A giant pink glass bunny greets guests at the entrance of Glass Light Hotel and Gallery, offering a warm, creative welcome to one of Norfolk, Virginia’s most stylish hotels. Designed to house an ever-expanding collection of unique and ornate glass held by the proprietors, the Perry family, the hotel is brimming with one-of-a-kind pieces from artists like Dale Chihuly, Peter Bremers, and Stephen Powell. The effect is striking, especially set within the circa-1910 building.
Glass-blowing themes stretch throughout the hotel. There are two bunnies (a second one lounges just behind the bar), a display of pieces lining the event meeting space, and blown-glass carrots in every room. Art infuses just about every corner of the property: Behind the front desk, wooden staves mimic a kiln, and art in the rooms hint at the colored glass rods used in glass blowing. Just beyond the bar area, there’s a striking gallery adjacent to the hotel that showcases more than seventy pieces from the Perry family’s personal collection. Modern with a few Art Deco touches, the hotel serves as an elegant jumping off point for exploring this coastal city’s charm.
The Food Scene: The new American menu at the hotel restaurant shines, thanks to executive chef Tichafa Chingombe and sous chef Jeffrey Jolivain. Inside the smart-looking lobby restaurant, the art on the plate matches what’s in the room—and if you snag seats at the Chef’s Counter, overlooking the kitchen, you can watch the artists at work. Look for bar bites like parmesan-dusted pommes frites and beef carpaccio with basil pesto. For dinner, there’s crispy octopus, a tamarind-glazed pork chop, and seafood pappardelle—if you plan ahead, you can also reserve seats for a chef’s tasting that allows you to try dishes from across the menu. The restaurant is also open for breakfast with light bites like avocado toast and omelets. The cocktail list, meanwhile, leans into the hotel’s artistic undertones with drinks like Violet, Blue, Magenta, and Red, which happen to match what’s in the glass.
The Digs: With some of the best views in town, the spacious guest rooms at the Glass Light hotel feel like floating artist studios. The stark white bed linens, walls, and painted brick allow details like the artwork, royal blue chairs, and globe lighting to pop. Request a room with a stand-alone tub with views overlooking the city.
The Neighborhood: Crowning downtown’s Grandy Street, Glass Light sits at the heart of the city’s business district. To continue the glass-as-art theme, take a 15-minute walk to the Chrysler Museum. There, visit the Perry Glass Studio along with contemporary and historic art. Or, explore the city’s military roots with a visit to the maritime museum, Nauticus, and the Battleship Wisconsin.
