Hillcrest Mansion Inn
1100 McCormick Boulevard • Clifton Forge, Virginia 24422
540-865-0350 • hillcrestmansioninn.com
Hillcrest Mansion Inn boasts that it is the perfect place to get “above it all.” And from its perch on a four-acre estate with a wraparound porch that allows guests to look down upon the town of Clifton Forge, Virginia, and the undulating hills beyond, the venue lives up to its acclaim. With seven bedrooms, each decorated in a different period motif, the brick manor house serves not only as a wonderful respite from everyday life, but also as a handsome setting for afternoon tea or a wedding.
When husband-and-wife Martha and Bruce Crawford came across a listing for an elegant historic home for sale and learned it was zoned to be a bed-and-breakfast, the couple promptly purchased the property, packed up their belongings, and moved across the country from their home in Colorado. Following a complete restoration of the house, the Crawfords opened Hillcrest Mansion Inn in 2014. While many aspects of the house were refurbished, the pair preserved several features that were added by the original owner in 1935, such as the oak flooring, the grand staircase, balustrade railings, and the majestic columns that flank the entrance.
Engaged couples will find the mansion’s Colonial exterior and charming interior offer a romantic ambience, while the lovely gardens provide a stunning backdrop for their celebration throughout the spring, summer, and early autumn. For those with a smaller guest list, the indoor event space comfortably fits wedding parties up to 100; and for those with a larger collection of friends and family, the exterior landscape offers plenty of room for up to 200.
Afternoon tea at Hillcrest Mansion Inn is held in high regard as a special occasion, as it is served only to parties of six or more and requires reservations to be made 48 hours in advance. Diners need not be lodgers at the inn to partake in this specialty offering, which would make for a great gathering to start off or conclude a commemorative wedding weekend. Guests of afternoon tea have a choice between two menus. The Cream Tea, at $26 per person, provides two servings of two different kinds of tea and scones, Devonshire cream, jams, and truffles. The High Tea, at $62 a person, presents a four-course meal that includes a scone course, a soup course, a savory course, and a sweets course.
“An afternoon tea at the mansion is quite the experience,” Martha remarks. “You are greeted at the door with a smile from our butler. Each course has a different flavor of tea and delicious food. Our butler will ring a bell and announce each course, describing what is placed before you. Believe me, you won’t be hungry when you leave.”
Not only does Martha wear the hat of innkeeper, but she also dons the proverbial chef’s hat, working hard in the kitchen to provide unique meals to guests, including for afternoon tea, and catering weddings held at the inn. She creates an assortment of hors d’oeuvres for a cocktail hour, a dinner, and the cake for each wedding. And since Martha prepares everything herself, she is able to make gluten-free and vegan options for diners upon request. As an added touch of elegance, both weddings and the tea service are served by staff dressed in proper attire, complete with white gloves.
“Hillcrest Mansion Inn is perfect for the bride and groom who want every detail taken care of with a formal touch,” Martha notes. “Many of our couples love the tea as their reception. Guests can relax and enjoy having a cup of tea with the bride and groom in a more upscale atmosphere. The tea is also an element of surprise for their guests rather than the traditional reception. We pride ourselves on the details of what kind of silver, crystal, china, and teacups are placed at your table for a full-service, sit-down affair.”
While the beauty of the overall structure enhances each event and afternoon tea, it’s the attention to small details and formal presentation that make Hillcrest Mansion Inn the trifecta for lodging, teatime, and weddings. And, of course, for couples not yet ready to escape the charming milieu of the inn, Martha and Bruce welcome newlyweds to prolong their stay for their honeymoon.
