with elderly parents (the ones not lucky enough to still be in pretty good shape) are challenging.</p>
<p>The two hotels to definitely look out for are a Homewood Suites at Seminole Square and a Residence Inn on West Main Street. There might be one more hotel coming to 29 North.</p>
<p>Construction on the Homewood Suites began today. The business currently in the spot where the Residence Inn will be built has packed up and they are about to move.</p>
<p>^ Is it possible that either of these properties will be open for Graduation 2014?</p>
<p>That’s why I mentioned them. I don’t know how long it takes to build a hotel, but I imagine they would want to be open for the biggest weekend of the year. :)</p>
<p>With modern modular construction, buildings can be finished incredibly fast. It is like putting together Legos, from pieces that are all manufactured off-site. I’m watching a 12 story building go up in 3 months. However, I’d wait until I see a foundation being dug before I’d make graduation reservations there.</p>
<p>I saw a reference earlier in this thread that the Cavalier Inn was charging $800 per night. Not the case…I just booked a 3 night stay for 2014 graduation for a total of $841 (tax included). Like most others, they do have a 3 night minimum. Given the convenience of this location, I’m very happy with the terms.</p>
<p>Sorry if you misunderstood the reference. The prices I gave were cumulative for the minimum nights required. Glad you are happy with the Cav Inn for $800 for the weekend.
It is certainly convenient, but given the poor quality of the accommodations – small, old beds; crummy linens; and musty odors throughout; it makes me sad that UVa feels it acceptable to gouge it’s families in that way.</p>
<p>Personally, now that the University has three hotels affiliated with it – Cav Inn, Inn at Darden, and Boar’s Head – I would like to see a hospitality management program at the school. Cav and Boar’s Head, especially, could use some eager young interns to help run the properties better.</p>
<p>^^^^It’s not The Ritz, but it works for the price and convenience. Also, not sure when you were there last, but it was renovated in 2010.</p>
<p>robertr - last there in 2010. DS’s fraternity brother was lamenting his family of 15+ was was staying at Cav Inn for 2013 FE for $800+. But hey, I understand the convenience factor.</p>
<p>I just really believe that the UVa should improve their accommodations using their students. Probably because I attended the #2 ranked hospitality school and see an opening for UVa here.</p>
<p>We were just at the Cav Inn for Days on the lawn in April. I would say our room didn’t look renovated and it definitely needed some major work. The bathroom did have a musty odor. It is what I would call a motel (although they do not). Our room faced the parking lot and it was not enclosed (unlike the other side of the inn). You can’t beat the location but the room needed work. The lobby looked nice :)</p>
<p>Thank goodness my wife doesn’t read College Confidential…I’ll have to make sure she gets good and tired during the day and has plenty of wine for dinner! I’ll spring for the Boar’s Head for our wedding anniversary in July.</p>
<p>Although the Residence Inn in C’ville told me by phone that they wouldn’t start taking reservations for Graduation weekend 2014 until Thursday, June 6th at 10 AM - and told me that I should call to reserve, not use the website (post 8) - I was just on the Marriott site and it would have been willing to allow me to reserve for the weekend. In fact, the website says that rooms of all types are almost sold out. </p>
<p>I’m annoyed at the idea that they keep your money if you have to cancel, even if they find someone else to take the room. I’d understand a no refund policy if the room remained vacant, or even a one-night room charge if they fill the room. But it seems unnecessarily greedy to me to have NO refunds - they’ll have a waiting list, and almost certainly will be able to fill even a last-minute cancellation. </p>
<p>I’m more annoyed that the guy at the front desk gave me misinformation about when rooms would become available. They’ll surely be gone by the time 10 AM rolls around on June 6th. We’ve made other arrangements, but if you want the Residence Inn on Millmont, reserve online ASAP.</p>
<p>Frazzled, we have a child who competes in Irish dancing and always have to book our rooms for major competitions almost a year out. They always take at least one-usually two-night’s deposit at the booking. No refunds. However, if a dancer ends up not being able to go for any reason, people always post the rooms on our discussion boards. The hotels have always let us switch the name and credit card on the reservation. Wouldn’t hurt for anyone to try it if they ended up with 3 hotel nights they couldn’t use or get a refund for! It is really annoying, though. I have had rooms paid for in Ireland, California and New Orleans all at the same time and all months before we ever get there!! (of course our one silver lining is we actually get better rates in the hosting hotels-not triple the usual prices)</p>
<p>The Residence Inn opened up reservations June 4th at 10am. Frazzled whoever quoted you the 6th did so in error. I literally call yesterday at 9:58 and was told to hold on the phone and after 2 minutes the rooms started opening up. You have 24 hours to cancel or then it was non refundable. Not so at other properties, the fairfield inn gave you 30 days to cancel, the holiday inn until February. Red Roof inn was non refundable from booking. Crazy system but seems to be the norm.</p>
<p>The Cavalier Inn might not be the most luxurious accommodations, but the cancellation policy seems more reasonable…$85 fee until 1/31/14 (about 10% of the 3 night cost) and no refund after 2/1/14.</p>