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 visit… I arranged to go over a weekend for my wife’s birthday and the weather couldn’t 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, they’re 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. It’s impressive to have them refer to you by name, especially staff you haven’t seen before! And when you come down before breakfast, tea or dinner, they’re 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! We’ve done many dinners that are considered exclusive, hi-end and some even had a star, but none like this… 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 table… First off, there were three Somms in the dining room, something I’ve 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 I’m 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! I’m 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 I’ve seen! Definitely take your time to read, review and make your decision! And the setting for both breakfast and tea couldn’t 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 décor 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, etc… 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 evening’s 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 Chef’s 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 decorator’s ideas were to the amazing ceiling in the main foyer… Everything was gorgeous and we loved our stay there and we’ll most definitely return and stay again… soon!

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.