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The Rotunda
Monday, July 7, 2025

The Weyanoke not a “cookie cutter” hotel

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Hotel Weyanoke

Originally opening in 1924, The Weyanoke Hotel has been renovated to open in “mid to late March (and) certainly by April” of 2018, according to John Shideler, general manager of The Weyanoke.

The hotel was formerly used as apartments for Longwood University students prior to its closing in 2016, according to Shideler.

“What’s great about this project is that it’s bringing something back to life,” said Shideler.

“The Weyanoke will really become a destination hotel with great food on site and easy access to the increasingly vibrant downtown and being a neighbor to Longwood and the energy of campus will be a real draw for Farmville visitors,” Ross Fickenscher, co-owner of The Weyanoke, said in a Longwood press release.

The hotel has:

  • 70 rooms
  • Each floor has nine rooms
  • Five different room layouts-queen, double queen, king, junior suite, two room suite
  • Each room has own bathroom with walk in shower
  • Adjoining individual rooms
  • Two elevators
  • Valet parking for guests

The annex, the back end of the building connected via glass breezeway, will allow for each room to have a balcony and hardwood floors while others in the front end hotel have carpet, said Shideler.

Each room will have their directory on a mini iPad, according to Shideler, something that will differentiate the hotel from other chains.

“They get outdated and the hours of operation change,” said Shideler referring to directories in other hotels.

In addition to the hotel, the space will host Sassafras, an upscale coffee and sandwich shop, Effinghams, a coal-fire pizzeria and Campanga, an Italian restaurant to serve the Farmville area.

According to Shideler, these restaurants will bring a new dining experience to Farmville.

The lobby of the hotel will host a gift shop where guests can buy items from the Farmville area.

“We (The Weyanoke) are really utilizing the community,” said Shideler.

The mugs in each room were made by Mainly Clay and stamped with the Weyanoke logo, the furniture was purchased from Green Front Furniture and guests can rent bikes provided by The Outdoor Adventure Store, said Shideler.

Shideler emphasized the thought that was put into the planning of the renovation to accommodate all the needs of the guests. Each room has a tv, differing in size depending on the room, dimming lights, closet lighting and automatic lighting in the bathrooms.

The king floor plans also accomodate for traveling couples, Shideler described as a norm to the Farmville area.

Shideler noted the “place to be” is the rooftop bar, Catbird, that will have patio furniture and a full wrap around bar.

“It’s not your typical cookie cutter hotel,” said Shideler when comparing to other hotel chains.

The 13 million dollar investment is for the renovation itself.

“It’s a lot easier to knock the building down,” said Shideler referring to costs.

The Weyanoke will add to Farmville’s hotel community opening this year with Tru by Hilton and The Holiday Inn Express and Suites.

The Weyanoke is located at 202 High Street Farmville, Va. 23901.

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