Washington, D.C. Hotels|Washington, Virginia, United States

The Inn at Little Washington

Name: The Inn at Little Washington
Telephone: 540-675-3800

Virginia's country escape for foodies

VERIFIED LUXURY

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Savvy epicureans book a room — and a table — at The Inn at Little Washington. Tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the inn offers visitors a taste of the good life, complete with afternoon tea with scones and tartlets.

Tempting as it may be to indulge, guests save their appetites for the evening's cuisine. Many make special trips just for the talented chef's award-winning meals, though lucky guests recount their memorable feasts while ensconcing themselves in one of the inn's lovely guest rooms.

The surrounding area provides opportunities for hiking, fly-fishing, hot air ballooning, antiquing and wine tasting. The moment you lay your eyes on the picturesque plantation-style building that houses The Inn at Little Washington at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll be transported to a romantic fantasy world to share with that special someone.

Our Inspector's Highlights

As you make your way toward Washington, Virginia on Lee Highway — don’t let the word highway fool you, you’ll likely be the only one on the road — you can’t help but fall in love with the rural region.
Sure, the town of Washington was founded in 1769 and the inn is housed in an old garage; but that doesn’t mean you won’t find any of the fabulous amenities and gadgets that we expect from a Five-Star hotel.
The Inn at Little Washington even supplies you with an iPad if you feel so inclined to return to the modern world. Not to mention, the inn offers complimentary Wi-Fi.
Proprietor and restaurant chef Patrick O’Connell has been called the “Pope of American Cuisine” by Robert Mondavi — and trust us, he isn’t exaggerating.

Things to Know

One of the aspects that makes The Inn at Little Washington so unique is its remote location — and we mean remote. So you might not be getting much service here.
It’s more for grown-ups. While kids are not unwelcome at this romantic destination, the amenities right down to the dinner menu are geared toward adults.
The best part about staying at the inn and having the restaurant at your fingertips is that you are guaranteed reservations. While outside guests must make reservations nearly six months in advance, you automatically snag a much-coveted table the moment you book your room.
Whether you are grabbing some of chef O’Connell’s legendary granola or enjoying the flamenco music during afternoon tea, the staff will make you feel more than welcome, almost as if it’s your very own home.

The Rooms

The Inn at Little Washington has 18 rooms and each one of them is unique.
Rooms range from standard queen to a separate two-story cottage and are spread out over several buildings (eight of the guest rooms are located within the main house).
The intermediate rooms have either a queen or king bed and a full bath stocked with Gilchrist & Soames bath amenities.
The superior rooms have a great add-on: a private balcony. There are junior suites with fireplaces, bi-level suites, a couple of private cottages and a two-bedroom, two-story house with a veranda overlooking a private garden.
A quirky Victorian-meets-early-American vibe runs throughout the inn. Expect lush layers of fabrics, traditional furniture (tufted sofas, wingback chairs), thick drapes and lively patterns.

The Restaurant

The Inn at Little Washington only has one eatery; but it is a darn good one and the eponymous Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant is the cornerstone of the hotel.
Patrick O’Connell, the chef and proprietor of the property, embarked on a foodie’s journey of a lifetime when he opened The Inn at Little Washington in 1978. The self-taught chef can basically be described as the pioneer of refined American cuisine.
Whether you are partial to black truffles or prefer to indulge in American osetra caviar, with six- and 10-course tasting menus, you’ll definitely get your fill of rich food at The Inn at Little Washington.
Head into the Living Room for an afternoon cocktail or two, a large area with ample cushy seating and theatrical décor. While you won’t get a standard “bar” vibe here, you will get bespoke cocktails and an excellent choice of wine from the well-stocked cellar.
It’s not your run-of-the-mill hotel bar, but the Monkey Lounge at The Inn at Little Washington also offers a cheeky twist on the standard hotel watering hole.

Amenities