Venues & Event Spaces near Sandston, VA

“Less than a mile from the airport

Safety: Can only get in and out of the front door.

Food and drinks: They only offer a buffet at breakfast $17.99.
You could get a small sandwich at small store if you wanted.”

“There are simply not words in the English language capable of expressing how overjoyed I am that my husband and I elected to have our wedding at The Renaissance. We live in California, but our families live in North Carolina and Virginia, so immediately after getting engaged I began to stress over how I was going to plan a wedding from nearly 3k miles away. The minute I met Tommy and Chef Jon at The Renaissance so much of that anxiety melted away. Not only is the venue beautiful (with ready made backdrops for photos everywhere, amazing windows, get ready rooms, and stunning carpeting), but the team was responsive, empathetic, and professional. Tommy answered my emails often faster than I could read them, took time to chat with me over the phone (and later through zoom) about what we wanted, and never tried to up-sell us. Instead, he would give his honest opinion about what he thought would look or feel best, and stepped back to let my then-fiancé and I decide. Chef Jon was an absolute delight on the initial tour of the building and at no point did we feel pressured to make a decision. We toured countless locations, but my gut kept bringing me back to how good my experience was with The Renaissance. After selecting them, I knew I had chosen correctly - they were there every step of the way, helping us to plan the wedding of our dreams (and in our budget). As we inched closer to the date, Tommy matched me with my wedding coordinator, Dani, and she too was a dream. She truly helped me to get my life in order and really let absolutely nothing fall through the cracks. Even when I wanted to panic about something, she wouldn't let me - she’d simply respond with all of the ways that they could make what I was worried about work (Tommy too!). Not only was the entire team warm (and funny), but I respected just how much they honored their word throughout the entire process. If they said it, they meant it - and when you're planning a wedding that is so valuable. My guests were astonished the day of. I've gotten so many compliments on Chef Jon's DELICIOUS food (his mashed potatoes are truly unmatched), as well as his support staff - who were respectful, efficient, and friendly. Further, he met the dietary needs of a few of my guests who had extreme allergies with no difficulty at all. My entire bridal party absolutely fell in love with Dani - she ran a tight ship, and from beginning to end with no one missed their mark because of her. We were all truly impressed how she managed to keep our fun-loving and unruly party together with care and compassion, rather than frustration. Tommy was sick on the actual day of my wedding, but he had coordinated things down to the very last detail, so while his presence was missed - nothing went awry. I've received compliment after compliment from my 200+ guests, and I left that beautiful venue on absolute cloud nine. I couldn't have asked for a better team or a better place to have my wedding. Over and over again I will recommend The Renaissance - it's a choice you could never regret.”

“As a guest at this beautiful mansion I was amazed by the staff, cleanliness, and the attention we received. Everything for the wedding venue and DJ went without any issues, it was truly a fairytale wedding to attend. The owners Martin & Paula were so wonderful to every guest.”

“This place is so lovely but even better…the service. The owner, Andrew, made sure we had everything we needed and couldn’t have been more accommodating. The space is great and has a really cute sitting area with modern furniture that added extra seating for our guests. The exposed brick looks great in pictures, not to mention great lighting overall. The location is perfect with convenient parking. If you’re in need of a venue to host a private event, baby shower, bridal shower etc…please check this place out. I give it 5 stars!!!!”

“One of the best venues in RVA.The studio is always a vibe: I’ve done a lot of work there through various albums and every single time I’m able to come out of there with so much more polished work than what I went in with.It’s a busy venue, sometimes I’ve had sessions when there was an event was happening out front and it never blended or bothered or got in the way. It’s always love here and if you’re looking to book any events or studio time I would 10/10 recommend this spot. Shout out to the homie Will and the team. One of the biggest contributions to the culture in Richmond, VA- CJ The Profit”

“We used Magic Events for the first time this year for a corporate picnic. Eric and the entire staff from the initial phone call until the end of the event clean up were so helpful, accommodating and just amazing to work with. Looking forward to working with them on an event in 2024!!!”

“Spacious venue with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and parking. Great wine selection, and some snacks for purchase- a perfect place to bring your own picnic for a fun afternoon!”

“Have only been here for FridayJazz Night. The performances are top class such as one might expect in the better clubs in a major city like Washington, DC. We are so lucky to have these local acts showcased here in Richmond. My only issue is available seating but I don't mind standing for the unbelievable price of $5!!”

“Loved It!! We got there kinda late in the day, I think it was right before they closed, so we ( my bf & I) were the only ones there. He's from this area & he's much older than I am so he enjoyed talking about some of the history he remembers being around for and I enjoyed listening & learning alot about the history of Richmond, Va and even more so about the history of him.”

“The previous tour had started just a little while before I got there. I choose to wait. And ended up being the only person on my tour! That was great!
My guide was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of my questions.
It certainly is a must see house. There are wonderful furnishings, many small items to be noticed.
What a fantastic place to look back in time.”

“The event was a perfect place. I just wish more people came out for the event and the people who did make it out just wanted the candy eggs so all us vendors lost money that day kind of sad..”

“This place is so great.I had a amazing time with my family in there.Great place to take the family.Richmond needs more places like this.Amazing location.I can't wait to come back.If your looking for a great place to for Family outings. And you can leave with pics to remember your amazing time.”

“This place is hopping - as it should be, the vicinity to some of the best local food and drink joints, the killer vibes, and the rustic surroundings make this square a winner. Magnum Approved.”

“Trinity Family Life Center ....Is my favorite place to go work out , it's Clean, Safe Environment makes it Easy to relax & feel Comfortable. They have Sanitizer spray so U won't have 2 Worry about Germs (COVID-19). The Receptionist at the Door & Staff members are professional , kind & polite. Being a member @ Trinity Family Life Center is Fantastic and it's very affordable. So if you want to get in shape , learn to dance , watch an organized Basketball tournament & meet good new people ...Come and join Trinity Family Life Center it'll be the best thing you've for yourself in a long time...PS... They have nice showers & lockers too !!! ????????????????????????????????”

“They have reopened as The Sandman Casino & Bar. Slots, Poker, Keno, and Pool Tables. Great food and beverages. Michael and Claire, the owners/operators, are on-site and are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Happy Hour 4-7 Wednesday thru Sunday. Texas Hold'em Tournaments nightly. We enjoyed an awesome burger with onion rings. The service for the food and drinks was very good. The clientele was well behaved and seemed quite pleased with everything. Pool is only a dollar a game. Plenty of slots, no waiting. The place is clean and well lit. Seating is new and comfortable. Check them out. You'll be glad you did.”

“70s vibes on point!!! We had an awesome time! Super clean and you can BYOB. A snack bar would be cool, but other than that, perfection. We are going to join this pool!”

“Huge Convention Center that hosts lots of events! There's plenty of space for so many different events to occur weddings, sporting events, celebrations, exhibitions. Exhibits, museums and so much more. There are several restrooms all over the venue. Definitely an ideal spot if you are looking for a large Convention Center to host an event or important date or moment in life”

“The independent pro shop in Bowlero is by far the best for customer service. The establishment of the bowling center is great, very friendly staff for a corporate center.”

“This is one of the nicest hotels I've stayed at. The front desk staff are very helpful, especially Anthony, who was able to answer any questions and even guide me to certain areas. The "Fall Line" has wonderful grilled salmon. Valet takes about 10-15 minutes, and you can request your vehicle online. Overall, I've enjoyed my experience.”

“Our wedding at the Hippodrome was truly unforgettable, thanks to the professional staff, stunning venue lighting, and seamless execution that exceeded our expectations. The beauty and joy of our special day were significantly enhanced by such a splendid backdrop, leaving us and our guests deeply impressed.However, we encountered challenges during the planning process, particularly with the bar service. The biggest notable concern was the miscommunication regarding the bar service options. Initially dissuaded from opting for an open bar, which we were led to believe would cost between $5,000 to $6,000, we chose a consumption bar based on the owner's advice where based on the duration of our event and the number of people, the subtotal shouldn’t be more than $3500 based off his experience. The owner did mention there was a caveat that it could be more with heavy drinkers but also heavy drinkers could make up for lesser drinkers, so we planned for it to potentially be somewhat higher. Maybe $1 or 2k over. However, the final amount seemed to be an extremely far cry from the estimate where, after speaking with guests, didn't seem to line up with how much was drank in reality to us. Unfortunately, the consumption bar led to an unexpected expense that more than tripled the estimated amount, and more than doubled the cost of an open bar amount due to some oversight and mistakes by the bartenders.Though the owner was quick to address and correct these mistakes, offering a partial refund, which demonstrated responsiveness and a willingness to correct mistakes, this highlighted a need for clearer communication and transparency in service offerings. Had we known that the estimate could potentially be so far off from the final total (even the corrected final total and considering tax and gratuity), we would have opted for the open bar option without a thought. I personally can't imagine our group drank that much more than the average wedding based off the original estimate we were given especially after conversations with some of our guests, in particular the ones I know will drink heavily at a wedding. Also factoring in the kids, the non drinkers, the guests who left early, etc., if I'm being totally honest, it all still doesn't sit super right with me. But we are grateful the owner was kind enough to correct the mistakes on the original bill.We recognize we are not free from blame. We blindly trusted and didn’t thoroughly read the final contract and notice that the selected bar option was marked as “unlimited” and that it did not have the limit we spoke about. Put that down to the stress and magnitude of the wedding, but we should have caught that. In a perfect world, the owner would've remembered our conversation and put the limit on the proposal without us having to follow up, but that just didn’t happen and we paid for it both literally and emotionally. It is what it is.Another point of frustration was the planning of the hors d'oeuvres menu, which was difficult to navigate and gauge quantities for. Despite this, the owner managed our budget and preferences well, ensuring guest satisfaction with the culinary offerings.Reflecting on our experience, we highly recommend future clients to closely review contractual details and advocate for clear, direct communication, preferably through calls to avoid misunderstandings, especially regarding costs. While we faced challenges, notably with the final cost of bar service, these did not overshadow the magnificence of our wedding celebration.We encourage future couples to engage closely with the venue's team, utilize transparent planning tools, and ensure (cannot stress enough) mutual understanding of all service details. Despite the hurdles, the charm and professionalism of the staff and the unique allure of the Hippodrome make it a venue we still recommend. Stay proactive in communication and budget discussions, and if you're content with the final contract details, you'll have the perfect wedding.”

“I stayed here for a conference a few days ago. I checked in after 10pm. The check-in process went smoothly and I want to acknowledge the receptionist staff who were on duty Sunday night (April 14, 2024) for their exceptional service. When I arrived to my room, I began doing inspections and sanitizing. I noticed bodily fluid-like stains on the beds. I normally bring disposable sheets and pillowcases, but of course there wasn’t a better time to forget them lol. Anyway I expressed my concerns with the receptionist, who contacted the custodial supervisor onsite at the time. I want to applaud the supervisor, Mrs. Patricia, who was responsive and rectified the problem by bringing in new sheets (fresh out of the pack) and ensuring the room was up-to-par. Mrs. Patricia also made sure that I was accommodated for the mishap, to which the receptionist staff offered complimentary breakfast (although the conference I attended there provided the same). Nonetheless, my stay was pleasant overall.Rooms: The rooms have an outdated feel, as far as furniture and setup. However, the rooms gave a cozy feel.Nearby activities: There are some really good restaurants within a mile of the hotel. I didn’t walk to them, but the restaurants are in walking distance. There are also historic sites and shopping opportunities to view within walking distance.”

“They are hosting an autisim society event and that is kind. Also want to give 5 stars for all the bigots in these comments. Keep doing what you are doing by making people feel safe and welcomed.”

“Just got the best and most sleep I had in over a month!! Great easy to get to location plenty of places to eat around as well as plenty of gas station options to refill. Miguel check-in was fantastic. The lady who I checked out with this morning was also awesome!

Room was more than adequate. I wasn’t doing any kind of cooking but the TV worked well. Shower was great. Bathroom was clean not much more I could ask for. This could definitely be a solid intermediate stop on my way up from Florida every time now.

Rooms: Equipped with full size fridge stove, micro so you can cook meals!”

“Honestly, if I were able to leave more than 5 Stars, I definitely would. The staff is amazing, so accommodating and over and above to so fantastic, to address the simplest issues, with a smile and utmost respect. I began in room 510, minor television issue, and I was promptly attended to. Miss Agnes Yeboah, I don’t even have the words to say how completely, awesome, and maintaining a smile, during an issue! She, (Agnes) remained composed and professional during, my new room assignment! Agnes even offered to help me move to my new room. I could go on and on about how she made me feel like a welcomed friend versus another patron checking in. Thank you Agnes! You’re an amazing kind, caring soul. Now onto, Mark, again, so hospitable, asking for input of how my stay was going! Mark has also got the personable demeanor, that is so welcoming and concerned about my opinion of my stay! Last but not least, my room attendant, Sierra, amazing, kind, sociable, asking me always as we passed one another if I needed anything. I absolutely would recommend Holiday Inn Express in Mechanicsville Virginia, for any traveller looking for MORE than a key card and being dismissed, once your checked in. I lived in Vegas 20+ years, and as far as hospitality, Vegas has nothing on this staff. I thank each and every one of you., I was fortunate enough to come in contact with! Lastly, the breakfast that is offered is fabulous! Thank you to the staff Holiday Inn Express, 7441 Bell Creek Road! Big hugs, and AGAIN! You All Are Rocking it!Kimberly”

“First of all, this location is amazing. It’s close to everything. The staff are all so friendly, especially the ladies working evenings. I fell in love with them. So sweet! The breakfast is fabulous! A nice hot breakfast. Rooms are great. Clean and up to date. The beds weren’t comfortable at all though. We all (husband and kids) slept poorly. The queen beds we had were all sagging in the middle and that’s really tough when you have two to a bed. The indoor pool was also freezing. But all in all I can’t complain because everything else was 10/10!”

“The entire staff was top notch and a special shout out to Bernard who checked us in a day early. He went to bat for us and very much appreciate it. That said, the doors on all three of our rooms bound up when closing and you had to throw them a light body check to open or close them and the pillows should have been replaced years ago. Overall, a pretty good experience but not a $200 per night room.”

“Our apartment complex AC broke on a Friday night and the rest of the weekend with temperatures reaching 118 degrees inside our unit. This place was a life saver for us! Clean/ quiet rooms with courteous and efficient staff! Decent rates too!

Rooms: Even the smallest unit was spacious, clean and with a workable kitchen. NO complaints!”

“Sunday Brunch was pleasant and calm. It was early, but it was perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. The biscuits were perfect (as was the omelets) and the drinks enjoyable. Eric was an amazing server.”