Washington, DC Weekend Vacation Getaway
Special Things
This BestWeekends Exclusive uncovers special things to see, do and experience that you won’t find in any guide book. Often they are only known to locals or people who have visited many times. These are things that will truly make your weekend special, things that will make you say, “remember when we…” long after the trip is over.
Click picture to enlarge
An Adventure in the Country
I had read all of the glowing reviews and knew of all of the awards, so I was a little apprehensive about my visit to the Inn at Little Washington, (HALL OF FAME *****) in Washington Virginia, about a 90 minute drive from Washington. I had been disappointed before when the reality didn't live up to the hype.
Not to worry. The reviews do not begin to do justice to the experience that is the Inn at Little Washington. Patrick O'Connell and his partner and co-owner Reinhardt Lynch choreograph a magical play in which, you the guest, are the star. With all the inns and restaurants in the country, few understand how to create a total experience the way O'Connell and Lynch do.
In the late 70's they had a successful catering business but dreamed of creating the perfect inn and restaurant. They found an old gas station in the sleepy little town of Washington, Virginia and began the transformation. In no time, word began to spread about the culinary wizardry of Patrick O'Connell. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The Inn is rated the #1 restaurant in the Washington area for food, décor and service. It is the #1 rated Zagat hotel and restaurant in the country. It has earned the prestigious 5 star award for both accommodations and food from the Mobil Travel Guide, the 5 Diamond Award from AAA and the James Beard Award for the best restaurant in America.
The Experience
As we drove up to the Inn, a young woman was standing on the porch to greet us. We found out later that the staff rotates this function in two hour shifts, during the time guests are arriving. My car door was opened by another staffer who assured us he would take care of the luggage and car. As we entered the Inn, yet another staffer, welcomed us, told us no paperwork was necessary and invited us on a tour of the Inn. He showed us the public rooms and garden patio, presented us with a complimentary "welcome cocktail" of champagne and passion fruit and escorted us to our room. He asked us if we needed anything pressed for dinner, which we did, and he promised its return shortly.
Since we had a few hours until dinner, we took a short stroll around the little town. When we returned, tea was being served on the patio. Our server addressed us by name (how did she know who we were?)served us some delicious homemade morsels and we enjoyed a leisurely glass of wine.
When we came down for dinner, the hostess asked to pin a small carnation to my lapel, "tradition", she said, but I suspect it was to identify us as Inn guests to the dining staff. She also asked to hold our room key for us, a subtle way of insuring who we were without asking.
Our dining experience is reviewed in our "Where to Dine" section, but after dinner and a drink on the lovely patio, we returned to our room, which had been completely refreshed; new towels, new soap, new bathrobes and our bed turned down. On a nightstand was a small decanter of port with two glasses and two "doggy" biscuits with a goodnight note from Jobe, one of the Inn's Dalmatians.
We slept deeply on a luxurious featherbed and after a delightful breakfast in our room, checked out and headed for DC. About 10 minutes from the Inn, a car pulled up alongside us and we recognized the driver as Andres from the Inn. He motioned us over to the side of the road. It seemed we had forgotten something and rather than simply mailing it to us, he had hopped into his car and set out after us in hot pursuit. Wow, does anyone else "get" this kind of personal service?
This is an incredibly well trained staff, all of whom are intent on making sure that you are enjoying yourself. They are warm and gracious and really seem to enjoy what they are doing. Interesting too is that there seems to be no real division of labor, everyone does everything; carry luggage, park cars, wait on tables; bring you a lap top and press your clothes. You'll never hear, "that's not my job" at this place.
One last note. We do not identify ourselves in our travels, so the experience we enjoyed at the Inn is the same one you will enjoy.
The Inn
Take the imagination of a London stage and set designer, overlay a striking collection of art and antiques and combine rich fabrics, tapestries and wallcoverings and you begin to envision the look and feel of the Inn. With fourteen rooms and suites, all decorated with a different mood, the Inn is what one would imagine a private English country home to be like. The public rooms are opulently decorated, yet warm and inviting. Wander around and you will encounter small sitting areas with comfortable couches and reading material. Every amenity imaginable is provided in the rooms; feather beds, Frette linens and bathrobes, heated towel racks, fresh flowers, exquisite bath products and a great shower. All the rooms are beautiful, but a Superior Room ($550) has a king bed and a balcony overlooking the patio. A Junior Suite ($670) adds a Jacuzzi and a fireplace.
If you really want to shoot the moon, ask for the Mayor's House ($890) which is located just across the street in a private setting all its own. This is a magnificent retreat and one you will savor for quite some time. The bedroom features a king bed and fireplace. The large marble bathroom has a Jacuzzi and separate shower. There is a separate sitting room with its own fireplace and a courtyard deck and garden. Remember rates are higher Friday-Sunday nights.
Not to worry. The reviews do not begin to do justice to the experience that is the Inn at Little Washington. Patrick O'Connell and his partner and co-owner Reinhardt Lynch choreograph a magical play in which, you the guest, are the star. With all the inns and restaurants in the country, few understand how to create a total experience the way O'Connell and Lynch do.
In the late 70's they had a successful catering business but dreamed of creating the perfect inn and restaurant. They found an old gas station in the sleepy little town of Washington, Virginia and began the transformation. In no time, word began to spread about the culinary wizardry of Patrick O'Connell. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The Inn is rated the #1 restaurant in the Washington area for food, décor and service. It is the #1 rated Zagat hotel and restaurant in the country. It has earned the prestigious 5 star award for both accommodations and food from the Mobil Travel Guide, the 5 Diamond Award from AAA and the James Beard Award for the best restaurant in America.
The Experience
As we drove up to the Inn, a young woman was standing on the porch to greet us. We found out later that the staff rotates this function in two hour shifts, during the time guests are arriving. My car door was opened by another staffer who assured us he would take care of the luggage and car. As we entered the Inn, yet another staffer, welcomed us, told us no paperwork was necessary and invited us on a tour of the Inn. He showed us the public rooms and garden patio, presented us with a complimentary "welcome cocktail" of champagne and passion fruit and escorted us to our room. He asked us if we needed anything pressed for dinner, which we did, and he promised its return shortly.
Since we had a few hours until dinner, we took a short stroll around the little town. When we returned, tea was being served on the patio. Our server addressed us by name (how did she know who we were?)served us some delicious homemade morsels and we enjoyed a leisurely glass of wine.
When we came down for dinner, the hostess asked to pin a small carnation to my lapel, "tradition", she said, but I suspect it was to identify us as Inn guests to the dining staff. She also asked to hold our room key for us, a subtle way of insuring who we were without asking.
Our dining experience is reviewed in our "Where to Dine" section, but after dinner and a drink on the lovely patio, we returned to our room, which had been completely refreshed; new towels, new soap, new bathrobes and our bed turned down. On a nightstand was a small decanter of port with two glasses and two "doggy" biscuits with a goodnight note from Jobe, one of the Inn's Dalmatians.
We slept deeply on a luxurious featherbed and after a delightful breakfast in our room, checked out and headed for DC. About 10 minutes from the Inn, a car pulled up alongside us and we recognized the driver as Andres from the Inn. He motioned us over to the side of the road. It seemed we had forgotten something and rather than simply mailing it to us, he had hopped into his car and set out after us in hot pursuit. Wow, does anyone else "get" this kind of personal service?
This is an incredibly well trained staff, all of whom are intent on making sure that you are enjoying yourself. They are warm and gracious and really seem to enjoy what they are doing. Interesting too is that there seems to be no real division of labor, everyone does everything; carry luggage, park cars, wait on tables; bring you a lap top and press your clothes. You'll never hear, "that's not my job" at this place.
One last note. We do not identify ourselves in our travels, so the experience we enjoyed at the Inn is the same one you will enjoy.
The Inn
Take the imagination of a London stage and set designer, overlay a striking collection of art and antiques and combine rich fabrics, tapestries and wallcoverings and you begin to envision the look and feel of the Inn. With fourteen rooms and suites, all decorated with a different mood, the Inn is what one would imagine a private English country home to be like. The public rooms are opulently decorated, yet warm and inviting. Wander around and you will encounter small sitting areas with comfortable couches and reading material. Every amenity imaginable is provided in the rooms; feather beds, Frette linens and bathrobes, heated towel racks, fresh flowers, exquisite bath products and a great shower. All the rooms are beautiful, but a Superior Room ($550) has a king bed and a balcony overlooking the patio. A Junior Suite ($670) adds a Jacuzzi and a fireplace.
If you really want to shoot the moon, ask for the Mayor's House ($890) which is located just across the street in a private setting all its own. This is a magnificent retreat and one you will savor for quite some time. The bedroom features a king bed and fireplace. The large marble bathroom has a Jacuzzi and separate shower. There is a separate sitting room with its own fireplace and a courtyard deck and garden. Remember rates are higher Friday-Sunday nights.
Click picture to enlarge
Sunset/Moonlight Kayaking
This is a glorious way to see the monuments from the
Potomac either as the sun is setting, or better yet, on a moonlit
night when all the monuments are lit up. Tours cost $52 through
Atlantic Kayak Company.
Click picture to enlarge
Picnic in the Park
Lunch from Dean & Deluca,
a bottle of wine from MacArthur Beverage
and a cool spot beside the water in Rock
Creek Park is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in Washington.
A Day in Hunt Country.
Another wonderful diversion on either the first or last day in Washington, is the marvelous Goodstone Inn & Estate in Middlebury, Virginia, a short distance from the District. Wonderful rooms and dining and a charming little town. Take a look at the Goodstone.