I stayed at the Black Horse Inn in the beginning of December 2005. It was a surprise for my girlfriend, to celebrate our 3-year anniversary. While we were driving, we rounded a bend in the road, and my girlfriend spots an amazingly breathtaking mansion on a hill and remarks how beautiful it was. It turns out that this was the Inn. The outside of the house was being decorated with Christmas decorations.

We rang the bell and were greeted at the door by our hostess, who gave us a tour of the mansion. The inside was decorated for Christmas too, with a tree and garland and other flourishes here and there. A fire was going in the den. Every part of the house looked warm and inviting. Our room, Reynard's Retreat, was very large and charming. We set our bags down, and went into the den to watch a movie. They had a shelf with a few selections, but "White Christmas" seemed appropriate. My girlfriend and I cuttled up on the couch, and another couple joined us to watch the movie. With the fireplace going, we felt right at home. Afternoon tea was served in the late afternoon, and included a cheese plate, wine, and soda...but no tea! I didn't seem to mind.

After getting ready for dinner in our room with a jacuzzi bath and lighting a fire (the Inn provides Duralogs) in our fireplace, we left for dinner. We stropped for some pictures downstairs, and there was nobody around! We felt like we owned the house, it was pretty amazing! I surprised my girlfriend again by going to the Inn at Little Washington and giving her a ring. We returned to a quiet house later that night, but the Christmas lights at night highlighted the amazing mansion on top of the hill.

The next morning, we had breakfast at a dining room table with other guests, and my fiancee got to show off her ring. The food was good, and the hostess was very helpful. I felt like I was visiting friends, I never got a hotel or "this-is-a-business" vibe. We walked around the grounds, which included a horse-farm, and told politely that the barn was off limits when we wandered in there. But we did ask for something to feed the horses on the field, and the hostess cut up some apples for us, which was a bit of a thrill. Before leaving, we couldn't help but take a look at their wedding facility (we just got engaged after all), and it was also pretty amazing. Although, it seemed too expensive for us.

All in all, this was a truly memorable stay for many reasons. It is a warm, iniviting, country estate. It is the kind of bed and breakfast that you always envision one will be, and we hope to go back soon.