“There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.”
Rates/Tuition
Main House (single occupancy*):
Less than 1 week: $75 per night
1 week +: $70
1 month +: $65
The Cottage (single occupancy*):
Less than 1 week: $100 per night
1 week +: $95
1 month (30 days) +: $90
*double occupancy is available in all rooms except the Jade Room. A $5 per night fee is added for double occupancy.
5% Lodging tax and all housekeeping services included in quoted rates.
Receipts for "professional development" are available.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made with 30 or more days notice will be refunded minus a cancellation fee of $10.
Cancellations made with 7 or more days notice will receive a credit toward a future stay minus a cancellations fee of $10.
Deposits due to snow will receive a full credit toward a future stay.
Amenities
Bed linens provided. Tissues, toilet paper, paper towels. Laundry facilities are on the premises. Writers provide their own towels.
Good drinking water from Artesian well.
Fast speed internet connection in all rooms.
A large well-equipped communal kitchen is available for writers to prepare their own meals whenever they like. (Complimentary tea, sugar, and basic staples). A grocery store is in the town of Lovingston, a 20-minute drive from the retreat, where you may purchase supplies before arrival at Porches.
There are elegant and comfortable common rooms. The writers refectory (dining room) provides refrigerators, microwave, Keurig, Coffee makers and filters, mugs, glasses, dishes/flatware, cooking utensils. You may enjoy taking your meals inside or out on the porches or grounds. TV and DVD in living room library.
Porches Writing Retreat currently offers four rooms in the main house and a private cottage.
The Blue Queen
The Dove Room
On the second floor, the Blue Queen Room and the Dove Room are spacious and light, lovingly restored. Each room offers elegant comfort, with original heart-pine floors, hand-blown glass windows, and high-ceilings. A queen size bed, antique armoire, writing desk, and comfortable desk chair, as well as reading chair and sofa. The wide upstairs porch runs the length of the house and overlooks the James River bottoms and distant bluffs.
The Jade Room
Treetops
The Jade Room and Treetops on the third floor have lofty views as well as lovely light. The third floor rooms share a newly renovated hall bathroom with shower. All the porches are accessed through the central hall. So all rooms may enjoy both upstairs and downstairs porches. Every room has ceiling fans, desk fans, and air-conditioning.
The Cottage
The Cottage A lovely private cottage with full kitchen and a full bath with shower and soaking tub. French doors open onto a deck overlooking distant wooded river bluffs. The cottage provides lots of natural light, a writing desk with comfortable desk chair, a very comfy reading chair, Queen bed, a modern kitchen, closet space, AC and wifi.
4 night stay minimum.