![Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, who began designing and building Monticello at age 26 after inheriting land from his father. Located just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, in the Piedmont region, the plantation was originally 5,000 acres (20 km2), with Jefferson using slaves for extensive cultivation of tobacco and mixed crops, later shifting from tobacco cultivation to wheat in response to changing markets.
Jefferson designed the main house using neoclassical design principles described by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, subsequently reworking the design through much of his presidency to include design elements popular in late 18th-century Europe and integrating numerous of his own design solutions. Situated on the summit of an 850-foot (260 m)-high peak in the Southwest Mountains south of the Rivanna Gap, the name Monticello derives from the Italian for "little mount". Along a prominent lane adjacent to the house, Mulberry Row, the plantation came to include numerous outbuildings for specialized functions, e.g., a nailery; quarters for domestic slaves; gardens for flowers, produce, and Jefferson's experiments in plant breeding — along with tobacco fields and mixed crops. Cabins for field slaves were located farther from the mansion.
At Jefferson's direction, he was buried on the grounds, in an area now designated as the Monticello Cemetery. The cemetery is owned by the Monticello Association, a society of his descendants through Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson.[4] After Jefferson's death, his daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph sold the property. In 1834 it was bought by Uriah P. Levy, a commodore in the U.S. Navy, who admired Jefferson and spent his own money to preserve the property. His nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy took over the property in 1879; he also invested considerable money to restore and preserve it. In 1923, Monroe Levy sold it to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF), which operates it as a house museum and educational institution. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1987 Monticello and the nearby University of Virginia, also designed by Jefferson, were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6082929/fc297070-6be5-4ba5-8b01-2648f1f046f8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1200&h=500&q=medium)
Photo by Vin Lane-Kieltyka
Motels in Albemarle County
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Featured Motels in Albemarle County
Motel 6 Staunton, VA
Staunton
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (1001)
"Very nice hotel excellent staff conveniently located off i-81 very accommodating staff"
kashif
The price is RM259
RM288 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Dec - 30 Dec
Days Inn by Wyndham Charlottesville/University Area
The Meadows
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (1002)
"Great place to stay."
Lisa
The price is RM304
RM348 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Dec - 8 Dec
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg
6.8 out of 10, (1002)
"Excellent over night stay,,,,cleanliness of room and linens, excellent breakfast , friendly staff."
Jack
The price is RM238
RM267 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Dec - 11 Dec
Econo Lodge North
The Meadows
7.0 out of 10, Good, (1000)
"Room was very clean and the property was very quiet. "
Tiffany
The price is RM307
RM351 total
includes taxes & fees
12 Dec - 13 Dec
Super 8 by Wyndham Charlottesville
Hydraulic
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (682)
"Great place to stay "
Ronnie
The price is RM281
RM321 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Dec - 8 Dec
Days Inn by Wyndham Waynesboro
Waynesboro
7.0 out of 10, Good, (1002)
"I really enjoyed my stay."
Sampson
The price is RM231
RM257 total
includes taxes & fees
21 Dec - 22 Dec
Days Inn by Wyndham Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg
6.0 out of 10, (907)
"Yes very clean,nice people. Hotel part great new building."
Chris
The price is RM241
RM270 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026
Days Inn by Wyndham Staunton
Staunton
7.2 out of 10, Good, (1003)
"It was convenient for one night on our road trip. "
Jeanne
The price is RM300
RM334 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Dec - 9 Dec
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Top Albemarle County Hotel Reviews
Home2 Suites By Hilton Harrisonburg University
10/10 Excellent
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Lowest Price | RM227 |
Highest Price | RM605 |
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