Lodging
Built by the Scott family in 1890, this building served as a restaurant on the first floor and a hotel on the second and third floors. In approximately 1910, an addition was added which housed a barber shop. This gave the building its unique triangle shape. Over the years, the building has served as a beauty salon, the Greyhound bus depot, and was home to the Virginia Taxi Company. It is alleged that numerous people performing at the Masonic Theater also stayed here. Namely, Chubby Checker, Hank Williams, and Jackie Gleason.
The most recent owner of memory was Judge Newberry. He was the owner of the taxi company and was also a well-liked teacher in the Clifton Forge area. Judge passed this building on to his two sons.
The building remained vacant until 2012, when Richard Bannon purchased it. He noticed the building while having lunch at Jack Mason’s Tavern across the street. He was drawn to its unique gingerbread carvings and stained glass windows. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the first floor had fallen into the basement. After extensive renovations, the first floor opened with the Tea Room restaurant and Celtic 2 Scotch-Irish gift shop in 2012. In March of 2014, the second floor bed and breakfast was opened, featuring two bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own parlor and private bathroom with the original claw-foot tubs. Also, one of the units has a rear porch, complete with seating and a barbecue grill. The rooms are well-appointed with Victorian furnishings and queen sized beds.
Nestled in the beautiful mountains of Clifton Forge, Virginia, Hill Crest Bed & Breakfast is a luxurious, full-service bed and breakfast.
The Red Lantern Inn is a 100 year old building in downtown Clifton Forge that has been totally renovated into casual overnight accommodation. In addition to the 7 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths, guests will share several common areas – living room with cable TV, fully stocked kitchen with coffee available, laundry facilities, glassed in year round porch and a media room with big screen cable TV and WiFi. Guests like the openness and “homey” atmosphere. New pictures of the shared spaces, bedrooms and bathrooms have been added to the web site. Contiental Breakfast is available in the kitchen or you can bring your own and cook in the kitchen. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are always available and can either be brewed or made by the cup. From the Inn you can walk to restaurants, shops, the Alleghany Arts and Crafts Center, the Clifton Forge School of the Arts and The Mill, the C&O Heritage Railroad Museum, the Historic Masonic Theater and Amphitheater.
The Inn can be reserved by individual rooms, suite of two rooms or the entire Inn. Special prices are offered for reservations of more than two rooms and for the entire building. Starting in 2014, The whole Inn can only be reserved one weekend each month from April through October. The Red Lantern Inn is a great place for family reunions, class reunions, wedding parties and guests.
Make us your Alleghany Highlands home away from home….
You’ll need an Alleghany Highlands home away from home to rest up from all the area’s attractions, activities and events…Douthat State Park and our creeks and rivers offer fishing,hiking, swimming, kayaking. We have trails for bikers and hikers ranging from town to wilderness. Events and festivals include Gran Fondo, Iron Man, Fall Festival, Kriskindlemart and more! The Clifton Forge School of the Arts and the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center feature exhibits and offer workshops and classes. The Masonic Ampitheatre hosts a full season of music and drama, plus a bloody murder Halloween scare fest in the theatre itself. Don’t miss the C&O Historical Socitey’s model train ride and depot museum. CF’s restaurants and shopping are delicious. Dabney Lancaster State College is our neighbor, hosting conferences and events as well as coursework.