Hotel review; Dinsmore House, Charlottesville, Va.

Charlottesville is a historic city which is the home to the University of Virginia as well as to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and James Monroe's Ashlawn Highlands.  James Dinsmore was Jefferson's favorite master carpenter and he used him in the construction of Monticello and also recommended him to Benjamin Latrobe when a builder was needed for the new national capitol building. Dinsmore was a speculator in Charlottesville and owned several properties including the Livers House which today is the home of the Dinsmore House.

This is an in-town Bed and Breakfast and it is located within an easy walk of the University of Virginia making it the ideal place for visiting family to stay. It is only a mile from the central downtown shopping area and there is public transportation that travels up and down the street in front of the bed and breakfast regularly.

Right behind the Bed and Breakfast is the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel which has allocated enough parking spots for the inn to make parking a non-issue. As a Dinsmore House guest, you also have access to the pool and health club at the hotel.

This bed and breakfast is a labor of love for owners Ryan and Denise. They have been constantly making upgrades one of which the soundproofing windows made a stay here a very quiet one even though the house is located on a very busy street.

The parlor is a warm and lovely room where you will be welcomed in the evening with a glass of wine and cheese or tea and pastry. You can relax on one of the sofas and just drink in the atmosphere as well as your wine. Breakfast is served in the dining room, on the porch or in the warm weather on the back deck. The porch is also where there is a guest fridge with water and soft drinks.

Breakfast is a magnificent affair here and you will be allowed to have a private table to enjoy your gourmet repast. Expect to see delectable French toast, luscious egg dishes, amazing pancakes, fresh fruit and fruit juice, coffee and tea. You will never walk away from breakfast at Dinsmore House hungry.

The Inn has eight rooms. The Jefferson Suite is on the second floor of the adjoining townhouse. It has two rooms, a parlor separate from the sleeping area and a large bedroom with a king-sized canopy bed. All the rooms are equipped with private bath, TV with DVD, WiFi and the usual amenities such as hairdryers and ironing boards and irons.

The Dinsmore Room is a very large room on the second floor of the main house with a king size canopy bed, an antique loveseat and a wing chair for watching TV. We have stayed in both of these rooms and found the beds to be very comfortable with great mattresses and luxury linens.

If you want a room on the first floor there are two available the Veranda and Virginia. Prices range from low $100 to high $200 depending on which room is involved and what time of year it is.

If you are coming to Charlottesville to tour the wineries, to visit the University of Virginia or to visit the home of the Three Presidents (James Madison's Montpelier is only about 30 miles away) then the Dinsmore House is the perfect place to stay.

Did I forget to mention that there are several very good restaurants within walking distance of the Bed and Breakfast? One that we particularly enjoyed was Michael's Bistro which has a great college atmosphere, delicious pub style food and a beer menu that will impress even the most jaded beer connoisseur.