Where to Stay in Little Washington: Bed and Breakfast at Elmwood 1820
Discover adventure, explore, and seek respite in the most unique and curious places in Washington, NC.
Elmwood 1820 is precisely what you picture when someone says they are off to stay at a Bed and Breakfast for a weekend. The house is on the west end of Downtown Washington, along the Pamlico River. Surrounded by many beautiful homes that make up the Historic Washington walking tour, Elmwood 1820 is close enough to walk to the many offers the town has in store but far enough away to maintain a peaceful and upscale allure. I arrived in the early evening as the sun began to set, so the sky acted as a golden backdrop illuminating the blue and white plantation home. A light breeze blew the swinging sign under the amber lantern as the double fountains filled the quiet street with a spa-like ambiance.
Inside we found very Pinterest-worthy décor. African and Asian art and sculptures punctuated the modern furnishings. This wasn't your grandmother's B&B. Instead of clutter and old-school knickknacks, we found a new and contemporary abode with bright, colorful embellishments. The living room was bright and airy as huge floor-length windows filled the space with natural light. The neutral cream sofa and black chairs balance the room as the colorful art takes center stage. Right through the central area is a bar that is, in fact, a wine bar and a coffee bar. Here you can grab a glass of red and view the more traditional landscape and portrait art styles as you mill about. Finally, through the sliding door, you'll find the dining room. Set for a bridal shower the following day, the dining space was filled with white and taupe linen-covered tables and gold chairs under a stunning chandelier. The walls are decorated with eye-catching Asian nature-printed wallpaper, and along the room’s perimeter, large chests are topped with authentic Chinese vases and sculptures.
Elmwood has five guest rooms representing inspirational characters: The Writer, The Romantic, The Painter, The Explorer, and The Gardener. I stayed in the aptly named Writer, filled with some of the most outstanding books from the literary past. The walls were covered with a deep orange wallpaper with white and blue flowers that felt like a step back into a time when writers rented rooms in local homes to work on their manuscripts quietly. Or when women sat in the dim candlelight writing love letters to those away at war. I felt I could accomplish quite a bit, but I wasn't there to crank out articles. However, the words did spill forth as I tried my hand at 18th-century prose. I would have been a great writer, albeit anonymously, as women and people of color weren't credited for their works in those days. The queen-sized pillared oak bed was a plush dream with white hypoallergenic down pillows and a duvet. The bed was minimally decorated with a few burnt orange throw pillows and a faux fur throw across the end of the bed. Opposite the bed is a sitting area with a comfy dark blue sofa and a floral chair with a matching ottoman. A bookshelf filled with classics and topped with a basket of healthy protein-filled snacks and bottled water in the corner. The room also contains a fireplace for those long winter nights, but for this stay were content to use the fan hidden in the armoire.
As listed in the title, the room came with a daily breakfast. However, instead of setting out a communal buffet of breakfast-type food, we were given the full treatment, complete with a sit-down meal in multiple courses. You haven't had a luxury breakfast until you've seen what Richard can whip up in the kitchen. I visited during the low season, so I had the entire place to myself, eating at a small table for two in the bar. For breakfast on Saturday, I was greeted downstairs with a vanilla and lemon zest yogurt, a small glass of orange juice, and fresh-baked mini biscuits with four types of jam and jelly. This delicious light meal would have sufficed, but it was just a starter. The main attraction was a sophisticated take on a classics Eggs Benedict. In this version, slow-poached eggs are topped with a gently folded crepe, substituting the ham for a thinly sliced prosciutto, and topped with fresh hollandaise.
On Sunday, I was lured downstairs by the intoxicating scent of maple and bacon. After a berry-topped light yogurt, we were bestowed with Amsterdam-inspired Dutch Babies. This dish is a puff pastry around the outside and flat in the center, offering the perfect nest for sliced fresh fruit. It's airy and light and makes a beautiful presentation. Richard added his spin to this old classic by adding a crust layer to back the flavor. It's something like the southern stapled cobblers we've grown to love, with a sophistication that could give any Michelin-starred establishment a run for its money—served with lightly scrambled eggs and a thick, Maple-glazed and brown sugar-baked heavy-duty bacon.
The overall trip was pleasant and relaxing. The B&B was lovely and quiet, with no televisions to distract. I toured the town and nearby historical sites for entertainment, often returning to Elmwood to decompress, talk about what we saw, and take occasional naps before dinner. Additional Information:
The front doors close at 9 pm, but your room key comes with a key to the front doors, so you can come and go as you like.
The downstairs bar is always open, and you can make a drink or have a glass of wine.
The innkeepers keep a pot of coffee brewed all day and can make an espresso upon request.
There were no children during the weekend I stayed. So triple points for that.
Elmwood 1820
//http://elmwood1820.com//
reservations@elmwood1820.com
731 W. Main Street
Washington, NC 27889(252) 623-1466
