7 Reasons to Visit Virginia’s Goodstone Inn

Couples seeking some privacy and togetherness have a fabulous option in Virginia. Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, located an hour from Washington, D.C., and a short drive to downtown Middleburg, is a picturesque country estate set on 265 acres.

Here are seven reasons to book a sojourn there:

The property has a storied history.

The Goodstone Inn dates back to 1768 when Jamie “the Scot” Leith purchased land in the Virginia colony and built a plantation. After the Civil War, his son Benjamin settled on the property and in 1915 sold it to the Goodwin family, who renamed it after the large stone house they built (now the poolhouse). Frederick Warburg and his wife purchased it in 1934 and operated it as a horse and dairy farm. The current owner bought the property in 1996 when he fell in love with it during a visit, and, since 1998, it’s been one of the region’s most idyllic spots to escape to.

Carlyle Junior Suite. Photo Courtesy of Hurray Brands

There are varied accommodations and each is romantic and sumptuous in its own way.

The inn offers 18 charming guestrooms and suites across six historic guest cottages and houses, with each room individually decorated in a combination of French and English décor with historical touches. The Carlyle Jr. Suite is set in a stable wing, with a queen bed, sitting area, mini-fridge and combination claw-foot tub and shower. The Bull Barn Cottage must be the most romantic, an elegant country cottage with vaulted ceilings and exposed wood beams as well as a wood-burning stone fireplace. Its bedroom has a king-sized sleigh bed and television, while the bathroom touts dual copper sinks, a jetted soaking tub with a picture window and a multi-jetted shower. It’s no wonder this cottage is dubbed the Honeymoon Suite.

Angus Deluxe Room. Photo Courtesy of Hurray Brands

You can enjoy signature fine dining in a gorgeous space from a renowned chef.

The 50-seat Conservatory is the Goodstone Inn’s signature restaurant, overseen by executive chef Jan Van Haute, who formerly worked at the three-Michelin-starred Hof van Cleve in his native Belgium, and as executive chef to the Ambassador of Belgium in Washington, D.C. Van Haute’s farm-to-table, French-inspired, fixed-price menu, with optional wine pairings and standout dishes like Hamachi crudo with cucumber and yuzu topped with Belgian Royal Caviar and pheasant served with celery root, huckleberry and a croquette. And it’s all enjoyed in a greenhouse-inspired space with a soaring ceiling, windows aplenty and a wood-burning fireplace. (Oh, and guests under 14 are not permitted to stay at the property nor dine at either of the Goodstone’s culinary concepts, assuring a relaxed and adults-only experience.)

Goodstone Inn Bar. Photo Courtesy of Hurray Brands

… or more casual fare upstairs.

The Bistro is the Goodstone’s new casual hunting club-esque, 30-seat venue, open for breakfast, lunch, cocktails, light fare, lunch and dinner. An à la carte Belgian-French menu includes approachable yet elevated options like French onion soup, sautéed fish of the day in a lemon beurre blanc, roasted chicken with fingerling potatoes and a burger with Randall Lineback Beef, blue cheese, caramelized onions and mushrooms.

Spa services are offered in a unique setting and there are other wellness options.

Book a treatment at the renovated farmstead barn to detox, hydrate and rejuvenate via a facial or couples’ massage. Guests can borrow mountain bikes to explore the area, canoe on Goose Creek and walk along the more than three miles of hiking trails and estate paths. Staff can recommend options for horseback riding and golf nearby.

Conservatory. Photo Courtesy of Hurray Brands

The pool and games are a perfect way to spend a warm and sunny afternoon.

The heated swimming pool adjacent to the Carriage House, open seasonally, is built from original 19^th-century stonework and features changing rooms and a hot tub. After a dip, play a game of shuffleboard, bocce, croquet or horseshoes on the lawn. And if you wait for sunset to embark on a nature walk you can arrange for a hidden picnic to be set up and end your night looking at the stars.

Goodstone Manor House. Photo Courtesy of Hurray Brands

The inn is conveniently located near shops, wineries and more.

The Goodstone Inn is a 10-minute drive from the cute town of Middleburg and its boutiques, locally run retail stores, antique shops and art galleries; Middleburg is also home to The National Sporting Library & Museum, which houses one of the largest amounts of information about horses and field spots in the country. Also located a short drive away are wineries like Greenhill Winery & Vineyards, Boxwood Estate, Slater Run Vineyards and Stone Tower Winery, where guests can taste award-winning Virginia wines made with Viognier, Chardonnay and red Bordeaux-style blends.

Rooms at The Goodstone Inn start at $249 double-occupancy. For more information, visit the website.

Dutch Cottage Living Room. Photo Courtesy of Hurray Brands