Mimslyn Inn- Luray, VA

The Mimslyn Inn has a wonderful front porch. Reminiscent of a stately Southern mansion, the Georgian style hotel offers a front portico with plenty of rockers, and a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. It is an inviting space, that inspires you to sit a spell, even if those are words that would never come out of your mouth. 

Built on the site of a Civil War hospital, construction of the Mimslyn Inn started mere months after the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Depression or not, a modern luxury hotel was going to be constructed in the Shenandoah Valley. The Inn opened with great fanfare on May 22, 1931, with over 700 guests invited to an evening of dinner and dancing. A far cry from the soup line to be sure.

The Georgian Revival was a big hit, and it soon became known for its graceful winding lobby staircase, considered an architectural masterpiece. While I find the lobby a bit disjointed today, the staircase remains, and it is indeed lovely.

The Inn became popular with well heeled Washingtonian’s, who would take the train to Luray as much for the inn’s elegant dining room as the overnight accommodations. The Roosevelt’s elected to stay at the Mimslyn while dedicating the Shenadoah National Park in 1936. Rumor has it FDR was fine with camping, while Eleanor insisted on the Mimslyn.

The hotel flourished for years, no doubt in part due to its close proximity to Skyline Drive, Luray Caverns, and Shenandoah National Park. By the time the property was sold in 2005, the 45 room inn was long overdue for a major refresh. Following a year long multi-million dollar renovation, the updated Mimslyn Inn reopened for business in 2008.

The hotel must be doing a brisk business these days, as a recent last minute trip to the area left us without a room at the inn. Just like Mary. However, only weeks prior to our visit they had debuted a collection of cottages in the inn’s backyard, which while not idea, worked for our needs. Being brand new, they were certainly nice enough, but obviously lacked the historical charm of the inn. Pastel and beachy, they don’t really fit with the character of the property, but I am sure they will be popular with vacationing families.

During the recent renovation, a basement bar was also added, which they refer to as “The Speakeasy.” Nothing about this bar will remind you of a speakeasy. Nothing. Not the booths, or the carpet, or the random black and white pictures that adorn the walls. Well I guess tangentially they will, but they bear no relation to the actual space. It is an awkward venue, but the food was actually really good, and they provided live music, so you will just have to look past the decor. The lobby bar is also strange, but you can always retreat to the front porch to enjoy your beverage.

The grounds are still lovely and as such are a hotbed of bridal activity. The front lawn, with its dramatic sweep to the road below, is slightly marred by the presence of a parking lot, but nevertheless remains an elegant green space.

There is clearly still some preservation work to be done at the inn, but that is the nature of historic properties. While they have made some interesting choices, such as the gift shop in the lobby, it is a lovely old hotel, and is certainly worth a visit when passing through town.

The town itself suffers from many vacant storefronts, but several new businesses are poised to open. It certainly possesses a certain small town charm, with several lovely old buildings along Main Street.

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