If You Need to Get Away: Shenandoah Crossing

Shenandoah Crossing is a hidden jewel. This beautiful property is situated along the picturesque backdrop of the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River. The campus is located in Gordonsville VA, and it is well off of the beaten path. The nearest stores are about 15-20 minutes away, so you have to be happy with the onsite offerings if you do not want to have to drive very far for entertainment/shopping. The property offers a number of well-done amenities including a gym, horse stables, putt-putt golf, pools and hot tubs, an arcade, a general store and a bar/restaurant. 

At check-in you receive a schedule of events for the week that range anywhere from free-$20 per person. My fiance and I noticed there were cool things going on during the weekdays before our check-in, but not much else during the weekend. Monday-Thursday they offered craft-making, tours, and various other activities for guest to enjoy.  It would have been nice to have the option to participate in more activities led by the property. We were disappointed there was no opportunity to make smores onsite. 

Gordonsville is not a "destination" so there isn't much to do in the surrounding area. There is, however, an "old town" area about 10 minutes away from Shenandoah Crossing. It is cute, but fairly tiny...only about two blocks long. There's more to do in Orange, VA. Charlottesville is about 45 minutes away.

On Saturday morning, we visited the stables and watched the ducks, peacocks, and horses stretch their legs and enjoy their first meal of the day. We noticed how clear the paths were and wished it were a bit warmer for a nice walk. It was quite chilly out, so we did not take the wagon ride like we had planned. It was reasonably priced at $10 per person. For Veterans Day they offered pre-packaged mini muffins and juice to guests, but because breakfast isn't usually offered for free it caused a bit of a feeding frenzy. 

The rooms in the lodge were small but cozy, and we loved the nice firm beds. There isn't much counter space between the bathroom and the sleeping area. The "closet" is an old-school, standalone chiffarobe. It can't hold much. We didn't make use of the drawers. The TV was nice, but the channel selection left a lot to be desired. It was nice having a mini fridge and coffee maker in the room. Kind of wish we had a microwave as well. 

The lobby of the lodge is quite inviting. We spent a bit of time lounging by the fireplace in rustic rocking chairs while sipping wine. Unfortunately, we didn't hang by the bar during our stay or eat at the on-site restaurant. 

I imagine this would be a great place for a family vacation during the spring, summer, or very early fall. You have your pick of a spiffy cabin, luxury yurt, or room in the lodge - all in one property. Bluegreen is a known resort for those who own RVs. You can pull up, park, and utilize the campus. 

This place also tries to convince you to participate in the timeshare presentation. I think we might sit-in on it to get an idea of the amenities offered to those who buy in. I have never ever participated in a timeshare presentation, and as someone who loves travel - I want to see what all the fuss (and complaints) are about.

In my opinion, if you need to get away, Shenandoah Crossing is reasonably priced, offers decent amenities, and isn't too far from MD or DC. We booked for $50 (a special found on Booking.com) a night and wanted to celebrate our anniversary last November, so we felt it was worth the value we paid. Though we probably received a great deal due to the off-season pricing, we would probably only go back during the warmer spring or summer months. 

This is not an endorsed post. I used my own money to pay for this trip. Below is my honest opinion of my experience.

Where are your favorite VA getaways? I would love to visit them!

Images from booking.com.