Richmond is about a 2.5 hr drive for us, so it makes for an easy weekend getaway. We’ve long wanted to see the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, and April is a great time for gardens in the South, so we made that our Sunday morning anchor point. On Saturday we explored the Scott’s Addition neighborhood, home to a variety of breweries and restaurants, plus street art murals. In between we checked out a few other spots including the bustling Carytown neighborhood, The Virginia Fine Arts Museum, and the Confederate Fort Darling with it’s commanding view over the James River.

For our overnight we stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Richmond/Glenside, a 10 minute Uber ride from Scott’s Addition. Our check-in was friendly and probably the fastest we’ve ever experienced. Additionally, the parking options were ample and free, which is always a plus considering how many hotels now charge for parking.

Our room was spacious, with a comfortable bed and an abundance of electrical outlets. However, we did encounter a few minor issues with the hotel, such as noise levels (the mini fridge rattled at night) and dated décor. On the upside, the hotel provided complimentary toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, and mouthwash, which was a nice touch.

We also enjoyed the breakfast, which had a variety of options including a waffle station (yum!), egg and biscuits, various bread, yogurt, cereal, and other items.

Overall, we had a comfortable stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Richmond/Glenside, and we would consider staying there again in the future.