NEW ORLEANS, LA – March 25, 2022 – Housed in the historic former Miller & Rhoads department store, the 250-room Hilton Richmond Downtown announces the completion of an extensive renovation. This includes a new stylish lobby bar and lounge, Gather & Hem, and a unique new hybrid meeting space called Ensemble, as well as refreshes to the property’s fitness center, indoor pool and guest room bathrooms.
“This renovation will significantly enhance the guest experience and serve the needs of savvy business and leisure travelers,” said John Cario, General Manager. “Given the property’s history as the iconic Miller & Rhoads, we knew the importance of preserving its unique character while ensuring modern day relevance. The new Gather & Hem bar, in particular, features nods to the property’s past culture of millinery, tea and retail creations and offers a vibrant new space for dining, working and relaxing.”
DESIGN
Owned by Rockbridge and managed by HRI Lodging, LLC, Hilton Richmond Downtown is inspired by the architecture and historic significance of the original Miller & Rhoads department store building. With interior design led by Baskervill, the renovation showcases the mercantile monument’s rich history, highlighting the classic geometry of revival architecture against prints and motifs popular in modern fashion. Throughout the hotel’s public spaces, playful patterns add to the tailored, yet warm ambiance that’s rooted in comfort and accentuated by statement lighting and rich fabrics. Framed art pieces by contemporary artists brings bursts of color and celebrate Richmond’s modern culture and unity.
STAY
Ideal for both business and leisure travelers, Hilton Richmond Downtown’s guest rooms provide spacious accommodations with many the hotel’s rooms featuring the building’s original high ceilings and large windows with incredible views of downtown. Updated guest room bathrooms now include stylish new glass showers, backlit mirrors, sleek vanities, and updated tiling to elevate the guest experience. Each room offers comfortable workspaces, 55” HD TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, a mini refrigerator, and a coffeemaker. For recreation, Hilton Richmond Downtown’s fitness center now includes brand new state-of-the-art equipment such as stationary bikes, treadmills, elliptical bikes, free weights and more. The property’s large indoor pool has been beautifully refreshed with new paint and pool side furniture for lounging.
EAT
The stylish new Gather & Hem bar and lounge on the hotel’s main floor greets guests with a color palette of greens, tans and browns complemented by playful geometric details, gold finishes and rich wood accents. The bar’s intimate entry evokes the sense of peering through a display window into the space, like shoppers would have when walking by Miller & Rhoads in its time. Classical architecture and nuanced nods to the floor’s history as a millinery punctuate the space. Communal bar and tea tables add a pop of fun to the space, featuring bold black-and-white patterns found in both classic and modern fashion. Guests at Gather & Hem can enjoy a selection of small plates, 20 local craft brews and creative cocktails. The hotel is also home to La Grotta restaurant, offering elevated Italian dishes and an award-winning wine list, and 1885 Café & Market, serving up hot breakfast and a range of regional dishes with a modern twist.
MEET
Hilton Richmond Downtown provides more than 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space that includes two ballrooms, one of which offers natural light and a view of Richmond’s Carpenter Theatre through a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel’s new hybrid meetings space, Ensemble, provides a residential-style space for groups and private events. The new 1,400-square-foot meeting room features an open collaboration space with chairs, plush banquette seating with tables and a projector display. There’s also a full kitchen and dining area and a private breakout space with a TV and conference table, plus a cozy collaboration space for networking and meetings of all sizes.
Hilton Richmond Downtown is located at 501 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219. The property is just 7 minutes from Richmond International Airport and near key local landmarks including James River, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
