Neal Sanders

Looking for that very special and romantic getaway? Looking to be pampered and to have one of the most memorable dining experiences of your life? If you live anywhere in the Middle Atlantic states, there's such a place just a few hours away. It's called the Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia.

Before there was an Inn, there was a restaurant, and the IALW rates as one of the best in the country. The service is friendly, helpful, and never solicitous. The staff genuinely seems to want to know what you think of the meal. The menu changes daily; it is inventive without being "cute;" the ingredients are the best. Period.

The Inn has twelve rooms carved out of a hundred-year-old building. Each is individually furnished with a great deal of whimsy involved. Our room (#9) was very luxurious with a wonderful verandah opening onto the quiet main street of town. The staff can't do enough for you. At dinner the night before, my wife had remarked that the passion fruit sauce on one of her dishes would go well with raspberries. At breakfast the following morning, she was presented with a large plate with two dozen perfect raspberries in a sea of passion fruit sauce, each raspberry in turn residing in its own pool of raspberry puree. What a way to start the day!

Staying at the Inn confers two benefits apart from all of that coddling. First, you get a white rose to wear at dinner. This means your table is yours for the evening (otherwise, you're part of one of three "seatings"). While other diners' service was never rushed, we enjoyed the luxury of a three-hour dinner. The second benefit available to those who stay at the Inn is the opportunity to order a picnic lunch when you leave. The IALW has a slightly different idea of what constitutes a picnic than the rest of the world… it comes in two large bags and will feed a small European nation. We are still dining off of the cheese course five days after our return.

The IALW isn't cheap, but there are two ways to make it more affordable: 1) don't go on a Saturday night (rooms are an extra hundred dollars and the prie fixe dinner is twenty dollars higher), and don't go in October, when all rooms are an extra $100-200 per day.

That said, if you've ever wanted to pamper yourself and the one you love without flying 2500 miles, this is the way to do it.

John Grant

Neal,

Couldn't disagree with you more. Stayed there one night for 20th W.A. and dropped $700! Was given worse table in room. Waiters were surley and rushed even though there were too many of them. Tried to make up for ordinary food with "cute" presentations. Room was ok but way overpriced. Complained bitterly and was given a book about the place my wife had already purchased. They admit they are fooling the public in the book but keep raising prices and laugh allway to bank. Motel 6 is a better value.

Susan

I was also disappointed in The Inn At Little Washington. My husband and I received a gift certificate for dinner- a generous one- because it is so expensive. This was a wedding gift and we saved it for our first anniversary. I had heard about this place for years. We also, were given a terrible seat out of the main dining area. It wasn't at all crowded because our reservation was early. When I complained, our table was changed.
I felt the food to be ordinary- only interesting in presentation. The service was nondescript. We both felt terrible because the friends who gave us the gift know how much we enjoy fine restaurants. I am happy to pass this information on...nobody should waste money on this overpriced and overated retaurant.

Neal Sanders

John and Susan: I'm terribly sorry you were disappointed by your food and your room at the IALW. This was our fourth time staying at the Inn, and each visit has met the same, uniform high standard.

I guess everyone has a "resonant frequency," a place that matches their expectations perfectly. We've certainly been to places others raved about that disappointed us greatly (Manele Bay and the Lodge at Keole on Lanai immediately come to mind).

However, thanks for posting the contrary opinions... that's what makes traveling interesting!

kam

Just to prove that there are always two sides to every story-----my son and his long time girlfriend celebrated their 22nd birthdays at the Inn at Little Washington, having driven in from D.C. When they ordered a glass of wine, the waiter asked politely if they were in fact old enough to drink. When they both laughed and told him they were in fact celebrating the big 22, he was more than happy to go out of his way to help them enjoy their meal. They had a lovely table and the waiter took their photograph both at the table and then volunteered to take another next to the big fireplace in the lobby. They had a wonderful meal, but they are both quite sophiticated eaters, who have grown up on SF restaurants and prices, and appreciated all the effort that went into the meal. When one understands what it takes to create such meals, the prices do not seem outrageous! Perhaps that is the difference in peoples' perception of this restaurant. My husband and I have also had lovely meals there, although since we are ususally scheduled back to DC in January, we don't get to visit as much as we might want because we are cold!! No matter what, stuffy and rushed are never words I would use to describe this restaurant. Have not overnighted--will take your opinion, Neal, as we usually seem to agree.

Karen

My husband and I plan to have dinner at the IALW next month. I would like to find a reasonably priced but nice B&B to spend the night, rather than stay at the exorbinant Inn.

Any suggestions?

martha python

There's a B&B called the Bleu Rock Inn, or at least there used to be.
I've never stayed there, so I can't tell you anything about it, alas.

Beth

Its interesting to read the opinions of IALW. My husband and I ate there, but did not stay there, about 5 years ago. I was so impressed with the service and the presentation. But the food itself didn't really live up to the reputation. We thought perhaps we just hadn't ordered well. Its not that the ingredients weren't excellent, or that there was anything wrong with it. There just wasn't anything interesting or exciting about the food. I expected more. I wonder if different menu items would convey a different result? Maybe that explains the disparate opinions?

Beth

almost forgot... Karen, we stayed at a nearby inn called Caledonia Farm. It seems I remember it was quite abit cheaper than IALW, but was not too long a drive. It was in a beautiful spot, rolling hills and farmland. There were only 3 bedrooms, and the host makes breakfast for each room separately (so you have to pick your breakfast time). The host was a retired broadcaster from Voice of America and he just loved to talk. We stayed in what had at one time been the summer kitchen of this old farmhouse. It was a detached stone house with a sitting room downstairs and a bedroom upstairs. Really charming!

elaine

I love the Inn at Little Washington...but also have a few reservations to make recommendation.
We stayed there for one night (and were upgraded to balcony room overlooking the gardens). This was 8 years ago. Our stay was mid week in August. I made certain the owners were on the premises (since anything that could go wrong occurs while the 'boss is away'). Even checking in is elegant but not fussy. The rooms are decorated impeccably. Our dinner was outstanding and the waitstaff above par. The flowers in the dining room (and their arrangement) were breathtaking. I did object to paying extra to have a full breakfast. Considering the price of the one night stay, a full breakfast could be included.
Since that time, we have recommended this Inn and restaurant to our friends. Some loved it; others did not. We vacation nearby each August at the Ashby Inn (Paris, VA). This may be a nice alternative accomodation if one is dining at Inn/Washington.
At the time of our stay, complimentary high tea was served in the garden (small and well-manicured).
As with all 'high profile' properties and restaurants, it's wonderful to experience 'memorable'...even better if it remains memorable.

Neal Sanders

Karen, the last time we were in "Little Washington," we noted that three or four bed and breakfast inns had sprung up in and around the village. I just used Northern Lights ("Bed and breakfast" "Washington Virginia" and found four: the Middleton Inn, Heritage House Bed and Breakfast, Foster Harris B&B, and the Caledonia, which Beth describes above. Judging from the exterior, the Middleton Inn was the best looking of the lot.

Incidentally, we've been back to IALW twice since I first posted the message that started this thread. My opinion hasn't changed. A note to Elaine: the breakfast that is included in the room rate is more than ample (croissants, berries, fruits, juices, tea) to sate any normal appetite. Paying an additional $17.50 for an omlette is a bit stiff.

elaine

Neal,

I agree the complimentary continental breakfast is ample. However, due to a medical condition, I cannot eat fruit nor croissants. A poached or scrambled egg would suffice. Made this known prior to arrival. Was told to order from the breakfast menu.
As I mentioned, I agree with you that the Inn and the restaurant are grand.

ann

Karen,
My parents have stayed at the Bleu Rock Inn several times, and love it. They stayed there for their anniversary last year, so I called to arrange to have a bottle of wine waiting for them when they arrived (the Inn is affiliated with a winery). All that I had requested was a bottle of wine and some glasses, but apparently the Inn provided a beautiful setup including a platter of fruit, cheese, etc. Although I haven't stayed there myself, I can definitely recommend it second-hand!