The Martha, originally built in 1832 as a private residence for General Francis Preston, has retained much of its architectural integrity. The historic brick structure now serves as the central building of the hotel, with the Preston family's original living room as the main lobby. In 1858, the mansion became Martha Washington College, an upscale school for young women, operating through the Civil War and the Great Depression before closing in 1932. Converted into a hotel in 1935, The Martha has undergone extensive renovations in 1984 and 1995 to preserve its historic charm while updating its amenities.
The common spaces are anything but common. A grand staircase greets guests entering the hotel and the front desk is in a side, sitting room. Off the sitting room is the library where guests can relax by the fire, enjoy a game of chess, or peruse the more than 1,000 volumes in the collection. The entire hotel is decked with impressive artworks and a collection of memorabilia from the buildings past uses. We spent hours simply wandering the hallways reading letters from former Martha Washington College students, marveling at old photographs, and even found a few fun caricatures to delight us.
The 1995 renovations added the spa and pool, along with a two-tiered outdoor hot tub, which we thoroughly enjoyed (and afterwards adorned our Martha robes to head back to our room). At the same time, tennis courts (now with pickleball) and a mini-golf course were added. Owners created Sisters American Grill in 1995 and the restaurant serves breakfast for hotel guests and is open to the public for dinner. I recommend having a seat at the bar to meet a lively group of locals who frequent the establishment.
We stayed in room 430, a Superior 1 Queen room, which is cozy and comfortable for solo travelers or couples. Our view was of the courtyard, where a few restaurant guests dined al fresco the evening we arrived. A modern espresso-based coffee machine and ice is down the hall. From the Superior 1 Queen options range up to a three-room Family Suite.
At one point in its illustrious history, The Martha served as a home for the players appearing at the Barter Theatre across the street. Thespians like Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine, and Ned Beatty began their career here. Today, the Barter Theatre lays claim as the longest-running professional resident theatre in America, and it still produces shows throughout the year. The Martha is in the heart of Abingdon, walking distance to the farmer's market, the Virginia Creeper Trail, and historic old town shops and cafes (stop by The Girl & the Raven for serious baked goods and exquisite coffee).
Useful links
The Martha https://www.themartha.com/
Visit Abingdon https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/
The Girl & The Raven https://thegirlandtheravencafe.com/