Fodor's Expert Review The Inn at Little Washington

What began as a small-town eatery in 1978 has grown into a legend. The rich interior of the three-story white-frame inn is the work of Joyce Conway-Evans, who has designed theatrical sets and rooms in English royal houses. Plush canopy beds, marble bathrooms, and fresh flowers make the rooms sumptuous. If you need more space, the Inn also has two luxurious cottages: the 3,200-square-foot Claiborne House and the smaller but equally charming Gamekeeper's Cottage, both steps from the main inn. Chef Patrick O'Connell's much-loved New American food is served in a slate-floor dining room with William Morris wallpaper, and his restaurant consistently wins respect from international critics. For $350–$450 per person, gourmands can reserve a seat at the Chef's Table to watch the kitchen in action. The seven-course prix-fixe dinner is $148–$178 per person (depending on the day of the week and not including wine and drinks); rooms are equally pricey, with the Claiborne House topping out at $2,570 per night. There are also additional rate surcharges on weekends and during peak seasons.