A little more detail might be helpful - Is this trip business or pleasure? Are you looking for more basic or lavish accomodations? Will you be using points or trying to maximize earnings? What part of town do you want to be near? (whew! )

I am actually heading to Richmond myself next week. Unless they have done some serious renovations and an attitude adjustment of the staff, I would avoid the downtown Marriott. The Marriott West is near a bunch of office parks and is near the Courtyard Northwest (which is where I will be staying due to availibility of my corporate rate).