Elvis AT 21: Photographs By Alfred Wertheimer
Stay where Elvis stayed during his visit to Richmond in 1956! Learn more»
Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb
"Disney's The Lion King"
Disney's "THE LION KING" will leap onto the Landmark Theater Stage in February. Learn More»
Winter Bed & Breakfast Package
Jefferson E-scapes
Sign up today to be entered into a drawing for a Lemaire Dinner Package!
Packages at The Jefferson
View all of our fabulous packages- perfect for any occasion!
Did You Know?
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The Jefferson Hotel was supposed to open on November 1, 1895, but at the last minute it was realized that November 1 was a Friday, and it was considered bad luck to start anything on a Friday. So the hotel was opened on Halloween instead.
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From the time the hotel opened until 1937, rooms were just $1.50 per night. A room with a private bath was $1 more per night.
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The Thanksgiving Day Dinner at the hotel in 1949 cost $2.50.
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When Elvis stayed at the hotel in 1956, he brought his own television and the hotel manager was shocked that Elvis ate his bacon with his fingers.
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In the mid 1950s, the hotel had a pink limousine to drive guests throughout the city.
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The Jefferson has been in several movies including My Dinner with Andre (1981), First Kid (1996), HBO's Ironed Jawed Angels (2004), The American President (1995) and the recently discovered Rock and Roll Hotel (early 1980's).
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Alligators once resided in marble pools in the Palm Court Lobby. Richmonders would vacation in Florida and bring the baby alligators home as pets. As they outgrew sinks and bathtubs, residents would bring them to live at The Jefferson. Tour the hotel’s public area and see how many alligators you can find today!
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Twelve US Presidents, including Harrison, McKinley, Wilson, Coolidge, Taft, both Roosevelts (Theodore and Franklin Delano), Truman and Reagan, both Bushes (George H. W. and George W.) and Obama have been guests at The Jefferson Hotel.
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Legend says that Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was discovered by his life-long agent while dancing across the dining room at The Jefferson Hotel.
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Frank Sinatra once entertained guests in Lemaire at The Jefferson Hotel with an impromptu performance after enjoying his dinner.
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Artifacts from over a century of the hotel’s history are housed in a museum at the bottom of The Grand Staircase, including a photo of Elvis at the hotel's old lunch counter.
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The priceless statue of Thomas Jefferson that stands watch over the Palm Court lobby has only left his post on one occasion. In the 1902 hotel fire, he was rescued from the building only to have his head bumped on the cobblestones. He took a brief vacation to Edward Valentine’s art studio where his head was reattached.
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The Grand Staircase at The Jefferson Hotel has long been rumored to be the staircase featured in the iconic film, Gone with the Wind.
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The Jefferson Hotel is often cited as one of the finest examples of Beaux Arts architecture still in existence today.
Honors and Awards
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
2012 AWARDS
Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Travel Guide) awards its Star ratings based on standards developed by its team of culinary and hospitality experts; standards considered benchmarks for excellence in the travel industry. A coveted Five Star rating from Forbes signifies an unrelenting commitment to professionalism, refinement and unparalleled excellence.
AAA (American Automobile Association) has a Diamond rating program. The Five Diamond status is reserved for only those facilities that are renowned for their exceptionally high degree of service, luxurious facilities and superb amenities.
2011 AWARDS
Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Travel Guide)
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA (American Automobile Association)
The Jefferson Hotel
2010 AWARDS
Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA (American Automobile Association)
The Jefferson Hotel
2009 AWARDS
The Mobil 5 Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA (American Automobile Association)
The Jefferson Hotel
2008 AWARDS
The Mobil 5 Star Award
AAA Five Diamond Award
The Jefferson Hotel
Mobil Five Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
Pinnacle Award
Successful Meetings magazine
DiRöNa Award
2007 AWARDS
The Mobil 5 Star Award
AAA Five Diamond Award
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA Five Diamond Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Mobil Five Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
Pinnacle Award
Successful Meetings magazine
DiRöNa Award
2006 AWARDS
AAA Five Diamond Award
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA Five Diamond Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Mobil Five Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
Pinnacle Award
Successful Meetings magazine
Member
National Trust For Historic Preservation
2005 AWARDS
AAA Five Diamond Award
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA Five Diamond Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Mobil Five Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
Pinnacle Award
Successful Meetings magazine
Member
National Trust For Historic Preservation
2004 AWARDS
AAA Five Diamond Award
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA Five Diamond Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Mobil Five Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
2003 AWARDS
AAA Five Diamond Award
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA Five Diamond Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Mobil Five Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
Mobil Four Star Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Pinnacle Award
Successful Meetings magazine
2002 AWARDS
AAA Five Diamond Award
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA Five Diamond Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Mobil Five Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
Mobil Four Star Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Pinnacle Award
Successful Meetings magazine
2001 AWARDS
AAA Five Diamond Award
The Jefferson Hotel
AAA Five Diamond Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Mobil Five Star Award
The Jefferson Hotel
Mobil Four Star Award
Lemaire Restaurant
Reader's Choice Award for City Hotel
Southern Living magazine
Most Romantic Hotel
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Best Luxury Hotel
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Best Martini (TJ's)
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