101 W. Franklin St.
649-4750
jeffersonhotel.com

Second Place: Linden Row Inn

Third Place: Omni Richmond Hotel

It's still one of the county's most iconic hotels. Built by Richmond tobacco baron Lewis Ginter — he invented the pre-rolled cigarette — the Jefferson once featured alligators in the lobby's pool, and the critters occasionally wandered off and scared the guests. The hotel was restored in the early 1990s, with more renovations coming a decade later, and it remains one of the great architectural gems the city has to offer. The hotel's current owner is billionaire William H. Goodwin, another serial entrepreneur. Did we mention the grand staircase is said to have inspired the one in "Gone With the Wind?" Now if they'd just bring back the 'gators.