Living in New York City comes with endless perks, but the one thing it always seems to be lacking is space. Quiet is a close second. So when I was searching for Airbnbs to stay in during a weekend trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, for a dear friend’s baby shower, the apartments and townhouses directly in the college town didn’t have much appeal. For that reason—and to be closer to some of the wineries my travel buddy and I wanted to visit—I expanded our search to include the wider Charlottesville area, and came across this gem of a property in Crozet, about a 35-minute drive away from the Downtown Mall.
To reach the rustic two-bedroom cottage, situated on a 400-acre farm, we drove down a long, unpaved dirt road—I’ll admit, a bigger car, or one with four-wheel drive, would have been nice, but ultimately wasn’t necessary so long as we drove slowly. Upon arrival, we could just barely make out the yellow house further down the road where the host family lives—it really felt like we were on our own endless stretch of land surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sounds of birds chirping and cicadas buzzing were the soundtrack of the weekend; it couldn’t have been more serene.
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Courtesy Airbnb
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Madison Flager
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Madison Flager
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Madison Flager
Airbnb
Idyllic Virginia cottage retreat
The home has a bit of a summer camp feel to it, with a badminton net out front (rackets can be found inside, near the wood stove) and a hammock, grill, and Adirondack chairs surrounding a firepit in the back. It’s the perfect place for slow, lazy mornings soaking up nature, sipping a cup of coffee while reading a good book on the screened-in porch. There’s an easel, canvas, and paints available for those feeling creative, and a shelf of board games and puzzles in the front hall closet. Given the remote nature of the property (the nearest general store is about a 15-minute drive away), if you plan to cook, you’ll want to stop somewhere bigger on the way in for provisions.
The host family has taken care to show off the area, with QR codes directing guests to playlists of local bluegrass music and a comprehensive guidebook with food, drink, and activity recommendations; we consulted it before heading to Pro Re Nata for pizza and live music, and were not disappointed.
For those looking to visit some of the area’s many, many wineries (as we were), you’re an easy drive away—we stopped by Stinson Vineyards, just down the road, before making our way closer to Charlottesville for the views, apple cider donuts, and Bold Rock cider at Carter Mountain Orchard.
Back inside our little weekend abode, there’s a cohesive hodgepodge of vintage furniture and decor—funky armchairs and layers of rugs that add a coziness to the space, Architectural Digest magazines from the ’80s, a coffee table that may or may not have once been a drum. There are two bedrooms, one on either floor, one bathroom downstairs, and a small office upstairs if work calls or the inspiration to write strikes (the desk is positioned right in front of a window overlooking the mountains). It’s a perfectly cozy space for two, though you could sleep up to four across the two rooms; past guests seem to include a mix of couples, small families, and groups of girlfriends.
The one thing we sadly missed: a chance to say hi to the family’s pony, Sampson, who roams the property along with two sheep (we did spot a herd of cows up the hill). All the more reason to make a return visit the next time I’m craving some peace and quiet.