Hotel Weyanoke recently announced that South Carolina-based Charlestowne Hotels, a full-service hotel management company, will assume management of the historic Farmville inn.

Richmond-based Aoss Ventures re-opened Hotel Weyanoke in May 2018 following a $12 million redevelopment.

Ross Fickenscher, one-half of Aoss Ventures development team, commented on the upcoming management change in a news release, “We have been open for less than (a) year and are blown away by how quickly the hotel has been accepted into this community. Charlestowne Hotels brings with it 39 years of experience in innovative operations management of luxury hotels. We believe their expertise will help us highlight the unique offerings of Hotel Weyanoke to a wider audience.”

Finkenscher and Aoss Ventures co-owner and fellow co-developer Garrett Shifflett purchased Hotel Weyanoke from a private owner for $950,000.

Hotel Weyanoke, named after the Native American tribe that settled in this area, enjoys a long and rich history. Built in the 1920s, it was considered one of the largest and well-appointed hotel and conference centers in central Virginia.

At the time of purchase the hotel was being used as student housing, according to Farmville Town Manager, Gerry Spates.

Today Hotel Weyanoke offers such amenities as 70 guest rooms, a rooftop bar, coffee shop, a coal-fired pizza restaurant and an Italian restaurant.

In a recent press release, Michael Tall, President and Chief Operating Officer of Charlestowne Hotels said, “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Hotel Weyanoke and the ownership. Across our portfolio, we’ve seen a significant rise in the interest of smaller, yet active, destinations like Farmville. Beyond closer markets like Richmond, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg, our goal is to broaden awareness for Hotel Weyanoke, and the destination as a whole, to travelers across the country.”

According to its website Charlestowne Hotels was founded in 1980. Over the nearly 40 years the company has been in existence it has worked to become “… one of the industry’s leading hotel management companies offering innovative, yet proven, expertise in hospitality operations, revenue optimization, and financial reporting.

Weyanoke general manager John Shideler has been working with a Charlestowne Hotel team as they transition into place. He talked with The Farmville Herald recently. “We are looking forward to the addition of Charlestowne Hotels and the management and marketing expertise they offer, especially in the area of hotel restaurant management,” Shideler said.

Jackie Mann, Junior Marketing Strategy Manager for Charlestowne Hotels commented via email to The Farmville Herald, “Several Charlestowne Hotels’ employees will be on-site over the next few weeks to ensure a smooth transition between management companies. Hotel Weyanoke employees will continue to operate the hotel and food and beverage outlets as they have been throughout the transition.”

The official transition, according to Shideler began March 1.

“Our rooms are already full of families and friends of Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College,” says Shifflett. “On any given Saturday, guests may use our courtesy bikes to ride the High Bridge Trail, tour the Moton Museum, or walk two blocks to shop for furniture at Green Front. We are excited about how this new partnership will grow our exposure as we work together to promote Farmville as the perfect weekend destination.”