Discovering Charm and Relaxation at The Historic Mimslyn Inn Near Luray Caverns

Our weekend at the Historic Mimslynn Inn in Luray, Virginia felt like stepping into a beautifully preserved postcard from the early 20th century. Tucked among the rolling hills just minutes from Shenandoah National Park and the Luray Caverns, the 1906 Colonial Revival mansion greeted us with its grand white columns, wrap-around porch lined with rocking chairs, and a red-brick façade that practically glowed in the late-afternoon sun. Every detail inside (heart-pine floors that creaked in the most comforting way, original crown molding, and a sweeping oak staircase) made us feel as though we’d been invited to stay in someone’s elegant, slightly magical family estate rather than a hotel.

We spent hours simply wandering the public rooms: the parlor with its massive stone fireplace, the library filled with leather-bound books and quiet corners perfect for reading, and the sun-drenched dining room where the innkeepers served a breakfast so generous (fluffy buttermilk biscuits, local sausage, fresh fruit, and strong coffee) that we barely needed lunch.

The highlight, though, was the pool. Hidden behind tall boxwoods and overlooking the Blue Ridge in the distance, the large saltwater pool was impeccably clean and surprisingly uncrowded. We floated for hours under a cloudless sky, the water cool against the late-summer heat, then dried off on the surrounding flagstone terrace with iced tea from the honor bar. Evenings brought fireflies and the soft clink of glasses as other guests gathered on the porch, swapping stories about their cavern tours and Skyline Drive hikes.

Kate and I agreed it was one of those rare places that feels both luxurious and genuinely welcoming. Leaving on Sunday morning was genuinely hard; we’re already plotting our return to Mimslynn the moment the leaves start turning next fall.

Enjoy the photographs..........