The Publisher Hotel Writes A New Chapter in Downtown Fredericksburg

Though the hotel building is a new structure, The Publisher has deep roots in Fredericksburg. It sits on the former site of The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg’s daily newspaper, and is owned by Vakos Companies, a multigenerational, family-owned Fredericksburg business. “I worked with my grandfather, William Vakos, on this project, so I learned a lot about the hospitality business from him,” says Collin Vakos, vice president of development. “That was really special getting to spend a couple years working with him on it. He’s been ingrained in this community for decades.”

It was important to the Vakos family that the boutique hotel pay homage to the city’s rich history. “Bill [William] truly values historic architecture and wanted this building to be iconic and noteworthy in its own way but also wanted it to be quintessential Fredericksburg,” says Lee Shadbolt, principal at Richmond-based architecture firm Commonwealth Architects. This translated into a neo-Georgian-leaning architecture featuring red brick and white windows and trim. Inside, the property’s walls are adorned with historic black and white photos of Fredericksburg’s notable places, people, and events.

To create a modern design sensibility that winks to the past, the Vakos family worked with branding studio Arrival and interior design firm ai3. The spacious rooms, done up in shades of deep blue and satin brass accents, boast warm wood floors, high ceilings edged in molding, and a dazzling crystal chandelier.

Custom furnishings include a handsome desk, ideal for writing or working, and a wardrobe inspired by vintage luggage boxes. “It’s this idea that your clothes are also kind of part of the aesthetic,” says Ann-Marie Lima, principal at ai3. “It allows everything to be displayed, which is great for staying at a hotel.” The gorgeous, marble-tiled bathroom offers a luxurious rain shower and ample vanity area for primping, perhaps before you have dinner downstairs.

Even if you’re not staying at The Publisher, it’s worth visiting for a meal at Five Chophouse & Bar. Executive chef Christopher Ayala landed on a chophouse concept to create something elegant yet approachable, or what he calls “refined casual.” Steaks get top menu billing, including Maryland-sourced prime cuts like filet mignon and New York strip and a centerpiece-worthy tomahawk from Charity Hill Farms in nearby Ruther Glen, Virginia. If you want to go all out, order chef’s wagyu cut of the day, and Ayala, wielding a culinary butane torch, will personally torch your steak tableside. 

“It was really fun to create something that both the locals and visitors would use,” Vakos says. “Bringing chef Chris in, who is extremely talented, brings something new and energetic to the town.” 

Ayala and his team give seafood its due too, with a Chesapeake blue crab cake capped with fire-roasted corn relish and mains such as scallops and risotto or a whole branzino with salsa verde. “It’s how I grew up eating fish,” Ayala says. “The fried fish you would get in the Dominican Republic or Caribbean, it comes with the tail and head.” Ayala’s multicultural influences, which also include Spanish heritage, are subtly reflected in folding manchego in the mashed potatoes and employing piquillo peppers instead of red peppers throughout the menu.

As far as The Publisher’s lasting impressions go, those are owed to executive sous chef and pastry chef Jacinta Marie Ploteña’s show-stopping desserts. A recent deconstructed s’mores dish was unveiled tableside from under a glass dome in a flourish of campfire smoke to reveal a voluptuous, brûléed Italian meringue layered atop chocolate panna cotta and graham cracker crumbs. There’s also the fan-favorite peanut butter pie, in which the silken peanut butter mousse gets a pleasing textural contrast from a peanut butter meringue cookie and an Oreo-covered dark chocolate tart shell, all finished with milk chocolate sauce poured tableside. Ordering a couple desserts and perhaps a nightcap is a surefire way to guarantee the sweetest ending to your visit to The Publisher.

Fredericksburg’s Arts, Eats, and Incredible Finds

The historic city’s vibrant downtown is home to must-visit art galleries, shops, and restaurants.

ART

LibertyTown Arts Workshop: This art gallery represents nearly 60 local craftspeople and artists, many of whom have studio space here. Shop for pottery, paintings, notecards, and fiber art, or sign up for an art class.

Ponshop: Peruse local art and handmade goods, at this husband-and-wife-owned shop, including Gabriel Pons’ paintings and Scarlett Pons’ gorgeous ceramic bowls and wine tumblers in custom-blended pastel glazes.

SHOP

Sugar + Spruce: Stock up on handmade soaps, whipped sugar scrubs, and bath bombs in irresistible scents like cherry almond, melon, or blackberry magnolia.

Willow: This chic women’s boutique offers elevated basics, like perfect T-shirts and cashmere sweaters, and functional-yet-stylish pieces like wear-it-everywhere shirt dresses and printed blouses.

DINE AND SIP

Foode + Mercantile: Refuel with lunchtime nosh at Chef Joy Crump’s beloved local eatery, housed inside the historic National Bank Building (you can even dine inside the vault!). Don’t miss Rosie’s fried chicken sandwich, fashioned after Crump’s mom’s recipe. (Pro tip: Add pimento cheese.)

Hyperion Espresso: Grab an afternoon pick-me-up from downtown’s O.G. coffee shop, such as a breve, crafted with espresso and steamed half-and-half, or the staff favorite Psycho, a four-espresso-shot latte.