What The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center does

The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center is a privately held historic boutique hotel and conference venue located in Staunton, Virginia, on more than 80 acres of rolling Shenandoah Valley terrain. The property was originally constructed between 1825 and 1828 as the Main Administration Building for Western State Hospital, designed by Dr. Frances T. Stribling and later renovated by architect Thomas R. Blackburn (a protégé of Thomas Jefferson) in the mid-1830s; the building later served as a hospital, then a medium-security prison, before being acquired by Miller & Associates in 2006 and redeveloped into its current form. The hotel opened in June 2018 as a 49-room boutique property, with the Conference Center and Spa following in September 2020. Operationally, the property functions as a unified hospitality platform combining overnight accommodations, food and beverage, full-service spa, and event venues, supported by a cloud-based property management system (StayNTouch), a Windsurfer CRS booking engine, and OpenKey contactless mobile key technology.

The business generates revenue from five primary streams. (1) Guest room accommodations across 49 uniquely designed rooms and suites (Deluxe Queen, Deluxe King, Classic Queen, Cozy Queen, suites with soaker tubs, Queen Suite with sleeper sofa, The Penthouse at The Lofts, and ADA-accessible rooms). (2) Food and beverage through Second Draft Bar & Bistro, which serves locally-sourced breakfast seven days a week and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, with room service and full catering capability. (3) Spa services at The Spa at The Blackburn — a 2,500 sq ft facility with four treatment rooms offering massages ($50-$335), facials, steam treatments, reflexology, and nail services. (4) Meetings and event venue rental, encompassing The Great Hall (3,900 sq ft, capacity up to 400 for holiday events), Gallery 1828 (2,100 sq ft), the Penthouse, an outdoor gazebo, and 80 acres of outdoor grounds, targeting corporate groups (20-200 attendees), weddings, and nonprofit events. (5) Packaged offers bundling rooms with breakfast, extended-stay discounts (22% off 3+ nights), AAA/military/senior rates, and destination partnerships with Virginia Scenic Railway and Barren Ridge Vineyards.

Distribution is anchored by direct booking through the official website and phone reservations, supplemented by third-party online travel agencies and co-marketing partnerships with Visit Staunton, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and regional cultural attractions (American Shakespeare Center, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library). The customer base is segmented primarily into leisure travelers and couples (primary), corporate and business groups (primary), and wedding and social event clients (secondary), with secondary segments for value-conscious travelers and wellness/spa guests. Geographic focus is domestic and regional, leveraging proximity to Washington D.C. (under 3 hours) and Richmond (under 2 hours). Ownership rests with Robin Miller and Miller & Associates, with Brooklyn Kennedy as General Manager and Anna Taylor leading PR and Marketing. An announced expansion — 'Blackburn South,' adding 42 additional guest rooms and scheduled for a 2027 opening — represents the most material forward growth signal.

Name

The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center

Legal name

The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center

Website

https://blackburn-inn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center is a privately held historic boutique hotel in Staunton, Virginia, operating 49 guest rooms, a 6,000 sq ft conference center, a full-service spa, and an on-site restaurant on 80+ acres of Shenandoah Valley property.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boutique Hotels and Hospitality Services

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111)

SIC

Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic/Heritage Conference Hotels (THAGALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integrated Full-Service Hotel Complexes (Mixed-Use) (THAGAAAL), Hotel & Resort Convention Venues (Convention Hotels) (THAHAAAC)

Keywords

• Boutique hotel accommodations
• Conference event venues
• Historic hotel hospitality
• Full-service spa services
• Restaurant and catering

Headquarters

HQ city

Staunton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Guest Room Accommodations: 49 guest rooms and suites including Deluxe Queen, Deluxe King, Classic Queen, Cozy Queen, Deluxe Queen/King with Soaker Tub, Queen Suite with Sleeper Sofa, The Penthouse at The Lofts, and Accessible Deluxe Queen rooms. Room rates vary by season, room type, and package selected. Average stay duration 1-3 nights for leisure travelers.
2. Food & Beverage - Second Draft Bar & Bistro: On-site restaurant offering breakfast (Mon-Thu 7-10am, Fri-Sun 7-11am) and dinner service (Friday and Saturday). Room service available during bistro hours. Local sourcing from Shenandoah Valley farms, breweries, and wineries. Revenue from dine-in, room service, and catering for events.
3. Spa Services: The Spa at The Blackburn offers massages, steam treatments, facials, nail services, and reflexology. Services range from 30-90 minutes with pricing from $50-$335. Corporate massage program available for bulk purchases. Open Thursday-Monday 10am-6pm by appointment.
4. Meetings & Events Venue Rental: Conference Center and event venues available for corporate retreats, weddings, social events, and conferences. 80 acres of outdoor space plus indoor venues (The Great Hall, Gallery 1828, Penthouse, outdoor gazebo, chapel). Full catering kitchen services all venues.
5. Vacation Packages and Add-Ons: Bundled packages including Bed & Breakfast, Extended Stay (22% off 3+ nights), More Mondays (20% off Sunday), Queen City Package, Sip Stay Explore winery tour package, Train Adventure with Virginia Scenic Railway, and Dog on the Go pet package.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center operates a 49-room historic boutique hotel on 80+ acres in Staunton, Virginia, offering guest accommodations, an on-site restaurant (Second Draft Bar & Bistro), a full-service spa (The Spa at The Blackburn), and 6,000 square feet of conference and event space (The Great Hall and Gallery 1828). It also sells bundled vacation packages and supports event catering, weddings, and corporate retreats on the property.

Product overview

The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center is a historic boutique hotel property offering a unified hospitality experience. The core offerings include 49 uniquely designed guestrooms and suites (ranging from Cozy Queen to The Penthouse at The Lofts), the Second Draft Bar & Bistro restaurant serving locally sourced cuisine, The Spa at The Blackburn (a 2,500 sq. ft. full-service spa), and a Conference Center with 6,000 sq. ft. of flexible event space. These offerings are supplemented by vacation packages (bed & breakfast, extended stays, military/senior discounts), digital check-in services via Stayntouch and OpenKey contactless key technology, and various seasonal packages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Second Draft Bar & Bistro: On-site Southern-inspired restaurant named to pay tribute to architect Thomas Blackburn and his drafting tables, featuring locally sourced menus and indoor/outdoor seating.
• The Spa at The Blackburn
• The Great Hall
• Gallery 1828
• The Penthouse at The Lofts

Products and services

• Guest Rooms and Suites 49 individually designed guest rooms and suites blending historic 1828 architecture with modern amenities (rainfall showers, 12-foot ceilings, Keurig coffee makers, luxury toiletries). Room types include Deluxe King, Cozy Queen, Classic Queen, Deluxe Queen, Accessible Deluxe Queen, Deluxe Queen/King with Soaker Tub, Queen Suite with Sleeper Sofa, and The Penthouse at The Lofts. Targeted at leisure travelers, couples, and business travelers.
• Second Draft Bar & Bistro On-site Southern-inspired restaurant and bar serving breakfast daily (Mon-Thu 7-10am, Fri-Sun 7-11am) and dinner on Friday and Saturday. Menus are locally sourced from Shenandoah Valley farms, breweries, and wineries. Indoor and outdoor seating available; room service offered during bistro hours; catering services provided for events. Targeted at hotel guests, walk-in visitors, and private event clients.
• The Spa at The Blackburn A 2,500 square foot three-story full-service spa with four treatment rooms and a nail salon. Services include facials, reflexology, massages (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Signature, CBD, Arnica, Magnesium, Therapeutic, Couples), steam treatments (Ayurvedic, Himalayan Salt, Cupping), and nail services. Open Thursday-Monday 10am-6pm by appointment. Pricing from $50 to $335. Targeted at hotel guests, day visitors, and corporate wellness buyers.
• Conference Center and Event Venues 8,400+ square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space including The Great Hall (3,900 sq ft, capacity up to 400 guests), Gallery 1828 (2,100 sq ft), the Penthouse, an outdoor gazebo, a chapel, and 80 acres of grounds. Hosts weddings, corporate retreats, nonprofit events, conferences, and social gatherings for groups of 20 to 200 attendees. Full-service catering kitchen and event coordination provided. Targeted at corporate meeting planners, wedding clients, and event organizers.
• Vacation Packages and Discount Programs Bundled packages and discount programs including Bed & Breakfast Package (BAB), Extended Stay 3+ Nights (22% off, LTS rate code), More Mondays (20% off Sunday, MORE rate code), Queen City Package (Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library tickets + dining credit), Sip Stay Explore (Barren Ridge Vineyards tour), Train Adventure with Virginia Scenic Railway, Dog on the Go (pet package), AAA/CAA discount, Senior (62+) discount, Military/Government rate, and Business at The Blackburn (Sun-Thu). Targeted at leisure travelers, value-conscious travelers, and group bookers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Located less than 3 hours from Washington D.C. and under 2 hours from Richmond, VA
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• StayNTouchcoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud-based property management system provider enabling online check-in, reservation management, and guest service operations. Provides technology infrastructure for seamless booking and arrival experience.
• OpenKeycoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital key solution provider enabling contactless room access via smartphone NFC technology. Allows guests to bypass traditional front desk check-in and access rooms using mobile device.
• Virginia Scenic RailwayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVirginia's only regularly-scheduled sightseeing train operator. Combined package 'Stay. Ride. Relax.' includes overnight accommodations and round-trip tickets on Alleghany Special or Blue Ridge Flyer routes through Shenandoah Valley.
• Barren Ridge VineyardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal winery featured in 'Sip, Stay, Explore' package offering private winery tour and tasting. Located 16 minutes from The Blackburn Inn with award-winning wines and rustic tasting room.
• Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural attraction included in Queen City Package with two adult tickets to museum and guided birthplace tour. Located blocks from The Blackburn Inn in Downtown Staunton.
• American Shakespeare CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHome of the world-renowned Blackfriars Playhouse. Co-host of 'Shakespeare on the Lawn' events at The Blackburn. Guests can purchase tickets from hotel front desk for Shakespearean performances.
• Visit StauntoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Staunton tourism marketing organization. Provides visitor information, event listings, and promotional partnerships with local hotels and attractions for regional tourism promotion.
• American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)minorOthersSafeStay initiative participant demonstrating commitment to enhanced cleaning practices and workplace protocols for post-pandemic travel safety. Aligns with industry-standard health and safety guidelines.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 24 South Hotel: A historic boutique hotel located in Downtown Staunton, VA within walking distance of The Blackburn. Directly competes for the same leisure, wedding, and corporate group demand in the same micro-market, with a similar full-service boutique positioning.
• Hotel Georges: A restored 1840s boutique hotel in Lexington, VA operating as a Tapestry Collection property. Comparable historic-boutique positioning, on-site dining, and group/event capability in the Shenandoah Valley region.
• Keswick Hall: A historic luxury estate hotel near Charlottesville, VA with on-site restaurant, spa, and event venues. Comparable full-service historic property with diversified revenue streams (rooms, F&B, spa, weddings, corporate retreats) and similar scale of event space.
• Salamander Resort & Spa: A luxury resort and spa in Middleburg, VA offering rooms, full-service spa, equestrian facilities, and event venues. Comparable historic-property positioning with integrated spa, F&B, and large-scale event capability targeting weddings and corporate retreats.
• The Martha Washington Inn & Spa: A historic boutique inn in Abingdon, VA with on-site restaurant, spa, and event space. Comparable small-scale historic property with integrated amenities serving leisure, weddings, and small corporate groups in the Virginia region.
• Quirk Hotel Charlottesville: A boutique hotel in Charlottesville, VA featuring on-site restaurant, rooftop bar, art gallery, and event spaces. Comparable upscale boutique positioning, modern tech-enabled operations, and event/wedding capture within driving distance of the Shenandoah Valley.
• The Red Fox Inn & Restaurant: A historic 18th-century boutique inn in Middleburg, VA with on-site restaurant and event space. Comparable small historic property with leisure and wedding demand in the Virginia countryside destination market.

Broad incumbents

• The Omni Homestead Resort: A long-established historic resort in Hot Springs, VA with extensive spa, golf, dining, and conference facilities. A larger incumbent operating broadly in the same Virginia historic-resort space with overlapping wedding, conference, and leisure demand.
• The Boar's Head Resort: A larger resort in Charlottesville, VA with multiple restaurants, spa, golf, tennis, and 22,000+ sq ft of meeting space. A broader incumbent operating in the same Virginia historic-resort segment, serving overlapping corporate retreat and wedding demand.

Others

• Visit Staunton (Tourism DMO): The official Destination Marketing Organization for Staunton, VA. Included as a thematic/ecosystem peer given the formal co-marketing partnership; not a competitor but a distribution and demand-generation channel that shapes The Blackburn's addressable tourism funnel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theblackburninn
• Instagraminstagram.com/theblackburninn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center