noplasticshowers

First off, NPS has a special place in its collective heart for Charlottesville, having graduated from UVa in the mid-80s with a degree in the lucrative field of Philosophy.  But that is neither here nor there.  Trips to c’ville happen every once in a while, and up until now there has been nowhere decent to stay.  See here for evidence.

Now there IS a very good hotel, situated fittingly up by the business school and the law school.  The Forum is where to stay when you need to be in Charlottesville.  And yeah, it’s a Kimpton but not like the real Kimpton used it be.  It is actually an IHG property with an echo of Kimpton charm in its chord structure.

We drove in through some very much needed rain that turned into a major thunderstorm delaying the show.  Our plans to “grab some dinner” on the walking mall were thwarted by the storm and by the fact that it was restaurant week too (who knew?).  So we got a bite at the hotel sports bar that was surprisingly good.  The negroni set was excellent. If only the TVs would all just disappear.

We were situated in a terrace king room 345 (maybe). The room was very nice, but the terrace was so wet we couldn’t really use it.

The bathroom is pretty not bad, and the shower is glass.

About the only thing to fix is the “roll up the sidewalk” time which seems to happen around 11pm. When you come in after a show at the Ting Pavilion and would love a nightcap and a midnight snack you are forced to raid the paltry minibar.

The best thing about our trip was the show. Andrew Bird and Nickel Creek all on stage together?! Holy cow. It was a magical evening. Pictures and videos from the show here.

After a nice stop at Greenberry‘s for strip mall breakfast, we drove home the back way through the stunning beauty of Virginia.

Four showerheads for the Forum. Step up the game on the bar and restaurant front, and know your guests! We will be back for sure.