Kimpton The Forum Hotel, the IHG Hotels & Resorts luxury and lifestyle brand’s first on-campus property, has opened its doors on the grounds of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
The five-story, 198-room Jeffersonian-style building has a modern interior and such amenities as morning coffee and tea service, evening social hour, a fitness center, pet-friendly accommodations, expansive suites, comfortable gathering spaces and more. The Forum Hotel’s exterior, with its stately white columns, red brick façade and stone accents, pays homage to the architecture of Thomas Jefferson’s Academical Village. The modern interiors offer subtle nods to the property’s location by incorporating university colors throughout. At the centerpiece of the lobby is a custom installation by local artist and university alumna Brielle DuFlon, who uses reclaimed materials in her work.
The guestrooms include robes designed by Darden alumnus Richard Loh, complimentary yoga mats, a minibar with treats from local businesses, including Gearharts Chocolate, La Vache Microcreamery Caramels and Three Notch’d Brewing Company, and bespoke bath products from Atelier Bloem.
Anchoring the on-property dining are Birch & Bloom, a modern steakhouse with regional influences, and The Good Sport, a neighborhood craft beer bar with brews and familiar bar fare. The Aspen Bar & Terrace, a centrally located cocktail bar, enlivens the lobby with a menu featuring creative riffs on the classics.
The hotel additionally offers over 22,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 6,000-square-foot ballroom, classrooms of various sizes, and a large lecture hall where Darden will regularly host courses and events. Additional meeting spaces include the arboretum boardroom overlooking the gardens, as well as an executive meeting room with an intimate wine room next door. For private dining and events, guests can reserve the L’Orangerie, a glass-enclosed solarium adjacent to Birch & Bloom. Located just behind the property are expansive botanical gardens and a five-acre arboretum with 17,000 square feet of outdoor function space providing lush greenery, walking trails that connect The Forum to UVA, a tranquil pond and several gathering places, including an outdoor amphitheater and 4,000-square-foot event lawn.
Good to know: All excess economic proceeds from The Forum Hotel will go to helping the Darden School achieve its mission via the Darden School Foundation.
For details, visit www.forumhotelcharlottesville.com.
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