Checking In: A Review of The Liberty Trust in Roanoke, Virginia

Welcome to Checking In, a series of posts dedicated to the places we stay when we travel.

I’m so happy to debut a new destination on wayward today: Virginia.

Although I traveled through the state as a young girl, a recent weekend in Roanoke was the first time I’ve visited The Old Dominion since starting this blog – a real tragedy, as it’s now our neighbor to the north! When setting sights on our first Virginia visit, we knew Roanoke was the answer (city and mountains? Yes please). And when staying in Roanoke, one boutique hotel instantly caught my eye: The Liberty Trust.

Note: Portions of our visit were generously hosted by The Liberty Trust, but as always, all opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE LIBERTY TRUST

The Liberty Trust is a 54-room historic boutique hotel located in downtown Roanoke, Virginia (and in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains). Completed in 1910, the First National Bank building was once the largest and most-technologically-advanced structure in Roanoke, boasting the latest improvements in plumbing, heating, and (still important to this day, as the building is seven stories) the electric elevator. The building’s prized features are not just hidden away inside the walls – with exquisite marble columns, shiny copper and brass tiling, and a carved rosette motif that runs throughout, the bank was an architectural wonder inside and out. The local newspaper’s report on opening day reads, “One enthusiastic admirer expressed the opinion that no bank in New York city [sic] has a home more attractive or up-to-date.”

A series of mergers and sales brings the building to more-recent history (the nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places is a fascinating read, and details some of these transactions), and its eventual renovation and reopening as a hotel. A portion of this process was documented for an episode of Salvage Dawgs on the DIY Network, and as a result of their efforts, many of the hotel’s original features have been maintained or repurposed. The Liberty Trust as we know it today celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, giving the more-than-century-old building a brand new identity and future. And thanks to the preservation efforts, guests have the opportunity to interact with many of these elements, such as the preserved copper doors to guest rooms, the vintage mail drop, and the soon-to-be-iconic lobby vault.

THE LIBERTY TRUST’S DELUXE KING ROOM

The Deluxe King Room at The Liberty Trust is infused with understated luxury while nodding to the building’s history. The spacious room offers sweeping views over the Blue Ridge Mountains, a comfortable king bed, a dedicated workspace, a sizeable bathroom with a walk-in shower, and more. With touches reminiscent of days past – a rotary-style phone, vintage-inspired radio, and a banker’s lamp – the design recalls the past while meeting the needs of the modern-day traveler.

AMENITIES AT THE LIBERTY TRUST

The Liberty Trust offers guests a range of amenities, both in-room and in the hotel. All stays include high-speed internet, access to a Fitness on Demand app with yoga mats and stretch bands available at the front desk, complimentary bottled water upon arrival, and a water bottle refill station in the lobby. In-room, guests will find luxury linens, Molton Brown bath products, a Nespresso machine and supplies, an electric kettle, a mini-fridge, an HD television, a pair of plush slippers, and more.

MY EXPERIENCE AT THE LIBERTY TRUST

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from staying at a property that is less than six months old, but from beginning to end my stay at The Liberty Trust was seamless. A few hours before the start of my reservation I received a helpful email with instructions for arrival and parking, as well as reminders on check-in/check-out times, current housekeeping policies, and more. As instructed, we pulled up to the 15-minute guest loading zone in front of the hotel on Jefferson Street before popping inside to check in. The Guest Service Agent was swift to help, explaining the procedure for parking and handing over the room keys. Luggage carts were offered, but with only a weekend’s worth of clothes, we decided to park and walk everything over in one go.

When we returned with our luggage, we took a moment to ~~gawk~~ marvel at the lobby before heading to the room. With soaring ceilings, glam decor, and the large vault serving as the centerpiece, the lobby beckons travelers to put down their phones and wander a little. Seeing the mechanics of the vault up close is an unusual treat, and a feature I’m glad was preserved. A much smaller (yet no less delightful) presence throughout the lobby is art on loan from the Taubman Museum of Art; I’d love the chance to see how the pieces rotate over time.

Eventually, we made our way into the building’s original elevators and up to the sixth floor. The first thing I noticed upon opening the door to our Deluxe King Room was the amount of natural light pouring in. The large windows of the corner room offered sweeping views of the city and the Blue Ridge Mountains in two directions – even in the bathroom. The next thing I noticed was the sheer size of the room; with minimal furniture, there was plenty of walking room, as well as room for setting up the provided ironing board and luggage rack (for a video tour of the room, you can check out my Instagram highlight!). The mini-fridge and Nespresso machine were immediately put to use, storing lunch leftovers and caffeinating for unpacking our luggage in the large wardrobe and setting out for an afternoon of exploring Roanoke. The one thing I missed? A full-length mirror for checking my outfit before leaving.

After a late night of stargazing, I was eager to return to try out a hotel’s most important feature: the bed. As I’m no longer in my twenties, I seem to have lost the ability to get a good night’s sleep just anywhere I have enough room to spread out; I need a comfortable bed to get a sufficient amount of rest (and be generally nice to people the next day). Thankfully the king bed at The Liberty Trust delivers on comfort with the perfect combination of plushness and support. But I was a little surprised to find the bed was Euro-style – there’s no top sheet. It’s not my preferred sleeping style, but I still rested easily. I admit I felt a little nervous that there would be noise at night when I saw the hotel provides a set of ear plugs and an eye mask, but from our room on the sixth floor, I never heard anything out of the ordinary (though I always travel with a sound machine, just to be on the safe side).

Like with most of my hotel stays since the start of the pandemic, I’ve noticed there tend to be fewer staff working – but things at The Liberty Trust still seem to be running smoothly. Housekeeping services are available upon request (guests simply fill out a service request form and deliver it to the desk by 9 a.m.), but with such an already-spotless space and more than enough linens for the two of us, we felt it was unnecessary for our stay. But should we have needed anything, the front desk is always staffed and ready to help. I’m looking forward to seeing how this young hotel continues to grow – with such a stunning lobby, I think it has the potential to one day serve as the living room for the city of Roanoke.

THE LIBERTY TRUST FAQs

Where is The Liberty Trust located?

The Liberty Trust is located in the heart of downtown Roanoke, Virginia at 101 S Jefferson St, Roanoke, VA 24011.

Does the hotel offer parking?

Yes, parking is available one block away at Centre In The Square Garage with in-and-out privileges and is billed to the room at a rate of $8 per day. Simply pull a ticket when entering the garage, and bring it to the front desk for an exit decal each time you need to use the garage. When checking in and out, guests may use the loading zone in front of the hotel, and carts are provided.

What types of rooms are available?

Rooms range from a delightful Petite Queen to a Classic Double Queen to a Deluxe King – so no matter your budget or needs, there’s likely a room for you and your travel companion(s). And as some rooms are designated dog rooms, there’s even a room for you and your four-legged travel companion, too. Head here to learn more about each room type.

Have an event, or need more space? The Liberty Trust also offers room blocks and meeting spaces.

Does The Liberty Trust offer specials or discounts?

Yes, head here to see current discounts and special packages. Plus, with a registered I Prefer Hotel Rewards account, guests can receive exclusive discounts and perks like early check-in and late check-out.

What’s nearby?

Considering you’re in the center of downtown Roanoke, just about everything! The Liberty Trust is just a few blocks away from some of the Star City’s major attractions like the Virginia Museum of Transportation, O. Winston Link & History Museum of Western Virginia, Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke City Market, and more. Also within walking distance, you’ll find dining options from the traditional (Alexander’s, BILLY’S) to the contemporary (Lucky Restaurant, Leonore Restaurant). Start planning your trip to Roanoke today with my Weekend Getaway Guide!

Thank you to The Liberty Trust for generously hosting one night of our visit, as well as providing a sweet welcome treat!

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Did I miss your question in my FAQ section? What else would you like to know about The Liberty Trust?