The Inn at Meander Plantation

After a lot of research on B&B’s in Virginia wine country I decided on The Inn at Meander Plantation for my wife’s birthday. Glad that I made this choice.
Meander is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from Washington, D.C. As we drove up we were first impressed with the well manicured grounds. The Inn Keeper gave us a warm greeting and showed us to our cottage. The Inn has rooms in the main house as well as several cottages on the grounds. Our cottage was well appointed and spacious. Had everything you could ask for minus a television. I knew this going in and am not sure if a television is offered in other rooms but not having one was perfect for a romantic getaway. We stayed in the Madison Cottage.
Breakfast was at 9 each morning and very good, always served with a smile. The package I bought included a picnic lunch for our day at a local winery as well as a dinner one night of our stay. Both were just as good as breakfast. The Inn is within 20 – 25 minutes of several wineries as well as other local and historical attractions.
The accommodations, food, and overall service made our stay here well worth it and I would highly recommend Meander. I look forward to staying here again.

We stayed at the Inn last week for two nights — a retirement gift. What a lovely experience! We stayed at the Grooms Cottage (originally used for the groomsmen for the horses). The cottage was lovely and we had a nice gas fireplace for the chilly morning. Our breakfasts were superb and the Thursday dinner was such a treat with the wine pairings — presentation was one of the finest and the meal delicious.
We enjoyed our sunset dinner basket the first night watching the sun set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Loved walking around the grounds — beautifully manicured. Room had no traces of dogs staying there. We did not have a four legged friend but met guests that did.
Check out the local wineries and the James Madison Museum in nearby Orange County seat — a treat for history buffs.

We just returned from an amazing two night stay at The Inn at Meander Plantation! We will definitely return and will recommend this inn to family and friends! We stayed in the Summer Kitchen and it was delightful! We were so impressed with the two levels and two fireplaces for the price! We’ve paid much more for a tiny room at other VA inns. The manicured and well marked trails around the 80 acre property were a delight! We walked along a river and through open fields with gorgeous mountain views and horses grazing in neighboring pastures. It was just what we needed to get away from it all! I was thrilled that dinner at the inn was mandatory when you choose a weekend stay because we may have chosen a more cost effect meal and then missed out on one of the best meals of our lives! The food was absolutely delicious, well seasoned and fresh! The course offerings were nicely varied for all tastes. We splurged on the wine pairing and we were so pleased at how well the wine paired with the food and it was so nice to be able to taste VA wines from some wineries we hadn’t visited yet. My husband and I relished each selection! Breakfast each morning was a delicious 3 course feast! So much more food and much more delicious upscale food than you get at most B&B’s! Our waitress, Taylor, was the same polite, sweet girl who greeted us on arrival and showed us to our room. She was so kind and helpful during our stay! There were no pretentious attitudes as we’ve experienced at other inns. The innkeeper was a delight as well!
There was a binder in our room that was very informative with history of the Inn and innkeepers and a map of the property and trails. It also included local attractions, wineries and restaurants for all budgets and food styles! It was very thorough and helpful in planning our outings.
And finally the fact that they allow you to bring your four legged family members is priceless! Our two dogs loved walking the trails with us. The dog friendly rooms come with a basket of doggie towels to wipe muddy paws, and a sheet to protect furniture. Despite being dog friendly the rooms were very clean and comfortable for us all.
I truly can’t say enough about this inn! Please do yourself a favor and book a stay there! Be sure to splurge on dinner! It is so very worth it!

Stayed here for during the weekend I got engaged to my fiancée… Place was bliss.

What a pleasant visit. My wife and I highly recommend this bed and breakfast. Recommendation: Come prepared to eat well. We weren’t expecting the gourmet menu and wine pairings. Delight with each bite and sip.

We had a wedding to attend at a nearby vineyard and stayed two nights at the inn. It was a super getaway weekend and we just loved the ambiance of the plantation and all the Christmas decorations. We Smelled the fresh pine upon entering the front door and immediately felt the warmth of the season. Our two room suite was spacious and immaculate. Dinner and breakfast were definitely in our top ten of best restaurants we’ve eaten at. They also accommodated my gluten allergy with gluten free bread and muffins. The salad and squash apple soup were my favorites. It was a perfect mix of favors with nothing too over powering with spices. The fresh bass was moist and perfectly seasoned. Breakfast our last day was yummy and once again the mix of favors was excellent. We can’t wait to go back!

Special adventures that commemorate special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc… are said to become moments of which memories are made. That was our intention when we booked a three day wedding anniversary weekend at The Inn at Meander Plantation. To our surprise this magical place, an eighty acre, two hundred and forty year old, plantation located in Locust Dale, Virginia became our special memory.
It is described as a Bed & Breakfast, Country Inn and gourmet restaurant. It is so much more. The proprietors/​owners, Suzanne, who was a wonderful host and Suzi (who we never did get to meet) have created a «somewhere-​in-​time» place where you easily step back in history. The fireplaces, original window panes, creaky hard-​wood floors and furnishings and décor all add to the charm and authenticity of the inn.
We chose the Pet Welcoming Package, which is one of the Inn’s specials. It included a stand-​alone cottage (we chose The Groom’s Cottage), home-​made doggie treats (Callie’s favorite cheddar biscuits), a water bowl, doggie linens (towels and sheets), a three course dinner basket, which we ate in our room, a gourmet picnic lunch and breakfast each morning of our stay. Everything, and I do mean everything was perfect. Right down to the lovely note from the owners that was tucked in our dinner basket.
We roamed the entire plantation, taking in the path around the river, which runs the whole length of the property; the stables, which were located right outside our cottage; the graveyard and the main house. Having coffee in our room with the fireplace roaring made the cold mornings cozy and charming. Breakfast was delicious and freshly prepared each morning. We chose to eat our breakfast outside on the back porch so that our black lab, Gracie could join us. She was even treated to more of Callie’s Cheddar Biscuits to quiet her morning tummy rumbles.
From check-​in to check-​out The Inn at Meander Plantation made our twelfth anniversary getaway perfect. It was a weekend worthy of a keepsake memory.

Stayed for our honeymoon midweek at the Madison Cottage, not at all how it was advertised and extremely disappointed with the overall quality, lack of hospitality, unfriendliness, cleanliness and overall upkeep. We were the only people staying on property and yet no one was available to assist with suggestions for the local area. We were told only when we arrived they wouldn’t be serving dinner and then when asked what other options are in the area no effort was made to help us at all. The price of the room was not justifiable for the room at all, there is defiantly potential but overall the property seemed extremely old and run down. Again we were the only guest at the inn yet there were construction workers cutting trees down at 7am on our first morning and listening to loud music right outside our room. This was a major celebration in our life’s and yet no effort was made to make our stay special or even just nice. We were so very disappointed that we ended up leaving early and just driving home at night just so we didn’t have to stay another minute. We loved the area but would not be visit the Meander Inn.

My husband and I have stayed at the Inn at Meander Plantation three times this year, including earlier this month for our wedding. The Inn is beautiful and the staff is friendly and extremely hospitable. We rented out the entire Inn (10 rooms) for our friends and family and had a small ceremony on the front steps followed by a nice four-​course dinner. The setting was beautiful and the staff accommodated every request we had. I highly recommend staying at the Inn at Meander Plantation for we romantic weekend away. We will be back (hopefully!) very soon!

I got married here this past spring and let me tell you I am a hard person to please. The idea of putting the fate of my perfect day in someone else’s hands was terrifying! But after my experience I can say confidently I now 100% believe the outstanding reviews this establishment has. From driving up and seeing the beautiful house to leaving and wishing I had booked a longer stay (or taken a few extra cookies they made with me!) this was the most wonderful experience I have ever had and not just because it was my wedding day. The inn keeper Suzanne is so sweet and within a few hours I really felt like an old friend who had come to stay. She handled every detail so beautifully! The pictures were gorgeous in the box wood garden, with all the flowers in bloom! Our cake was so simple and elegant all wrapped into one and my bouquet I defiantly have to preserve somehow because it fit so perfectly! The grounds are just breathtaking I don’t think you could take a bad picture anywhere if you tried. There’s so many flowers and birds as well as a lovely fountain out back. We took a bunch of shots and Suzanne was so happy to do that for us and they turned out wonderful. Our dinner was… 5 stars all around. And not just the mouth watering food (don’t get me wrong I will never have another filet anywhere else again without being disappointed) but just the atmosphere of this place really is what makes it somewhere you can’t wait to come back to. The staff don’t just do their «job» and get you things. They chatted with us and were so polite! Ok I’m going on a bit but I just can’t wait to come back to this gem of a place. I already booked for our anniversary before we left and I am counting down the days till I get to have that delicious breakfast again! (Don’t expect the same olé bagel fruit continental tired breakfast every hotel seems to have) defiantly deserve 5 stars!

I’m really surprised this place has good reviews. People must have really low expectations considering the price tag to stay in an old room, infested with dead bugs, stained furniture, and poor customer service. Do they do any real cleaning on the grounds? Who knows?
I found myself completely underwhelmed by the inn keeper. We had been planning an elopement package with the establishment and when we went to visit the location to check out the space and all they had to offer, we were given very short and abrupt answers. She didn’t try very hard to make the sale at all. This was very disappointing considering that although we are doing something small, it still very much a special day. Unfortunately we decided to book and put down a deposit. BTW that’s the only time she cracked a smile while we were there — when we took out our money cards!
Luckily we found a better accommodation with friendly and responsive staff. The downside is we are still waiting for our refund from the meander inn.
Told it was coming last week. Still waiting. cricket, cricket

My wife and son stay a week at The Inn at Meander Plantation. We felt like guests at someone home rather than a B & B. The service was impeccable; the food was excellent. My son is a Civil War buff and wanted to see the battleground. The Inn was centrally located for all of the sites. I would return to the Inn over and over again. Thanks to Susanne, Jenae, and Abey for all their hospitality.

My husband and I went for a little «mini-​moon» and couldn’t have been happier with the inn. We stayed in the Shearer Suite which was lovely. Adirondack chairs positioned towards the sunset and gorgeous scenery. We did a Wine Country package which was an awesome deal… came with wine and cheese on arrival, dinner in the suite, a picnic lunch to take with us the next day. Not to mention their amazing 3-​course breakfasts are included. Crepes, egg rancheros, waffles, baked peaches, fresh muffins (all locally sourced).
We enjoyed the peace and quiet for sure. There are also places on the plantation to hike and you are greeted by plenty of friendly animals… horses, a dog, a cat. Would highly recommend if you need a break from how busy life gets!

This bed and breakfast is absolutely wonderful, quite a gem for the area. My boyfriend and I stayed for a couple of days and from the three course breakfast to the cheese and crackers upon arrival everything was quite delightful. The staff was welcoming and cheery, as was the dog who lives there. We stayed in the Robinson room which had quite a bit of character and was separate from the main house– so it felt more intimate. The house itself is absolutely beautiful and the grounds are amazing. The worst part of this place is leaving! I recommend this place for a nice retreat and romantic weekend. We will be returning as soon as possible!

We enjoyed our stay this weekend at The Inn at Meander Plantation. Our room was a little smaller than it appeared in the picture but was very comfortable. My only complaint was the lack of any drawers to unpack your suitcase. We had dinner at the inn on Friday night — the setting, candle light and food made for a romantic evening. The service was also attentive but not intrusive. Breakfasts at the inn are delicious. Seeing the other guests in the dining room allowed for interesting conversation and sharing what each of the people had done while at the inn. We learned about the Copper Fox Distillery nearby from another couple. A delightful experience that we would have missed if not for the conversations from table to table over breakfast. The owner and staff are so nice and very knowledgeable about the area. Plan to stay there if you are in the area.

Yes. Yes. And Yes. I was treated to the restaurant portion of the Inn for my birthday by my wonderful fiancé. For the first time having ever been treated to a fine dinner on my Bday, I am so happy this was the place. The other reviews here are accurate in their descriptions of events and ours was no different. We arrived early to enjoy the parlor room during the cocktail hour and was professionally and warmly greeted by the hostess/​server. The entry and living rooms are superb in atmosphere and ambiance, keeping the décor as the essence of a 300 year old plantation. It was beautiful. We each had a glass of a local Virginia wine, Gray Ghost Chardonnay, and immediately became fans of Virginia Wines. During dinner a person can choose by the glass or a wine pairing with dinner. My fiancé chose to get one glass due to driving while I indulged in the wine pairing. Each were spot on for the courses presented. My only problem is I couldn’t drink quite fast enough to be prepared for each course. That is a good problem to have! Each course of the dinner was simply amazing. I don’t know who the chef is, but kudos, bravo and hells yeah to him/​her! Two of the dishes were the best I’ve had of those sort. Nothing was lack, though, we didn’t care too much for the mashed potatoes as the sauce was too tart for the savory meat. But again, an easy issue to overcome when everything is so good.
I’m no gourmand, but this was exquisite dining for a fair price of a five course meal and professional service. I’ve eaten in a few fine dining restaurants in my time and this was just as good and in two cases, completely better. First, I have NEVER been a fan of sweet potatoes or yams. Everyone always tells me to try theirs and I’ll be a convert. I have politely eaten pounds of that horrible marshmallow/​brown sugar/​butter/​sweet potato concoction so popular at Thanksgiving and every year it gets harder and harder to swallow another mushy sweet bite. But the Inn here has made me rethink sweet potato as an ingredient. It was made into a soup with cream and bits of bacon. Succulent and sweet and creamy and divine! The second dish was the cheese cake. Please spare me about how you can only get good cheesecake in NY or Chicago or wherever, because I’m telling you this cheesecake is nothing short of a modern baking miracle. The secret (shhhhhhh) is that it was made with goat milk. It was light but creamy and one of the most incredible things I’ve ever eaten. I double dog dare you to find better!
I only had one small complaint and it had nothing to do with the Inn, the restaurant or dinner. One couple felt this dining experience was only worth jeans and North Face jackets. Everyone else wore at least business casual. Frankly, I thought the jeans and outdoor jackets were inappropriate.
I could probably go on and on about how fantastic the Inn at Meander is, but words hardly do it justice. I know there are several great places between Orange and Culpeper Counties, but so far, this is the tops. Simply the tops. It has now become my favorite restaurant in the DC/​mid-​Atlantic region.

I took my fiancé to the inn for his birthday dinner and every bit of this dining experience was sublime. I can’t recommend this place enough for a special dinner or celebration. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable and the five course meal was one of the best I had ever had. The ambiance is perfect and romantic. It is truly a special occasion you will never forget. The wine was all local selections from Virginia, paired with the most delicious salad, sweet potato soup, vegetable sides and the most tender cut of filet mignon I had ever had. The desert that followed was hands down, the best goat cheesecake ever! I truly cannot express how wonderful this whole evening was, you really should experience it for yourself. I can’t wait to go back!

My boyfriend and I were invited to a wedding in nearby Culpeper, so we decided to make a Valentine’s weekend getaway out of it. We had the best time at the Inn at Meander Planation! The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because it’s the only bed and breakfast I’ve ever stayed in, and I have no point of comparison.
We were able to book the Lightfoot Room just two weeks in advance of our stay. When we arrived, a lovely staff member escorted us to our room and showed us how to turn on the amazing gas fireplace to make it warm and cozy.
We were just in time for our dinner reservation at 7, so we quickly changed and headed to the dining room. FYI, attire at dinner can be casual, but no jeans. The four-​course dinner was divine. My courses were a spinach salad with goat cheese and roasted pear, tempura shrimp, salmon with white beans and pot de crème for dessert. Service by the same lovely staff person who showed us our room was great. She was personable and polite — this is not a stuffy B&B, despite the old Virginia accoutrements. Each party sits at their own table, so don’t worry about dining at close range with strangers.
Next morning’s breakfast was equally as enjoyable. Coffee is brewing at 8:30, and breakfast is served a 9. It’s another multiple-​course affair that started with fresh-​baked muffins one morning and piping hot scones the next.
The inn is beautifully landscaped, which would be a real treat to see in spring. Bird feeders, a fountain and rocking chairs outside our room provided a countryside ambiance I don’t normally experience being a city dweller. If you go, take a jaunt around the 80-​acre grounds and say hello to the horses. After our hearty breakfasts, we enjoyed the walks even in chilly weather.
There are no TVs in the rooms, which I greatly appreciated. You won’t run out of things to do with shopping in downtown Culpeper and James Madison’s Montpelier only a few miles away.

The Inn has a special place in our hearts. We haven’t been in a couple of years, but the owners I’m sure have only improved it. (I do believe the chef who was there at the time (August 2008) has moved on.
We were seeking a week in the VA countryside with our two dogs and great food. The Inn has pet-​friendly cottages that are perfectly appointed – neither too over the top nor too spare – perfect country manor-​style without being fussy. They gave us special towels for the dogs, and a special blanket to cover the bed and sofa if the dogs got onto the furniture.
The grounds have plenty to keep one occupied for relaxation – many acres to walk and explore along a river and through fields, horses surround the inn and there is an adjoining working farm. And the location – a short drive to Culpepper on the north and Orange to the south; Montpelier nearby, and some quite good wineries to visit (which they will recommend the ones to see and avoid!).
Breakfasts – I never wanted these to end. 3 courses, served in the manor house dining room. Excellent coffee, and food that was all around quite good, thankfully not falling into that genre of B&B food where the cook is unable to execute the lofty vision (you know, the minced herbs over an omelette with fruit wedges, when the elements are all at different temperatures and stages of doneness – these gals know what they’re doing).
We had the dinner a few different nights of our stay. I think I read the chef is gone, so I’ll spare the review of that. He was from DC and without a doubt, cooked the most amazing piece of salted cod in a miso-​glaze, a dish that I still taste and lust after (and have tried to recreate on numerous occasions). I could only imagine the ladies who run the place have capably taken the reins – we’ll see when we return!

Step into Luxury when you dine here. Candlelight in the evening is perfect for the romantic occasion. Local fare and exquisite presentation are the backdrop to the flavors and textures offered by the chef. Unique plating techniques provide an expression of art as only the gifted culinary experts can accomplish.
Definitely worth the splurge!
The Inn at Meander is never boring, as they offer special menus and changing selections.