The Inn at Little Washington Review

We booked a night at the Inn in August to celebrate a birthday under the "Far from the Maddening Crowd" package. The cheapest room was $1,360.50 and includes one night, dinner for two, complete breakfast and "all taxes and service." But they charged us $104.95 additional for taxes anyways. I pointed out that their website says that the package states that taxes are included. They said that they would correct the website right away and I took them at their word and agreed to the upcharge. We arrived an hour early on a hot Monday and they welcomed us to the beautiful patio while we waited for afternoon tea. They provided generous refills of the wonderful iced tea and some delicious treats. Our check-in was supposed to be 4 but at 3, the manager said that our room in "the Parsonage" was ready. It was lovely and decorated with incredible attention to detail. Elegant bathroom and private balcony.

Dinner was very good but fell short of expectations. A group at the next table was offered menu items not offered to us. My husband and I ordered the same menu with only the entree being different. But the waiter brought them out an interrupted our conversation to ask "Who ordered the duck?" The duck was delicious but the staff seemed unnecessarily focused on acting relaxed and un-stuffy while talking at us a lot about how great the food and the chef are. The lamb carpaccio with Caesar salad ice-cream was tasty but my ice cream was melted into puddles while my husband's was still firm and cold. The peach tart was fine but the peaches were a couple of days away from being ripe. A crisp peach in August that tastes like the supermarket is not acceptable in a $320 meal. Due to pandemic precautions, tables were well spaced which felt safe and made the luxurious dining room feel even more luxe.

The website said that the hotel would press our clothes for supper but nobody offered and there wasn't a sign in the closet suggesting how to get that done. The room included a hefty maglite flashlight which we used to take a stroll after supper. But the batteries were dead. A little decanter of port and a small plate of cookies were in our room after supper - which was lovely.

Breakfast turned out to be the disappointment that won't end. They steered us back to the lovely terrace despite the high heat. Waiter said that continental breakfast was free but that breakfast entrees were $25/each. We explained that they were included in our package and a manager came out to confirm. After our food arrived, we asked for napkins which they hastily brought. But 2 minutes later a waiter with a silver tray full of napkins came through when they realized that NOBODY had been given a napkin. And here is my rub. The guests were all too cowed to ask for napkins. The service is oddly high handed and doesn't encourage requests. Even though housekeeping is offered 3 times a day, the waiter interrupted our breakfast to ask if we really wanted our room tidied while we ate. Of course, we said it was not necessary. Breakfast was served with the same "who ordered what?" interruptions.

We cleared out our room and found an old dirty sock under the bed which was not ours. We checked out and were given the final bill with all of the taxes still on it which I did not contest. We were also told that they were no additional charges. Then 2 days later, my credit card was charged for 2 breakfasts. I called the Inn and they apologized and affirmed that I should not have been charged but over 10 days later, no credit yet on my charge card. They think that I am too cowed to call a second time but I will get this fixed. The website still says that if you order the package, the price includes all taxes and service. Good luck!

Very accommodating and attentive staff. The food was amazing, enough said.

Everyone enjoys the simple beauty of this lovely place.

best beef broth and popcorn ever!!!! Super impressed by this popcorn! And incredible service! Definitely will visit again!

Everything they say is true, and this is a fantastic restaurant. So happy to have celebrated our first anniversary here, everything was, simply, joyous.

Such an amazing experience! We have been twice for anniversaries and it never disappoints! From the food, to the drinks, to the staff and accommodations we have nothing that we felt could have been improved upon. We had dinner and stayed over, which was wonderful to be able to fully enjoy the 5 course dinner and wine pairings. My husband and I each ordered a different tasting menu and had the wine pairings, which were so thoughtfully done. An inventive menu that was modern and classic at the same time, paired with wines that blew us away. The staff really makes it seem as though you are the most important people yet there is a casualness that they exude that doesn't make it feel stuffy. Would go back over and over if we could and we are already looking forward to another visit!

Wonderful experience. Amazing food. Astronomical bill. Totally worth it.

We enjoyed a wonderful stay at the Inn and 3 great meals - afternoon tea, dinner, and breakfast. The staff is wonderful, the food was amazing, and the accommodations are lovely, comfortable and induce relaxation immediately upon arrival. Absolutely wonderful.

While definitely a splurge, dinner at the Inn was a lovely experience that I would highly recommend to anyone. I'm not the type of person who regularly dines at such an extravagant restaurant, but the staff was friendly and welcoming, making for a wonderful dining experience.

Amazing! Truly, a wonderful, exceptional, spectacular experience!!! I cannot say enough about it. High tea, wonderful! Dinner, well, actually, the best meals I have ever had! Breakfast was out of this world! Our room was great, the staff is on another level! Do it, plan it and Do It!

I made a reservation for my anniversary and was just perfect. The food was incredible and the staff make you feel so welcome!!

Exceeds expectations. Food and service is worth the price!

Very good food with excellent service. Quaint inn with renowned restaurant.

Excellent service really sets this restaurant apart; from the confirmation phone call, arriving to our reservation and throughout the entire meal. Perfect for celebrating special occasions.

Oh wow - here it comes - hate slamming a place. People work hard after all and it doesn t feel good to say unkind things but with this price point and it takes an hour and a half to get there from DC - something has to be said. So here goes. This is not a three star restaurant.. The best part of the meal was the desert. And even with the desert they served a fake pear - supa tasty - identical to a non -star restaurant, Marea, in NYC. Fake pear sounds bad. It s not. Super tasty cake-like sculpture that looks like a real pear. Fantastic.

Point is a three star should blow Danna s socks off and The Inn didn t even come close. All of the course were good. Not great or wow. Just good. A three star restaurant should bring the diner new sensations and a level of exceptional service available ... well .... only at three star restaurants! the service here was not just casual - it was too casual.

A three star is supposed to warrant a trip just to dine there. In this instance if you happen to be going to the mountains and have a lot of cash, fee free to dine here for good food. But don t make a trip just for the restaurant like we did. Go to Komi in DC instead. It blows this place out of the water.

Exquisite Inn in Rural setting. World renown chef and food so fresh it is scary good. I am still thinking about the beautiful canapes and dinner and the beautiful access to fresh coffee in China service with treats just outside room door, sitting in a rocker while sipping coffee and finally the send off breakfast that my mouth will remember forever! It was topped off by a visit to the custom kitchen and a photo with Chef Patrick. What a wonderful and friendly man. Service that is out of this world; when I entered to check in they asked us to sit while they retrieved a cool beverage. Now THAT set the tone! Sit and enjoy, stroll and explore away from all the hustle and bustle that life throws your way. Worth every penny. I need to do it again for 2 nights this time. Thank you Inn at Little Washington, you have given me an experience that I will savor for a lifetime.

Indescribably fabulous. A feast for both the eye and the palate. The decor, the gardens, the hospitality were beyond anything I've ever experienced. Made my 72 birthday so extraordinarily special!?. I

Very professional and courteous staff. Food was surprisingly worth the high cost. Atmosphere was homey.

I was there for an anniversary and reserved through open table. They customized the menu with the event and my last name. They offered 3 tasting menus. One with the classics, one with seasonal, and the last was vegetarian. Also had a very extensive wine selection with knowledgeable sommeliers helping you decide. Price was over $200 per person for just the food. This includes dessert. Presentation, service, and quality was well worththe cost and experience. Will definitely return for future events.

Eating here is not just a meal, it's an experience.

Pretty clear why this place has 3 Michelin stars. Had a great experience and was worth the trip

Quintessential 3 Michelin Star Dining !! Perfection in food and service . Pro tip .. the cheese cart

Living in a dream world of service with the finest, most gastrnomically elegant and delicious food. Calling it "food" is not accurate, it's greater than that. It is a culinary climax. You must experience it (at least) once in your life. Start saving for now for dinner and a sleep over, and go several hours early to take it all in. Heaven!

The staff is so thoughtful and observant. They really ensure that you enjoy your dining experience, and that they accommodate any dietary needs. All the food was delicious! My husband and I ordered from the Out of the Blue seafood sample menu and The Good Earth vegetarian sample menu. Both were amazing, and we ended up spending a good 3 hours here just chatting and enjoying the food. The venue was charming with all kinds of artistic detail littered throughout the place. The cow moo cart was one of my favorite parts of the experience, and the cheese whiz just kept the puns coming when he came to serve us cheese. Even the little box with chocolates in it that looked like the Inn was adorable. We got to take the little box home along with the customized menus that had our names on them.

Amazing experience. The meal with the wine pairings was fantastic. The ambience and attention from the staff were great. Although it is very expensive, I thought it was worth it for a special occasion.

Amazing food, amazing service, beautiful place, and the guy with the cheese cart is hilarious. Great place for a special occasion.

Lives up to the hype! Great meals, great accommodations, friendly staff, and very comfy. Many spaces to explore and an easy winding drive from NOVA.

Exceptional Excellence
This is one of the finest hotels in the U.S. Definitely the finest fine dining we have ever had the pleasure to experience. The staff are amazingly dedicated to guest comfort. The hotel is beyond elegant. Make you special occasion a memorable lifetime event.

We had our first anniversary at The Inn and will come back as often as possible. The rich luxury was easily accessible through constant comfortable service at every step, literally, of the meal. From the moment we stepped inside there were multiple staff cordially and warmly walking us through the experience without being obtrusive in the least. The food was stunning. Each bite was the best example of that food either of us had experienced. My wife doesn t eat seafood but tried the caviar and crab and was amazed. The red pepper soup was so vibrant we could have ended the meal there. The vegetables were bright and perfect with the texture and flavor of each course. Even on a busy night the Cheese Whiz made time to finish the two hour meal with elegant display tailored to my tastes and served with the best pun-game around. This added to the level of comfort and ease even as we enjoyed a delicate egg dessert and creamy delicious cheese. Overall what almost any other restaurant would serve up as self-important or ostentatious was instead the ideal of hospitality and an education for our palate while feeling like a culinary theater.

A perfect anniversary get-away! Lovely inn with a staff that knows how to make guests feel special and Chef Patrick's kitchen is a foodie's dream.

My wife and I have sporadically dined here for the last 20 years (sporadically because I have yet to win the lottery!) We just celebrated another anniversary and Neil has been taking care of us for years. His son Michael was our primary server and with Chris taking care of libations it was another memorable night. Special place and people.

An outstanding experience. Friendly, helpful staff; excellent food.

I attended the farmers market at the Inn at Little Washington this past weekend. They have so many different food vendors and the Inn also sells BBQ at the market which absolutely delicious.

An excellent small-town retreat from the busy city, with very good food and service.

Incredible experience of creamy, salty, crunchy, sweet, succulent, delicately prepared works of art. Lamb, rabbit, duck, halibut, caviar, lobster so tastefully bathed with love and tenderness. All paired with delightful vintages of course. I could go on all day but you will do better to go yourself. Stay at Gay St Inn while visiting little Washington. A special top of the bucket list kinda place if you're a lover of fine food and drink.

Too pricey for everyday dining but for that special occasion it's worth every penny. The atmosphere was so unique and special. The food was unbelievable! Allejandro was so kind and attentive. A beautiful evening that we will always remember.

A true rarity in every form; food, richness of decor and service. If you ever have the opportunity to dine here it should be among the top culinary experiences in a lifetime.

Always feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @joerazz

Pricey and worth every penny for a special occasion.

I just went for the farmers market. It was small but nice

This is a place for truly special occasions, every detail was seen to and the experience was pure magic. This is worth the cost; the food was perfection, the wine list was exhaustive, the cocktails were amazing and the staff was attentive to our every request.

It was my first experience and my parents 6th. The meals and service was like nothing i have had before. I was exposed to food that was out if my comfort zone buti recommend anyone eating there to keep an open mind, because I assure you it will be delish and an experience you won't forget.

Excellent all around. Visited this place on our trip to DC this weekend. Food was amazing. Service was about right. Even got to meet chef Patrick O Connell. Their tasting menu and wine list were all worth the drive.

The meal we shared last night at The Inn in Little Washington, VA was without a doubt the most wonderful culinary experience we'd ever experienced! It was my wife's birthday, and The Inn had personalized a couple of courses and our menus with her name.
The service could not have been any smoother, and we even got a kitchen tour afterwards. We congratulated the chefs, who obviously were very proud of both their spanking-clean workspace, and the magnificent courses they prepared there.
Not inexpensive, but worth every penny -- for us, a once-in-a lifetime experience!

Great place for service but priced out of my range. Breakfast and dinner were adequate but at sky high prices.Overnight stay with high tea, dinner and breakfast ran over $1200.

Amazing. Spectacular. Must visit. One of the best meals we've ever rated alongside adorable rooms in a gorgeous location. What more could you ask for?

One of the most special experiences I have ever had. The food was...... incredible. I have no words. If you can go to this resturaunt at at some point in your life, I highly recommend it. Completely worth it.

It was a once in a lifetime experience. The food was so full and rich in flavor. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. The inn is located in a charming little town.

An experience not to be missed. Our overnight stay included afternoon tea, dinner and breakfast the next morning for the two of us. Outstanding in every way.

I would give it two stars but only because that's how many Michelins it has

Amazing everything: food, presentation, service. Well worth the price and the trip from DC.

Unbelievable dinner. Exceptional staff. The chef is to be commended. Deserves the Stars!

We had dinner at The Inn at Little Washington to celebrate our anniversary. It was very expensive but the food was incredible and the service was impressive and friendly. There were also some nice touches like personalized menus for us to take home and "Happy Anniversary" written on our desserts. Definitely a memorable dinner.

The food and service was great, but it was not at all worth the price. I was very surprised to hear it has 3 Michelin stars when the food didn't blow me away.

The overall experience is exactly what you would expect from one of the two Michelin 2-star restaurants in the DC/NOVA area, and that is to say that you will not leave unhappy in any circumstances. The Inn goes above and beyond with the traditional French / American fusion cuisine; my date and I both ordered separate tasting menus and the accompanying wine pairings and all of the food and wine's brought out were delicious. As stated on their menus and website, they source the majority of their food locally with some of it bring grown in their private gardens. The service was top notch with the waitstaff, sommeliers, and other members of the dining facility operating like a well rehearsed orchestra. My only critique of the evening was the menu offering only mainstay fair of fine French cuisine. Likely my personal bias, but I had hoped that the meal would leave my party overwhelmed with each bite of the courses served through the use of new techniques and ingredients. Instead, the courses presented themselves as comfortable and well rehearsed staples of the Old World and fine dining of our parent's era. While absolutely deserving of Michelin recognition, I felt as the Inn's reputation and overall aesthetic elevated it to the 2-star position vice the food alone. My sole critique withstanding, I loved the meal and my stay at The Inn and will return. Additionally, I will absolutely recommend it to anyone for the setting of choice to celebrate life's most special moments. Expect to pay for the privilege, but a meal at The Inn at Little Washington will be a memory to keep and hold for a lifetime.

Great experience and the service was the best. Food was surprising and delicious. Worth the money for the experience for sure.

Great place for a dining experience. However, after dinner I wanted a drink and to lounge in the sitting area with my wife. I think this isn't normal and threw off the script. They didn't seem to know what to do. But, I recommend it as you have great people-watching opportunities of everyone trying to be fabulous.

My wife and I stayed for a romantic Christmas dinner and overnight stay. We have stayed and dined at The Inn numerous times over the years and have been mainly pleased even when the staff seems disjointed. This particular visit was one to remember but not in a good way. We arrived early afternoon, enjoyed tea, then proceeded to our room to relax, get in a quick power nap, and get ready for dinner. On our way up to the room we passed a couple walking a dog outside. There was nothing unusual about the dog, just a small dog on a normal leash. In our room we could hear people coming and going. 15 minutes later we heard nothing but dog barking from a room across the hall. This lasted continuously for 2 hours until we left our room for dinner. While being seated I mentioned the dog barking to the person at the front desk, who replied I will take care of it. I caught up to my wife and the hostess at our table and received the next disappointment. In the main dining room this particular seating area has 2 tables pushed together with no space in-between. There was a couple already seated and enjoying their meal and we were being seated next to them. This was awkward at best for us and them. The seating area was perfect for a group of 4 but not 2 sets of strangers. Sitting down I had to watch my elbow given we were that close to the other couple. Conversation was none between my wife and I as we were so close to the other couple. Even they slowed up talking. The server with bread kept skipping our table because she saw the butter/bread on their table and thought we were all together. We didn't get bread until out meal was being served and it was pointed out to her she missed out table. Our waiter tried to make small talk with us only to make a comment that we were dressed like Northern Virginians. I wasn't sure how to take that and my wife looked at him funny as he realized what he had said. The other couple smiled at the comment. I'm sure he meant well. The meal was OK with the first soup being kind of bland/so-so. Eventually the other couple left and we had a nice conversation with Neil. Neil mentioned they had talked to the dog owners who said it was a service dog and they said there would be no more barking. Never heard of a service dog constantly barking for hours when left alone. When you receive your desert order they also bring a very thin chocolate and nut "cracker" with dried fruit that they break up for you. In our case our waiter brought the desert, we finished most of it when another waiter showed up with the chocolate and nut cracker. He started to sit it down on our table, then seemed startled when he realized we were basically finished with our desert and proceeded to pull it back off the table and turned to talk to our waiter who was standing at another table. After a few sentences with our waiter he turned around and put the chocolate and nut cracker back on our table. Upon returning to our room at 8, we heard people coming and going again. The next thing we know the dog is barking its head off again. This lasted until after 10 when we heard people entering their room.

We have been seated at various tables in the main room and the porch area over the years. When we have been seated next to others the tables are separated by 10-12". This is close but you have a feeling of some privacy. Our seating this time had 0 separation, absolutely no privacy. At the price of the meal with tip and a night's stay, the visit was a huge disappointment. The seating was the worse part of the visit and this is squarely on The Inn. It was bad enough to have someone circumventing hotel rules claiming a service dog but there is no excuse for the seating. If they couldn't seat us at that time they could have suggested other times or say they were booked for the day. It will definitely be a while before we even consider returning. There are other places in VA with just as good food.

After a slow start the service improved. The sommelier was excellent in both recommending wines and suggesting wineries in the area to visit. The food was very good, full of interesting flavours But was it worth the cost?

I was only there for the farmer's market outside, but it was wonderful. Apparently a lot of the things available for purchase were what they actually served at The Inn, and everything I was able to sample was delicious. Everyone was really friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was wonderful.

Amazing service! Great attention to detail! Wonderful (and delicious) food -- which goes for breakfast and tea as well as dinner. The people working there were very helpful, knowledgeable, and fun to talk to.

Amazing ambiance and service. The food was incredible and the staff was actually very down to earth, easy to talk to. They made us smile and laugh, especially the little cow cart with the cheese selection.

Expensive But World Class
A little out of the way but the care, creativity, taste and ambiance is unique. No wonder Chef has cooked for US Supreme Court Justices, to Queen Sophia of Spain to the Queen of England and Prince Philip. Recommend their "Tin of Sin" Caviar. Very special.

This Experience defined "greatness"
Truly amazing

My dining experience at the Inn at Little Washington was what I expected. The service was great and the dining area was interesting. However, I m not sure I would recommend this restaurant to someone. I called ahead to inform them of a food allergy and their accomodations were less than reasonable. Instead of creating specialized dishes to accomodate my needs they simply served me dishes without the elements with dairy. This was like leaving crucial tastes from each dish and wasn t worth the money. My dining partner had the regular dishes and enjoyed them but both of us only found one course oustanding. Not sure I would return or recommend, but worthy of the Michelon stars.

A remarkable dining experience, from the decor to the service, from the amuse-bouche to the desserts. The menu maintained a fine balance between the traditional and the daring, culminating in a confection pear that elicited laughs of delight.

I didnt stay. Only stopped by for scouting locations for a film

Everything about this place is Michelin 3 star. All personnel are very nice, kind, professional and top notch. Our room was above and beyond unique and amazing. Dinner and breakfast was delicious and one of a kind. Will write more when I get a chance.

The service was impeccable, and the food was amazing. We had a vegan and a vegetarian dining with us and the chef made substitutions that were thoughtful and delicious.

Tried to celebrate our 28th anniversary at the Inn with their celebration package (room&dinner) for $1400.
Fantastic service and food during reception and dinner. We added the wine pairings for $200 each. Pairings were spot on. However waiter brought us a bill for over $1000. Missed the fact we had already paid for dinner.
Now the fun began...
Room was very nice, but when returning from dinner we could clearly hear the guests next to us fighting loudly. This went on until after midnight. Finally we heard the doorbell ring. Appeared management had got enough complaints to engage the couple

Next morning at 6AM we awoke to the same fighting. This went on until we finally decided to get up and go down to breakfast. We addressed it with the front desk.
After breakfast, nothing had changed. Still fighting

What a way to ruin a ~$2000 night stay.
Addressed it with front desk on way out. Offered us a cookbook. Wow!

When we go home realized cookbook was older version and made out to phoebe. Who is phoebe?

Not going back and spending this much again.

My second time here and first time staying here. Everything is thought out. The staff is amazing. The food is beyond amazing. As a restauranteur myself, Patrick and his staff are an inspiration. We will be back again and again.

Omg the food here is delicious!!! One of the best places I've ever been to. It's also such an experience and the chef is so creative with the food. This is definitely for a very special occasion because it is extremely expensive!! But they give you a lot of food and you will leave full and with a goodie bag. I had the Summer Sample menu and my boyfriend had the Gastronaut menu. Both are good but I would recommend the Summer Sample menu!! But the one thing I really loved was the Seafood Sausage from the Gastronaut menu.

Great food and flavors. My only complaint is that it didn't last longer!