With historic charm, surrounded by colonial-style furniture, we sleep in a four-poster bed at the Mimslyn Inn in Luray, Virginia and whittle the day away on the front porch overlooking the valley down below.
The Mimslyn Inn is in the centre of Shenandoah Valley, one of Virginia’s most historic locations. Shenandoah Valley was a site for many military campaigns during the American Civil War.
The Mimslyn Inn dates back to the Great Depression and World War II. Henry and Elizabeth Mims lived in Luray and owned and operated two hotels, the Hotel Laurance and Mansion Inn. However, they wanted to build something more elegant than anything that came before in the Valley; thus, the Mimslyn Inn was born. The couple and Henry’s brothers constructed the site on a historic property titled ‘Aventine Hall.’ Construction lasted 15 months, with materials coming from all over the Commonwealth. In celebration, the Mims held a soiree of hundreds of attendees, all graciously welcomed then and after.
Today, the Inn belongs to the Asam family, who continually work to maintain the welcoming warmth of the Mimslyn Inn. In 2008, the Inn was inducted into the Historic Hotels of America.
Luray, Virginia, is famous for the one and only Luray Caverns. A cave system of 1.5 miles. A staggering statistic if you’ve visited before, Luray Caverns receives more than 500,000 visitors a year. Still, I’m told most visitors turn off Highway I-81, tour through the famous cave system, and hop back onto the highway to continue their journey toward one of the United States’ most famous National Parks: Shenandoah National Park, 10.7 miles away.
It’s a shame because with all this hustle and bustle of tourists and then hopping off and on the highway, they are missing out on a stay at the Mimslyn Inn.
Staying in a historic hotel is not without problems and is not for everyone.
- Our room and the hotel were generally dark and dimly lit due to the antique-style lights everywhere.
- The furniture and decor are in keeping with the style of the hotel.
- Rooms do not have a refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave or safe.
- There are no USB charging ports next to the bed.
- The TV was small and not working correctly, so it was unwatchable.
- WiFi signal could be stronger. I could only get online in our suite, and even then, it kept dropping the internet signal, making it difficult to check my email occasionally.
- Our suite was on the first floor, but there were four steps to get there from the lobby level, and the elevator didn’t stop on this floor.
- The walls and windows are thin.
- The gym in the basement needed to be more inviting, with more equipment.
- Is it haunted? Rumours say yes, but we didn’t experience any paranormal activity. I wouldn’t be surprised if the stories are true because it is a historic inn.
Regarding historic downtown Luray, Main Street is only a few blocks away. It’s quiet, and sadly, everything was closed when we explored at 5:30 p.m. There were a few cute-looking shops and restaurants.
- Gathering Grounds – We had hoped to visit for breakfast, but they are closed on Thursdays.
- Broad Porch Coffee Co. – Well known in this part of Virginia. We saw bags of their coffee in Winchester and Harrisonburg.
- Watch and Warrant – The newest addition to Luray, serving sharable plates and cocktails.
So why stay at the historic Mimslyn Inn in Luray, Virginia?
The Mimslyn Inn is charming, and once you enter through its doors, it’s as if you’re transported to a time when life was simpler.
A time when you could rise late after a deep, refreshing sleep under a warm duvet in a four-poster bed and not feel rushed to get on with your day.
A time when breakfast is served in the shade of the porch while you take your time to read the morning newspaper from start to finish over that second or third cup of coffee.
A time when you could sit in a rocking chair on the big porch, a cup of sweet tea or lemonade at your side and pass the time away. Napping is always encouraged.
Guests who stay at the Mimslyn Inn come to breathe the fresh air, relax, and reset.
We met a couple from Richmond, Virginia (a 2-hour drive away) while sitting on the porch. As he whittled (carved) a wooden sculpture, his wife napped. They come to the Mimslyn Inn for a few days every year to “get away from it all.” Based on the pile of wood shavings surrounding his rocking chair, he had been sitting on the porch for quite a while. They continued to tell us that they don’t venture into town or visit the caverns or the national park. They come purely for the hotel, eat breakfast in Circa 31 and dinner in the Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant, and sit on the porch. If that’s not a great testimonial for the inn, I don’t know what is.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you are an early riser, coffee, tea, and packaged muffins are in the lobby. Make your selections and head out to the front porch and watch the sunrise. You won’t be disappointed.
Hotel Amenities at the Mimslyn Inn
- Complimentary WiFi access
- Individual climate control
- Flat-screen TV
- Seasonal Outdoor Pool, Year-Round Hot Tub
- Event Space
- Restaurants
- Lounge Area
- Fitness Centre
- Outdoor Firepits
- Walking Paths and Gardens
- Caverns and Parks
- Biking, Hiking, Kayaking, Golf nearby
We stayed in a King Blue Ridge suite with a pool view – Suite 104
- Complimentary WiFi access
- Individual climate control
- Flat-screen TV
- Lounge Area
- King Sized Bed
- Jet Tub
- Electric Fireplace
Circa 31 and the Speakeasy – Dining at Mimslyn Inn
Circa 31, accessed through the lobby, is open only for breakfast each weekday and brunch on the weekend. Available to both guests and the public, the elegant dining room has large ceilings with grand chandeliers. Serving typical breakfast fare. We didn’t eat breakfast here as we had other plans.
Note: there are four steps up from the lobby to reach the dining room.
We ate dinner in the Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant, located on the lower level of the Inn and accessed by the circular stairway in the lobby or via elevator.
A casual restaurant, I suggest that you dine early or make reservations since the restaurant is open to inn guests and the public. We were there on a Wednesday, and it was their weekly charity night dinner where steaks are sold by the ounce, and a portion of the proceeds goes to local charities. This evening was also live music night, so the restaurant and bar were jam-packed with hotel guests and locals.
Luckily, we arrived on time to get a booth and found our waiter friendly and courteous. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, the entertainment, and the service, retiring for the night with full bellies—too full to taste any of the made-in-house (including the ice cream) desserts.
Here’s what we ate at the Speakeasy
Honeyed Goat Cheese and Virginia Ham Flatbread
- Honeyed goat cheese, garlic mustard spread, caramelized onion, Virginia ham, mozzarella cheese, arugula, and balsamic vinegar
- We devoured this – it was delicious.
Steak with mushrooms and baked potato
- The wine jus was so delicious, with a slight sweetness.
So, the next time you pass by Luray, Virginia, don’t rush; take some time to visit the Mimslyn Inn and sit a spell in one of the rocking chairs on the front porch. If whittling is not your cup of tea — try napping. You just might like it.
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- A Pleasure House Oysters Tour in Lynnhaven, Virginia
- Brunch, Bikes, and Brews at Caboose Brewing Co. Vienna Virginia
- Guide to Renting a Bike on Vacation in Virginia and DC
- Sew Inspired at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, Virginia
Travel assistance was provided by Virginia Tourism and Luray Caverns. All opinions are entirely our own.
