You've scrolled through Airbnb, looked at overpriced suburban listings, and wondered: why are these places so far from downtown? We built The West End Flats as an alternative — 21 one-bedroom apartments in a restored 1950s building at the actual center of Roanoke, where the walkable stuff actually happens. Book with us directly: about 15% less than our Airbnb price for the same flat and dates on stays under 28 nights, with no booking or service fees.
Why apartments beat hotel rooms — and Airbnbs
Actual kitchens
Our units have full kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and dishwashers. No hot plate. Cook breakfast for four on a real stove, make coffee without an Airbnb host's mystery Keurig. If you need to work from the apartment, you're not eating every meal out or trying to heat up takeout in a microwave.
In-unit laundry
Washer and dryer in every apartment. Not a shared laundry room in the basement. Not a text to the host asking where the nearest laundromat is. Stay a week? Do laundry whenever it suits you. Stay a month? You're not hand-washing socks.
Space to actually work
Each unit has a dedicated living room, bedroom, and kitchen — not a studio where the bed is the bed is the desk. Fiber Wi-Fi throughout (300+ Mbps). If you're working remote or doing any work calls, the setup is actually usable. Not an afterthought.
Actual parking
Included, no add-on fees. Free on-site or covered parking depending on unit. Not a hunt for street parking or a $20/night garage surcharge that Airbnb doesn't tell you about until checkout. It's included.
Self check-in, 24/7
Arrive on your schedule, not the host's. Keyless entry, digital lock. Arrive at 11 PM after a long drive — no problem. Check in yourself, get to bed. We're available by phone if anything goes wrong, but you're not waiting on someone's availability window.
Fees posted up front
There is no cleaning fee and no booking or service fee. The optional extras are posted: pets are $50 per pet per night, capped at $100 per stay (max 2 pets; service animals free), and early check-in or late checkout (1 PM, when available) is priced when you book. Your exact price for your dates, including every required charge, is shown before you pay.
Why downtown is where the Roanoke actually is
Airbnb's suburban options are cheaper, yes. But you're 20 minutes from anything that actually matters in Roanoke. Downtown is the walkable core — restaurants, breweries, galleries, the Mill Mountain Park trail system, and access to the Roanoke Greenway. We're 515 8th St SW, in the middle of it.
- Breweries: A Few Old Goats (on site), Big Lick Brewing (2-min walk), Twin Creeks (10 mins).
- Restaurants: 20+ within 5-minute walk — Scratch Biscuit, Martin's Downtown, Wasabi's, Table 50, The Laughing Bull, Tucos.
- Coffee: RND Coffee (3-min walk) — best espresso in town.
- Parks & trails: Mill Mountain Parkway (10 mins), Roanoke Greenway (walking distance), McAfee Knob (30-min drive).
- Shopping & galleries: Market Building, antique shops, art galleries, vintage record stores — all walkable.
How we're different from Airbnb
Here's how booking with us works.
Direct booking, transparent pricing
Enter your dates at thewestendflats.com/booking to see the nightly rate, taxes and total for your stay before you pay. No booking or service fees.
Real phones, real support
You can text us. Call us. 1-855-919-7368. We're not hidden behind a messaging interface. You've got a real phone line to reach someone who actually knows your reservation.
What else you might pay
Pets: $50 per pet per night, capped at $100 per stay (max 2 pets); service animals free. Early check-in or late checkout at 1 PM, when available: priced when you book. A temporary $200 card hold is placed on your arrival day and released after check-out; it is not a charge unless you owe for damage or a rule violation under our Terms.
Monthly stays make sense
Need to stay more than a month? Corporate housing, relocations, medical rotations, extended breaks: your exact price for a longer stay is shown for your dates before you pay.
The actual unit experience
Every apartment is furnished and ready to live in. Not "decorated for photos." Actually livable. Bedding is hotel-quality (Egyptian cotton, proper pillows). Living rooms have actual sofas, not a futon. Kitchens are properly stocked (pots, pans, utensils, dishware, glassware). The Wi-Fi is fast enough to stream and work. The water pressure in the shower actually works.
Standard, Deluxe, and Premium tiers differ in finishes and furniture but all have the fundamentals: full kitchen, in-unit laundry, free parking, fiber Wi-Fi, living room, bedroom. Pick your tier based on whether you want modern minimalist (Standard), mid-range comfort (Deluxe), or the nicest finishes and fresh updates (Premium).
Who's booking the flats
- Couples weekend trips: Breweries and restaurants within walking distance, no car needed, no suburban commute.
- Families visiting Roanoke: Extra bedrooms if needed (we have a guest list for local contacts), full kitchen for breakfast, covered parking, actual space.
- Relocating professionals: Monthly rates, fully furnished, no long-term commitment, Wi-Fi fast enough for remote work.
- Medical professionals on rotation: 5-minute drive to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, monthly discounts, flexible check-in/out.
- Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts: Base for Blue Ridge Parkway, McAfee Knob, and local trail system. Shower and laundry after a long day outside.
- Conference and training attendees: Carilion has frequent hospital conferences. Tech companies run training programs in town. Downtown location beats a hotel room.
The on-site brewery
A Few Old Goats Brewing is on the ground floor. Your nightcap is 30 footsteps from bed. They open at 4 PM weekdays, noon weekends, and stay open until midnight most nights. Small-batch beers, friendly locals, the Courtyard Blonde is their light option and the 515 IPA is a solid hoppy choice. If you're staying midweek, bring your laptop and work from their taproom for an afternoon.
Ready to book?
You can reserve direct at thewestendflats.com/booking — it takes three minutes, and it's about 15% less than our Airbnb price for the same flat and dates on stays under 28 nights. Check availability for your dates, pick your unit tier, and you're done. Questions? Call us at 1-855-919-7368 or email support@thewestendflats.com.
You've spent enough time scrolling through overpriced listings 20 minutes from downtown. Downtown Roanoke has good food, good beer, and good people. We're the place to stay in the middle of it.