The Best Vacation Rentals to Book in Virginia, USA

Just a short train ride away from Washington DC, this small but comfortable one-bedroom condo in Arlington is worth writing home about. The plush bedroom has a boutique-hotel feel, as does the living space with large warehouse-style windows. Excellent communal facilities include a rooftop sundeck and heated pool, a glam red theater room, a billiards table and areas for socializing if you want to meet anyone else.

You’ll easily make yourself at home at this welcoming, traditionally furnished and facility-laden set of Virginia vacation rentals. There are 36 condos, each with a well-equipped kitchenette with a fridge, a microwave and a toaster. The complex has an outdoor pool, a tennis court and plenty of bike trails to explore. It’s about a 10mi (16km) drive to Shenandoah National Park and just under a half-hour walk from Massanutten WaterPark, complete with a lazy river and a surf machine.

Ensconce yourself in wood as you make yourself at home in this spacious log cabin on the Shenandoah River. Take in stunning mountain views from your rocking chair on the covered porch. Other creature comforts include vaulted ceilings, a fully equipped open-plan kitchen and satellite TV. The cabin accommodates up to eight guests, but you’ll find the mezzanine nook above the living area a welcome respite from your other travel companions.

Every one of these charming pastel-colored cottages has a private waterfront terrace, from which you can witness a rocket launch from Wallops Island if you time your trip right and go fishing and crabbing if you don’t. Plus, you’ll only be 5mi (8km) from Assateague Beach and 3mi (5km) from the feral ponies at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Staying at these cottages means you get access to a gym, a hot tub, plus indoor and outdoor pools at the hotel next door, and you can come home to your walk-in shower to wash off your workout. It’s a win-win.

For a state built so much around its waterways, it would be fitting to be lulled to sleep by bobbing up and down on one. This colorful houseboat offers a unique experience. You can rest easy in the bright red bedroom with a double memory foam mattress. There’s also a turquoise kitchen, complete with a fridge and a stove. More mod cons include air conditioning and a washer and dryer. You’ll be moored at the Richmond Yacht Basin, just off the James River, about a 25-minute drive from Downtown Richmond.

These very cool and urban one-bedroom Virginia vacation rentals (within a former car dealership) are full of character. You’ll notice the original pine floors, high ceilings, wood beams and paneling, a historic car elevator and mechanical equipment. You’ll also get Hulu, a full-size kitchen stocked with utensils, tea and local coffee, two on-site restaurants (a taqueria and a barbecue joint) and an unbeatable location in downtown Salem.

Grab this authentic slice of Virginian Americana, sitting in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains on 6 acres (2ha) of luscious land. There is a wood-cabin theme in this Virginia vacation rental that sleeps eight, but luxurious flourishes abound, too. You’ll love the five-person outdoor hot tub with sprawling views, Keurig coffee maker and campfire pit. There are miles of private mountain roads nearby to hike among wildlife and nature, excellent wineries, plus Lake Arrowhead and the Shenandoah River for fishing and paddle-boat rentals.

This truthfully named rustic river cabin, sitting at the edge of the beautiful Shenandoah River, is a 20-minute drive from the Massanutten Resort, where you can go skiing. For your après-ski, the outdoor hot tub sits on an elevated deck overlooking the glistening river, and there’s an outdoor firepit for making late-night s’mores. Inside the homey accommodation, you’ll find a well-equipped kitchen, designer quilts, a flat-screen TV and a fireplace in the living room for nights when you want to bunker down.

This snazzy loft is located in the heart of Downtown Richmond, near Capitol Square Park. There are aesthetically pleasing touches, such as a wrought-iron spiral staircase leading up to a mezzanine balcony that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the kitchen and sitting room. The space is flooded with light and features cheerful artwork, which is fitting because the building is also home to Gallery 17 at the Mezzo, showcasing Virginian artists. Your booking also comes with access to the 24/7 fitness center just around the corner, and if you’re feeling friendly, the hipster coffee shop in the building is an ideal place to meet new people.