The Gamekeeper's Cottage at The Inn at Little Washington Tripadvisor Reviews - The Gamekeeper's Cottage at The Inn at Little Washington - Trade Reservierungs
Save up to 30% at The Gamekeeper's Cottage at The Inn at Little Washington!
Have someone use their loyalty points to book your stay or buy a reservation from someone who can't make it to theirs.
If there is nothing that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
We only list verified Reservierungs!
All listed Reservierungs are reviewed by our team before appearing in the calendar or being allowed to answer a bid you place. That's why AppointmentTrader comes with a included Money Back Guarantee for each transaction.
Washington's Best Hotels that are most frequently booked by customers of The Gamekeeper's Cottage at The Inn at Little Washington
The Gamekeeper's Cottage at The Inn at Little Washington Tripadvisor Reviews
Latest Reviews On Tripadvisor
20 Reviews
0 Replys |
Experience of a lifetime
This was the most special place that I have ever been (and I have been to a lot)! If I only had three words to describe this experience, they would be Excellence, Beauty, and Kindness. My husband and I went for a two-night anniversary get-away on February 29. When we arrived, the staff greeted us warmly and our room was ready. They took us on a short tour of the Inn, gave us a sparkling cocktail, then showed us our building called The Carter House, where our room was ready and waiting. We cleaned up and headed over to the main building for tea. I have a severe allergy to tree nuts and peanuts and they couldn't have handled it any better. At the first opportunity during tea service, the staff assured me that all was prepared and it was. My portion was separate from my husband's and was 100% nut free. This continued throughout our stay. Clearly they have coordinated across all staff for such things. Cameron, the tea expert and "cheese whiz", provided an optional 4:00 pm tour of the grounds and buildings. While his goal was to be informative, he was both charming and sweet. He shared the history of Chef Patrick - from humble beginnings to 3 stars - truly inspirational. Cameron's story illustrated how intentional Chef's journey has been. It was clear from our visit that the culture was one that while rewarding excellence, it also provided support, education, and most noticeably kindness. Kindness for each other as well as their guests. We enjoyed the Gastronaut's Menu on our first night. If you go, I suggest one of you get the "Apparently a Pear" dessert and the other get the cheese selection. Cameron is the resident cheese expert and he and Faira the cow deliver your cheese to the table. (Not to be missed!) During the day, we drove to the Shenandoah National Park and enjoyed the views. Check opening hours and plan accordingly. Chef and his team will pack a picnic lunch and if weather permits you could enjoy it there. On our second night we ate at Patty-O's - Chef's new casual dining restaurant. Of course, it was delicious. I had Julia Childās Beef Bourguignon and my husband had their scallops. A fire was burning in the dining room fireplace giving a lovely glow to the room. We had a chance to meet Andre LeTendre - another lovely person who seemed genuinely happy to talk with us. House breakfast each morning was a yogurt with granola and berries, breads, coffee, juice selections (served in a 4-glass flight). While I didn't need it, I added an omelette on my first morning - and wow, it did not disappoint. Seriously the best omelette I have ever had. On the second day, for guests that stay two nights, there is a special oatmeal souffle that I'm still dreaming about. Yes, its pricey - but its worth every penny or more.
Be the first to ReplyPrice of a 3*, service of a 2*, food of a 1*
I was expecting a lot from our visit to the Inn after having read so many good things, but I had to say I was mostly disappointed. - Price of a 3* - here no doubt, you are in a 3* :). When you know that you need to come from DC (1h30 train + 40min overpriced taxi) and that you pay your meal in advance (1000$ for 2), yes you arrive with some expectations :) - Service of a 2* - Service is great and heads (sommelier and maitre dhotel) are perfect (nice with the kids, knowledgable, smiling, etc). We also got the little attentions (menu with our names, visit of the kitchen..) For a 3* it could have just been one level higher I guess (the person at the door didnt greet us or hold us the door, we arrived early and noone told us we could have a drink at the bar, chef O'Connell was not here - which is quite rare in a 3* etc.) - Food of a 1* - Here lies the problem for me: the food was not at 3* level / or top100 list or whatever you take as the "best of the best" reference. And it was even quite far. It lacked originality, quality of ingredients and also quantity (the 3 of us were hungry when we left, which is so rare in you take a full menu in any michelin star restaurant..). In this "top of of the top" list you have The Fat Duck, Guy Savoy, Cellar Can Roca, Disfrutar, but also "lesser famous" 3* like lAmbroisie, lArpege, Troisgros, lAuberge de lIll etc. For each of these restaurants, even a few years later, I can tell you what we got and emotions we had - I am sure I wont remember anything in one month about the crab rillette, the tuna tartar, the pepper beef and the cheesecake. It was good yes, but not memorable. I heard words like "touch of originality", "perfection of sauce" etc about chef O'Connell - we got nothing of those :( A simple good nice 1* meal (and I know 1* that are better than the Inn - more original, more quality ingredients and more food) - the very last ones we went with went with my boyz in Roma (lAroma 1*), in London (Clove Club 2*) or in Blois (Fleur de Loire 2*) were all 3 better than the Inn on all criteria. Anyway the place is nice and beautiful, my kids had a great time no hard feelings here - but I am sure you can do much much better chef O'Connell!
Be the first to ReplyGreat but not perfect
This was my third visit to the Inn at Little Washington over thirty years - so a once a decade splurge. These days a meal will set you back at least $500 per person depending on how much you splurge on wine. The set price of $368 does not include all items offered on the menu - two of the options have a supplemental cost, including cheese at $32.00 per person. Four of went to celebrate a couple of milestone birthdays and had a lovely evening overall. The food - for the most part- was sublime, creative and beautifully presented. I didn't love the foie gras in pear (the appetizer for the non-veggies) but otherwise every course was a standout. But the experience diminished at the end for two reasons. First, we had eaten desert and were considering amongst ourselves whether to have coffee/tea when we were presented with the bill and the little to go boxes. This surprised us as several other diners who arrived at the same time were having coffee. We were seated at one of the few tables for four so perhaps they had another party coming? Whatever the reason, we felt rushed. Second, on reviewing the bill we discovered we had been charged for two classes of wine we had not ordered- at $40 each this was hardly a rounding error. I find it extremely rare to get overcharged at restaurants and for a fine dining establishment like the Inn at Little Washington I find it inexcusable. So the evening ended on a bit of a sour note. Finally, I do wonder if this price tag is sustainable. We had no difficulty getting reservations and looking ahead I found that most nights have availability.
Be the first to ReplyNot Worth the Sticker Price
If you enjoy fine dining and are looking for a place to spend over $1,000 of your hard-earned money, you can do much better than the Inn at Little Washington. For those chasing Michelin star experiences, this is one youāll want to quickly check off your list, question why it has those stars in the first place, and likely never return ā unless youāre one of the regulars who get special treatment. Like an uncanny blend of The Menu and The Village, the Inn at Little Washington promises to transport you back in time to when droves of wait staff acted as robots and were cycled through endlessly to accomplish highly specific individualized tasks for your dining pleasure. During our 5-course pre-paid meal, we met no less than 13 different staff members and were seated directly next to a wait station. The amount of anxiety and unease produced by the feeling that we were constantly being observed and listened to (and we were being listened to) in a quaint inn with many, many staff eerily standing around cannot be understated. Donāt get me wrong, everyone was perfectly pleasant in their demeanor and delivery, everyone was professionalā¦but maybe too professional? Everything felt choreographed (in a bad way) and there was no sense of warmth or comfort that a good server often brings to a meal out. Alcohol quality and service were excellent and reasonably priced (if not slightly on the high end, but in line with what youād expect at a place like this). With respect to the food: it was good (not great) and nowhere close to feeling like we got what we paid for. The portions on the amouse bouche, carpaccio, and lobster terrine were modest; however, the portion size of the main courses (duck breast and venison) were downright insulting. My wife got a single strip of duck (which was cooked expertly) and I got two silver dollar sized medallions of venison (also cooked expertly) which left us both wondering where the rest of our respective dishes were. For almost $900 (not including alcohol) we felt ripped off. The kicker for all this was receiving a bill at the end of the meal which included a 22% service charge. Now, in isolation, this is not an issue. But here, when we pre-paid the meal (as you are required to do to dine here) we already paid a 22% service charge. So why then, Dear Reader, should another identical charge be assessed? The whole experience felt like a cash grab for the unwitting. I would not recommend this place and I have serious questions regarding how they are able to maintain 3 Michelin stars. For much better experiences where you can feel that the value of your dollar is either met or exceeded, I recommend The Kitchen, Ella, or Roseās Luxury.
Be the first to ReplyAbsolutely impeccable
The Inn at Little Washington is a culinary experience. Dinner was sublime, service is impeccable and the location is amazing. A stay at the Inn is a must if coming for dinner. The team have an eye to every detail, and succeed at creating a transformative escape. They are totally invested in the guests and making sure they truly enjoying their stay.
Be the first to ReplyBeautiful Accommodations but Slightly Declining
We returned for two nights and stayed in the beautiful Claiborne House which is a truly special place where the chef owner once lived. But the hotel and restaurant has dipped in food and service. On arrival, the living room tea service was chaotic with personnel running in and out with supplies and tours being held. Dinner in the main dining room has gone very upwards in price but the selection and portions have gone downwards in size. I got two minuscule, but nicely tasting, pieces of venison. The appetizers were good but the dessert was disappointing. Similarly, the in room dining was mixed with a great smoked salmon and soup but vinegary roasted chicken and underwhelming dessert (I asked for the butter pecan sundae and got a regular kids one instead). Breakfast was fine but limited and they wonāt cook you a well done omelette . Patty Oās is a great alternative to the fussy Inn food. Service was hit or miss. Alexandra was lovely but the maitreād was obsequious. We did not like Navleen the front desk manager. She has poor intuition and is not authentic, calling to force us into a breakfast decision, misbiling us and hovering while I reviewed the bill. They also kept referring to my partner and me as Mr and Mrs in paperwork when we corrected them. Some people simply stated they wouldnāt even try to pronounce our complicated last name ā¦(?) Still itās a gorgeous locale and stop. With their upcoming expansion, I canāt help but think the trend here is towards commercialization. Somehow the charm was lost on us this time.
Be the first to ReplyThe most amazing hotel/restaurant in the world
Nothing is left to think about. Your every wish and desire has already been thought of. The staff is unbelievable and the restaurant is superb plus plus. Our room āPaula Peckā was cozy. Very well appointed. Our first nights dinner was from the classic menu and delicious. Our second nights dinner was fix prix and unbelievable truly a wonderful experience. Donāt miss the afternoon tea
Be the first to ReplyA Most Restorative Stay
Stayed here again two nights in July 2023 and everything was again flawless. The service is unparalleled, and dinner both nights was amazing. They varied the menu so we wouldn't encounter repeats the second night, and both meals were excellent. Our primary servers (Colleen and Katelin) were efficient and professional, and our sommelier (Colby) was knowledgeable and unpretentious about the wine pairings. Cameron is an institution, and he provided excellent cheese recommendations both evenings. Our room (#12) was perfect--the widow's walk offers a beautiful view in the evening. Meaghen at the front desk was helpful in ensuring all aspects of our stay were ideal, and they were. It is truly a place that restores one's sense of peace and well-being and continues to be an ideal retreat from day-to-day stress.
Be the first to ReplyA Culinary Experience of a Lifetime
We went to āThe Innā for the 1st time for our 50th Anniversary and to call it a āmeal at a restaurantā would be a colossal understatement ā¦ it was āa culinary experience of a lifetimeā ! Chef Patrick O has truly created something special here. From the personalized menus to the to the impeccable training & friendliness of the servers, it was an unprecedented experience for us. The food - oh my - words donāt really capture how wonderful the presentation and tastefulness were. We had never been to a Michelin Starred Restaurant, much less a 3-Michelin- Starred restaurant. It became clear to me that what makes this restaurant and Chef Patrick O so special is his commitment to exploring food combinations and preparations that - on the surface - may seem, well, strange, but without exception, they ALWAYS work. They create an explosion of flavors on the palette that begs to be savored. We chose the GASTRONAUT'S menu for the evening with me choosing the *pepper-Crusted Long island Duck Breast* for my main course, while my wife chose the *Duet of Lamb*. Both were thoroughly delicious and exceptionally prepared. But wait - thereās more !! We highly recommend the following to make you occasion even more special: 1. Get to quaint town of Washington, Virginia a few hours early so you can spend some time walking around āThe Innāsā grounds that contain the herb garden, chicken residences, llamas home, etc - as well as visiting some of the local shops. 2. Stay overnight. You wonāt regret it. We stayed at the awesome Foster Harris House (See separate review). 3. Go for a brief walk after eating to let it sink in. I could go on for a lot more, but you get the idea. Thank You Chef Patrick!! We WILL be back!
Be the first to ReplyPerfection!
When you spend a small fortune for a romantic getaway, expectations are high. The Inn at Little Washington did not disappoint. Every detail is sheer perfection. Each member of the staff was attentive yet unobtrusive, helpful without being overbearing, and uniformly friendly. At our welcome tea in the stunning conservatory, Cameron, the Tea Master and "Cheese Whiz" answered our questions about tea history and ceremony. I have a new appreciation for my favorite beverage. Our room, #2 (Jacques Pepin) was gorgeous, spacious and comfortable. The bathroom was huge and contained every amenity one could wish. Many establishments suffered during the Covid shutdown and have lowered their standards. Not Chef Patrick. Every time I visit I am assured of a blissful experience. Our dinner was magnificent-- imaginative, whimsical and absolutely delicious from first bite until the last. The wine pairings were perfectly matched to each dish (of course!). Well worth the cost - in both calories and dollars.
Be the first to ReplyComfy beds
We stayed here with family back in December staff were very pleasant will most definitely be returning, food was very tasty and the outside grounds were lovely the decor was impeccable you have most definitely got the Michelin star restaurant where it needs to be
Be the first to ReplyDisappointed in service
We were disappointed in the service. Since the food was good, but not amazing, I had hoped to experience the exceptional service that the Inn is supposed to have. I am not sure if there is too much turnover in the staff, but the best description I have is of a marching band with a lot of people on the field but a few weeks before their peak. Time and again, we had to ask for basic service, while many service staff circled us and other diners. The worst example was the very expensive wine pairing. Two times we actually had to call over a waiter and ask if we were being provided a wine pairing since the food came with no indication of whether a new wine pairing was coming. And the sommelierās descriptions of the wine pairings were underwhelming when he finally did show up. My husband asked for a very hot cappuccino with sugar. The cappuccino came -no sugar and we had to ask twice for it. I have eaten at other high end restaurants and had much better service and more interesting food. These issues may sound petty, but not when we spent more than $2,000 for 3 people.
Be the first to ReplyAvoid Room 3
We recently spent two night at the Inn. We enjoyed our stay, except for one major issue: we couldnāt sleep due to noise coming from the kitchen, which was located next to our room. We had booked room #3, not realizing that it was located next to the kitchen. On our first day, after a long drive, we tried to nap before dinner, but found sleep difficult due to the noise. On our second night, we were awakened at 2:30 am by banging and what sounded like drilling coming from next door. The Inn has a nerve charging sky high prices for a noisy room. Upon complaining, we were given a minimal break on the room rate but left feeling disappointed in our overall experience.
Be the first to ReplyFlawless Stay
Stayed here two nights toward the end of July. Everything was flawless, especially the service. The room (the Thomas Keller suite) was outstanding, and all of the amenities were perfect. Have stayed here previously and did not notice any decline in quality from prior visits. It is pricey but well worth it, and the afternoon tea remains to die for.
Be the first to ReplyThe Prices Have Gone Through the Roof
My wife and I have stayed at The Inn At Little Washington four times. It is truly an elegant, extravagant place, from the accommodations through the fabulous dining experience. All the praise in other reviews is merited. My only slight quibble is that when we have gone on weeknights we have found things sometimes to be a half-step below what they should be. Patrick O'Connell is often not there. Nice touches that we had, maybe, on our first visit were missing. Service at the meal slightly less attentive. But a small quibble. But now let's talk about the prices. We all know that inflation is roaring in the country. And, yes, the Inn has those 3 Michelin stars. Probably staff is very hard to find and keep in these times. But what is happening is, in my view, gouging. When we last went in the Fall of 2020, less than two years ago, the price of the dinner was $218 per person. To most, that is breathtakingly high. However, it is a unique dining experience. We are retired and comfortable, so we paid it and stayed the night. To us, it was worth it, though it was pushing our ceiling. We wanted to go back, less than 2 years later. The cost of dinner is now $328 per person!!! Stunning. That is a 50% increase. You may factor in all the inflation and labor costs you wish, there is no justification for a price increase like that. Room rates have similarly shot up beyond all reason. Once you factor in wine with dinner (not included in the $328) , tips, taxes, etc. you are paying $2,500+ for 18 hours at the Inn. Wow! It is a great place. But my wife and I will chose to spend our money on something a little less extravagant.
Be the first to ReplyDisappointed
Went with friends to celebrate a major birthday. The Inn was fully booked so we spent one night at the Claiborne House and the second night at the Mayor's House. The Claiborne House was great but the Mayor's House was a disappointment. We asked the staff for extra towels and toiletries - we never got them. The upstairs area was dusty and we had to wipe the furniture down. I give a 4-star rating because the dinner and the breakfasts were excellent. As others have mentioned - check the bill - we were charged our welcoming drinks (just lemonades). Still waiting for the hotel to correct that. The charges are small relative to the total expense but they should know not to charge the welcoming drinks. For a hotel that prides itself on excellence, there were gaps.
Be the first to ReplyThe Inn has gone downhill for sure
The day my Wife and I got engaged, I had booked us the suite with the outdoor patio in the Carter house and we stayed the night and had dinner/pairing/etc. It was amazing. Fast forward 11 years later for our 10 year wedding anniversary, I booked the same suite 6 months in advance of the date so that we could re-do the experience. Upon arrival we were escorted to the suite above and told that the people that had stayed the night before decided to stay another night, so essentially sorry for your bad luck. We went in for tea and requested a menu to order food. We had to ask multiple times for a menu. They forgot multiple drink orders (in the same seating), the sommelier ran out of wine for a course and forgot to come back and missed wine for a course all together, etc. The food was amazing, but the experience was lack luster for lack of better term. The overall attitude of management towards the hotel experience was what you would expect at the Holiday Inn....not the Inn at Little Washington.
Be the first to ReplyUnbelievable!!
The best restaurant experience I've ever had. My wife and I stayed overnight, at the "Mayor's Cottage" and felt pampered all the way - great accommodations, including our own private garden, with housekeeping to beat the band. The food - superb. You will pay for the experience, lodging above $1,000 and dinner was $320 each, with my wine flight an extra $200 plus. It is well worth the cost. This is a "memories" place and should be on everybody's bucket list.
Be the first to ReplyOutstanding!
After hearing so many positive comments and reading so many reviews (and seeing TV specials and local news shows) about The Inn over the past 20 years or so, I finally decided to visitā¦ I arranged to go over a weekend for my wifeās birthday and the weather couldnāt have been more perfect! Upon arriving, they provided the utmost in service and it remained that way until we checked out, after two nights. Anything you want or need, theyāre there to provide it. They learn about their guests and know them and are always there, standing by to take care of anything you need. Itās impressive to have them refer to you by name, especially staff you havenāt seen before! And when you come down before breakfast, tea or dinner, theyāre standing by, waiting to take you to your table. You never sign a thing, you just enjoy yourself and enjoy being immersed in the best experience ever! We did dinner one evening and that was truly a special event! Weāve done many dinners that are considered exclusive, hi-end and some even had a star, but none like thisā¦ There was absolutely no pretentiousness! The staff was very down to earth and made guests feel comfortable. The food preparations are truly a work of art! The unique creations, depth of flavors, freshness and presentations were all stunning and incredible! This is DEFINITELY something everyone should experience at least once in their lives! Avery special person who really helped make this evening even more special, was Christine Barr, the Somm at our tableā¦ First off, there were three Somms in the dining room, something Iāve never seen anywhere else! But Christine not only have a true appreciation for wine (which was evident in her discussions with us) but her knowledge of not only varietals, but also regions and champagne houses was incredible, so was her French! She paid close attention to us, as Iām sure she did all her other guests and we trusted her to choose all three bottles we enjoyed during dinner. Daily breakfast and afternoon tea were both a special experience, highlighted by incredible food! Iām an omelette aficionado and their omelettes were outstanding! They make the most PERFECT French omelette and each day stuffed them with something interesting and different. Their tea selection is one of the largest Iāve seen! Definitely take your time to read, review and make your decision! And the setting for both breakfast and tea couldnāt be any prettier! We thoroughly enjoyed all of the staff who made our staycation (because we only live an hour away) so special! From Adam at the front desk/lobby to the young lady we saw each day at breakfast and tea (I think her name was Amanda?) in the atrium, she was so very personable and provided the best service! Adam was very personable and did a great job being very professional, while being very personable as well! Our suite, we stayed in the Jacques Pepin suite was OUTSTANDING! Such a beautiful room with comfortable amenities. The dĆ©cor was outstanding! I really liked that there was a foyer when you walked in, with a separate closet off the foyer and the full bathroom also off the foyer, then the bedroom, which was outstanding! It not only offered a fireplace, but also three sets of French doors to the outside, with a balcony. The bed was extremely comfortable and offered the most perfect firm mattress. A nice touch we enjoyed was the room being refreshed each time we left (whether for breakfast, tea, dinner, etcā¦ someone touched up the room, replaced towels, etc), as it was nice to return to a fresh room! Then, there was the turn down service, which allowed us to come back to a room which was perfectly lit and ready for the closing of the eveningās adventures. It was also nice to come back to a surprise in our room each time we left; there was typically something from the bakery in the room. Housekeeping also tidied up cell phone cables and other items we might have left strewn about, a nice touch! The grounds we serene and nicely-manicured! Whether we walked the border trail, near Chefās house or the beautiful garden in front of the Claiborne House, everything was gorgeous! Even walking through this part of the beautiful Town of Little Washington was delightful! All of the attention to detail throughout was stunning, from the candles (yes, stick candles) lit throughout to the beautiful wall paper in the bar that evoked interesting thoughts and conversation (great during drinking) of what the decoratorās ideas were to the amazing ceiling in the main foyerā¦ Everything was gorgeous and we loved our stay there and weāll most definitely return and stay againā¦ soon!
Be the first to ReplyLovely Hotel, Mediocre (at best) Restaurant
My wife and I recently stayed at The Inn at Little Washington and also dined there that same night. Our room was generally lovely and well appointed. My only ding on the room was the bedding felt like it came from a JC Penney "Bed in a Box". Not commensurate - or even in the same universe of quality as the rest of the room. Before dinner we had a cocktail in the bar. Lovely. Great service, great drink. The restaurant is an abundant enigma. I have eaten at 18 3-Micheline starred restaurants - some multiple times, and The Inn at Little Washington is hands-down the worst Micheline starred restaurant (of any level) I have ever eaten at. The food itself was well prepared and well presented - for the most part. I would give it one Michelin star. Not adventurous or experimental enough for two stars, and certainly not extraordinary enough to have three stars. The service experience was in the words of another reviewer "abysmal." Our sommelier did a fine job and was the highlight of the meal. Our primary server was another story altogether - awkward, uncomfortable and absent. When the savory courses were over we waited thirty minutes for the sorbet course to come out. After commenting on the delay and asking as to to the timing of our dessert and cheese courses, my dessert course came out another twenty minutes later. The dessert itself looked like it was a days old specimen you might find on a lunch counter at a diner, never intended for consumption. I didn't eat it for the twenty minutes we waited for the cheese cart to come back around, and I didn't eat it after either. It had clearly aged enough. My wife at this point having waited the better part of 90 minutes to receive her dessert, also declined. This is level of service is unacceptable for any restaurant. Never mind a Michelin-starred restaurant. Never mind a 3-Michelin starred restaurant. There is no excuse at a 3-Michelin star restaurant - EVER - that's what makes it special - absolute, unwavering consistency. The kitchen - in service of their ginormous dining room is more of a factory than anything else - or shall we say cash register. When you dine there you don't get the sense that they care about food at all. They care about having a job and bilking as much money as they can from you under the guise of being 3-stars. It isn't 3-stars. Not even a little bit. We followed our meal at the Inn at Little Washington with three other back-to-back Michelin starred meals in DC: Sushi Taro, El Cielo and Cranes. All three delivered a passion for food and experience commensurate with their level - I would say they all delivered even beyond that. Don't go to Inn at Little Washington. The restaurant isn't worth it. And if you're not going for the restaurant there's no reason to shell out $1200 night to visit a town that is primarily owned by the restaurant. And definitely don't go for your birthday.
Be the first to Reply