The Inn at Meander Plantation- Trip Report!
Apr 27th, 2013, 05:55 AM
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The Inn at Meander Plantation- Trip Report!
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-inn-in-va.cfm
Thank you for the recommendation, Starr's. This was perfect for my needs. I arrived Thursday at 3:00 after four days of having packed boxes, hauled things to Salvation Army and dealt with a demented angry emotional mother in assisted living, who did not want to be there.... By noon on Thursady, I was out of the DC area.
A nice drive down 66 and 29 took me to the Culpepper/Orange exit at 2:00pm. I spent an hour lolly-gagging around the shops at Culpepper. I bought my self a scarf with spring colors and a pair of beaded earrings.
By 3:00, I made it to the gates of Meander Plantation, which BTW was a starting point for one of the civil war battles. I felt like I was driving up to Tara in Gone With the Wind. Casual, Colonial, Elegance at its best. I was the first guest who had arrived that day. Callie the four year old golden retriever greeted me. I walked into the reception area to see the baby grand piano and white couches. Steps down (just a few) to the left led to a beautifully furnished living room. Steps down to the right led to the maroon colored walls dining room with white linen table cloths. Suzanne was in the kitchen. She stepped out to greet me and took me to my room, The Rapidan - which was off the main house to the right, towards the barn.
The grass was just being cut and I love the smell of fresh cut grass in the spring! My room was peaceful. sage colored walls, pretty floraled comforter, fireplace, beautiful wooden floors and furniture. (4 poster bed, antique wardrobe). Wonderful decorative pillows, a little table with. Kuerig coffee maker. Plantation shutters, silky curtains. Just great. The sink was not in the bathroom, but right by the front door leading to outside; however no complaints from me! The door was wooden and looked as old as the structure, but had a glass storm door too. Outside my room was a red chair and more firewood. After getting settled, I went steps to the main house and checked out the grounds. I brought my laptop because I had no Internet access while in my Mom's condo. I guess I missed closing ceremonies in the lounge? LOL! No Internet access in my room, but there was unprotected Internet access at the main house.
I sat out in the adorandeck (sp?) chairs for about an hour to catch up on emails, Facebook and fodor's. I looked out over the split rail fence to see acres of beautifule pasture. There was a water fountain at the back of the inn and porches on the backs on each room in the main house. Heaven! Spring flowers abound with all the freshly cut green grass. Soon my masseuse arrived.
A young dude with tattooes set up his table in my room. He was very nice, professional and skillful. An hour of working out my knots and tension helped. I took a bath when he left and I got dressed for dinner.
Dinner was in the main house dining room. There was a yellow rose with red trim each table. My name was on a little table card. Food was superb! I had a first course of baby spinach salad with roasted pear, red onion, walnuts and Everona Dairy's Bacchus with Fig Vinaigrette. Second course was Cauliflower soup with Truffle Oil, Third course was Petite NY Strip, Tempura Vidalia Onions, Horseradish mashed Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus. Dessert was La Bête Noir (The Black Beast) Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake with a bit of Whipped Cream and Raspberries. I also had the wine pairing for an additional $25. Wow - I had been hungry so I got through it all. I normally don't eat that much at one sitting.....Note, there were several options to choose from for each course.
I went back to my room and got my jammies on and curled up with a book. There are no TVs in the rooms. In the morning I packed up, put my stuff in my car (steps away), and headed towards the barn before breakfast. The horses were out In the pasture and I just stood there looking at them. Three Chestnut beauties! They came right up to me at the split rail fence and I got to pet their manes. What A treat!
I headed back to "Tara" for a breakfast of vegetable friccassee with fruit and a little salad. They also served chocolate chip muffins, coffe and orange juice. I was out of there by 10:15 because I had to get on the road...
Twenty minutes later I got my first speediing ticket in 30 years. Oh well, those country roads... I was so relaxed I didn't even get nervous when the cop came to my car door. Later, I got lost in Lynchburg.....ended up in Martinsville....What can I say?? I never come home this way and have no GPS... Eight hours later, I made it home.
Sorry for long trip report, but wanted to get everything in. Definately check out the Inn at Meander Plantation. Well worth the stop and not that expensive considering this is a little slice of heaven!
/bankbabe
Thank you for the recommendation, Starr's. This was perfect for my needs. I arrived Thursday at 3:00 after four days of having packed boxes, hauled things to Salvation Army and dealt with a demented angry emotional mother in assisted living, who did not want to be there.... By noon on Thursady, I was out of the DC area.
A nice drive down 66 and 29 took me to the Culpepper/Orange exit at 2:00pm. I spent an hour lolly-gagging around the shops at Culpepper. I bought my self a scarf with spring colors and a pair of beaded earrings.
By 3:00, I made it to the gates of Meander Plantation, which BTW was a starting point for one of the civil war battles. I felt like I was driving up to Tara in Gone With the Wind. Casual, Colonial, Elegance at its best. I was the first guest who had arrived that day. Callie the four year old golden retriever greeted me. I walked into the reception area to see the baby grand piano and white couches. Steps down (just a few) to the left led to a beautifully furnished living room. Steps down to the right led to the maroon colored walls dining room with white linen table cloths. Suzanne was in the kitchen. She stepped out to greet me and took me to my room, The Rapidan - which was off the main house to the right, towards the barn.
The grass was just being cut and I love the smell of fresh cut grass in the spring! My room was peaceful. sage colored walls, pretty floraled comforter, fireplace, beautiful wooden floors and furniture. (4 poster bed, antique wardrobe). Wonderful decorative pillows, a little table with. Kuerig coffee maker. Plantation shutters, silky curtains. Just great. The sink was not in the bathroom, but right by the front door leading to outside; however no complaints from me! The door was wooden and looked as old as the structure, but had a glass storm door too. Outside my room was a red chair and more firewood. After getting settled, I went steps to the main house and checked out the grounds. I brought my laptop because I had no Internet access while in my Mom's condo. I guess I missed closing ceremonies in the lounge? LOL! No Internet access in my room, but there was unprotected Internet access at the main house.
I sat out in the adorandeck (sp?) chairs for about an hour to catch up on emails, Facebook and fodor's. I looked out over the split rail fence to see acres of beautifule pasture. There was a water fountain at the back of the inn and porches on the backs on each room in the main house. Heaven! Spring flowers abound with all the freshly cut green grass. Soon my masseuse arrived.
A young dude with tattooes set up his table in my room. He was very nice, professional and skillful. An hour of working out my knots and tension helped. I took a bath when he left and I got dressed for dinner.
Dinner was in the main house dining room. There was a yellow rose with red trim each table. My name was on a little table card. Food was superb! I had a first course of baby spinach salad with roasted pear, red onion, walnuts and Everona Dairy's Bacchus with Fig Vinaigrette. Second course was Cauliflower soup with Truffle Oil, Third course was Petite NY Strip, Tempura Vidalia Onions, Horseradish mashed Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus. Dessert was La Bête Noir (The Black Beast) Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake with a bit of Whipped Cream and Raspberries. I also had the wine pairing for an additional $25. Wow - I had been hungry so I got through it all. I normally don't eat that much at one sitting.....Note, there were several options to choose from for each course.
I went back to my room and got my jammies on and curled up with a book. There are no TVs in the rooms. In the morning I packed up, put my stuff in my car (steps away), and headed towards the barn before breakfast. The horses were out In the pasture and I just stood there looking at them. Three Chestnut beauties! They came right up to me at the split rail fence and I got to pet their manes. What A treat!
I headed back to "Tara" for a breakfast of vegetable friccassee with fruit and a little salad. They also served chocolate chip muffins, coffe and orange juice. I was out of there by 10:15 because I had to get on the road...
Twenty minutes later I got my first speediing ticket in 30 years. Oh well, those country roads... I was so relaxed I didn't even get nervous when the cop came to my car door. Later, I got lost in Lynchburg.....ended up in Martinsville....What can I say?? I never come home this way and have no GPS... Eight hours later, I made it home.
Sorry for long trip report, but wanted to get everything in. Definately check out the Inn at Meander Plantation. Well worth the stop and not that expensive considering this is a little slice of heaven!
/bankbabe
Apr 27th, 2013, 10:27 AM
#3
I am so glad!
As I said, I had spent the day wandering Virginia's back roads (via Appomattox) and had researched inns and B&Bs for my night after I left Fearrington Village, NC. I didn't find anything that really spoke to me (so stayed in a hotel) but at the end of that afternoon as I drove by Meander Plantation I just wanted to turn in the drive and stop for a while. I am SO glad it was as nice inside as it appeared to be from the outside.
Now I need to get myself back up there! Your descriptions sound lovely and the in-room massage sounds divine. Thanks for reporting back
As I said, I had spent the day wandering Virginia's back roads (via Appomattox) and had researched inns and B&Bs for my night after I left Fearrington Village, NC. I didn't find anything that really spoke to me (so stayed in a hotel) but at the end of that afternoon as I drove by Meander Plantation I just wanted to turn in the drive and stop for a while. I am SO glad it was as nice inside as it appeared to be from the outside.
Now I need to get myself back up there! Your descriptions sound lovely and the in-room massage sounds divine. Thanks for reporting back
