Why Travelers Are Flocking to This Once-Sleepy Town in Virginia’s Wine Country

Leesburg, long a sleepy hamlet in Virginia’s Loudoun County, is having a renaissance. Just an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C., yet firmly rooted in the countryside, the town is becoming a buzz-worthy destination equally suited for a day trip or a full weekend escape. Much of Leesburg’s renewed energy can be traced to Hotel Burg, a boutique hotel that opened in the heart of the historic town in August 2025—and that has given people a reason to not just pass through, but to stay a while.

Set in the heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country, the hotel leans deeply into a sense of place. Stepping inside feels akin to stepping into a Ralph Lauren shop window, with richly layered interiors accented in deep hued walls, plush velvet, flannel, and leather furniture, an eclectic blend of antiques, lithographs and sporting prints, and nods to the area’s equestrian heritage.

Hotel Burg is the vision of Kevin and Remington Ash, founders of the real estate development and design firm Madison Dale, and who wanted a create a gathering place their hometown, somewhere that celebrated and embraced Leesburg’s historical character while fostering a young community.

“A stay at Hotel Burg is an invitation to experience what we call ‘the style of a life well lived,’” says Remington Ash. “Much of what you see and feel throughout the hotel is inspired by our own travels—interpretations of the hotels, homes, food, and music that have inspired us over the years—reimagined through the lens of Virginia’s wine and hunt country. The result is an immersive experience that feels unlike anything else in the region, while still deeply rooted in Loudoun County’s heritage and natural beauty.”

For their first hotel project, the couple worked in collaboration with local design firm wldwst and renowned architect Michael Graves. Central to the project was an original 1885 historic home which was preserved and added on to in order to make room for a total of 39 guest rooms, a private members club, The Chase, a restaurant, The Huntōn, an all-day lounge, The Diana Lounge, and a rooftop bar.

Leesburg has long been defined by its absence of big-box stores and wealth of independent shops and businesses. Many of its daytime visitors have historically made their way to Leesburg for antique hunting at the renowned Lucketts Store, just outside town.

Before Hotel Burg, there wasn’t much of a reason to stay in town after shopping and maybe grabbing a quick bite to eat. Since its opening, the hotel has infused a fresh vitality in the town. Around the same time Hotel Burg debuted, a stylish new restaurant, Shutters on King, opened. Occupying a former antiques shop, the restaurant transformed the historical building into a multi-level dining and events space that nods to its past (think book-lined walls, color drenched rooms, and fireplaces) and serves a southern-inspired menu. Its dining rooms and bar have quickly become the town’s de facto living room.

Other beloved local brands have followed. Crème de La Crème, known for its European homewares, now has a Leesburg outpost. And today, the town boasts no fewer than half a dozen coffee shops, alongside trendy spots like Muz & Rose for vintage clothing and DIG Records for vinyl, which attract shoppers from across the region.

If Middleburg, a half hour away, has long been considered the queen of the county, Leesburg is emerging as her hip younger sister—approachable, edgy, and increasingly full of creative energy. And you might just want to stay the night.