Norfolk, Virginia, was founded in 1682; the mermaid logo that can be found adorning signs and buildings throughout the city is testament to its maritime past. A visit to Norfolk would not be complete without a tour of the battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin and the Nauticus Maritime Center, but fans of the colonial United States will also find a good selection of small hotels that represent Norfolk's history.
In the center of Norfolk's theater district, the Tazewell Hotel was established in 1906 and was the first hotel in the city with air conditioning and elevators. The building is on the site of the former home of U.S. Senator and Virginia governor Littleton Waller Tazewell, and was painstakingly restored in 2000. The hotel's 58 rooms and suites are equipped with hairdryers, coffeemakers and ironing boards.
Tazewell Hotel and Suites
245 Granby St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-623-6200
thetazewell.com
Local legend has it that Page House is haunted by the mother of the original owner of the Inn, and some guests swear that there is a cabinet door in the parlor that swings open on its own from time to time. The Page House Inn was built of Flemish block in 1897 by Herman and Adella Page, whose son was the first postmaster general of Norfolk. Today the inn seems likea step back into the era of southern hospitality that begins the moment you are greeted by innkeepers Charles and Debbie. There are seven rooms, three of which are suites, one with a Jacuzzi (the Bathe Suite). Each of the other rooms and suites is named for a Page family member: Mistress Adella, Mr. Herman, Miss Diane, Master Percy, Master Lawrie, and Missy Hulda. The establishment offers Wi-Fi, linens with lace borders, luxurious robes and a never-empty candy dish, as well as bicycles and lawn games for the more active guests.
Page House Inn
323 Fairfax Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23507
800-599-7659
pagehouseinn.com
Built in 1897, the Freemason Inn was voted #6 out of 50 great places to stay by "Washingtonian Magazine" and is considered a destination inn for weddings and other special occasions. There are only four rooms, each with a four-poster bed, fireplace, down pillows, 600-thread-count linens, slippers, silk chenille robes and a two-person Jacuzzi tub. Room prices include a three-course breakfast that can be served on a breakfast bed tray if you wish.
Freemason Inn
411 West York St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
866-388-1897
freemasoninn.com
