Foster Harris House is located in Washington, Virginia, and is about 70 miles west of Washington, D.C. Due to its close proximity to the city, people often refer to Washington as Little Washington. The bed and breakfast offers five units, all of which are available year-round, and the busiest times of the year tend to be during the spring and fall due to the weather. Each unit is uniquely decorated, though they all have a private bathroom. Breakfast is provided free of charge to those who are staying at the establishment, and people are given the option to order breakfast a la carte if they are not staying at the property. Klaus and his wife, the owners of Foster Harris House, would like their patrons to have a “stress-free” experience when they stay at the bed and breakfast. It should be noted that young children and pets are prohibited from visiting the business.
Foster Harris House is a bed and breakfast with five rooms available for reservation, including the Mountain View, Macpherson Room, Garden Room, Compton Room, and Jenkins Room. One unit, the Garden Room, is located on the first floor of the home, while the other four are found on the second floor. Each has a distinct layout and amenities, but they all come with a private bathroom, ceiling fan, and breakfast provided each morning. One of the owners, Klaus, mentions that the most popular room tends to be The Mountain View Room because it offers a larger bedroom size and has a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He also notes that it has a sitting area for patrons, which is unique to this guest room. Klaus’ wife is in charge of the garden and grows a variety of herbs.
Foster Harris House serves a four-course meal for breakfast. Klaus says that one of the first things he asks guests is if they have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, which he will take into account when he decides what to make. People who are not staying at the inn can still purchase food a la carte if they would like. One dish that he enjoys cooking, which also tends to be a big hit with his occupants, is ginger scones. Due to the fact that some people stay for multiple nights, Klaus tries to make something different each day so that people don’t eat the same thing the following morning.
The business is located in Washington, Virginia, which is about 70 miles west of Washington, D.C. According to Klaus, some of the most significant draws to the area are the restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the vicinity. Foster Harris House’s website mentions one noteworthy restaurant, Blue Rock, that offers a four-course menu and food made by chef Bin Lu, a “former head chef at two Michelin-starred tasting rooms in Washington D.C.” The website also lists other restaurants and wineries, such as Three Blacksmiths, Rappahannock Pizza Kitchen, Quievremont Wine, Little Washington Winery & Vineyards, and Copper Fox Distillery. While there are other activities that can be done in the area, Klaus explains that many people come to the town for restaurants. A couple of other attractions that are found nearby include a few hiking trails and shopping in the heart of Little Washington.
Klaus, the current owner of Foster Harris House, explains that his goal is to create a stress-free environment for visitors. He wants guests to “enjoy themselves” and have a good experience at the inn. There are a couple of policies that patrons are expected to abide by during their visit. Pets and young children are prohibited from staying at the Foster Harris House. Everyone must also refrain from smoking inside the house and on the grounds.
The property has received many reviews over the years, with a few commonly mentioned aspects of their experiences being the breakfast and the quality of the guest rooms. One patron who recently stayed at the establishment wrote, “Klaus knows the hospitality business and devotes his lifetime of experience to this idyllic location. We stayed in the Mountain View room and found it very relaxing. We couldn't ask for a more comfortable environment.” The company is open year-round, with the busiest months being May and October. According to the owner, this is the case because May is when spring begins, and October is when the colors change in the fall.
Washington—occasionally referred to as Little Washington—is a smaller town with an estimated population of roughly 150 residents. However, there are a variety of restaurants and wineries in the area that people can visit nearby. These are considered some of the main attractions of the town. One restaurant can be found at The Inn at Little Washington, which is renowned for the chef Patrick O’Connell, who earned his business a Green Star from Michelin. Much of this restaurant’s ingredients are locally sourced, and the chef is capable of creating dishes that abide by dietary restrictions and allergies, such as gluten, dairy, pork, shellfish, and nuts.
The building was constructed in 1905, but it wasn’t until 1988 that it was turned into a bed and breakfast. According to Klaus, the current owner, he was the fifth owner, “and the previous owner was there for 13 years.” He explains that each owner that came before him and his wife has made additions and changes to the home and business that “has added to the quality of the product.” One addition he made to the building since he took ownership is an extra kitchen allowing his wife to cook food while he makes meals in the residential kitchen. Regarding the home, the owners remark that it was “very well constructed.” Since the purchase, he has yet to require any large-scale maintenance or renovations because the previous owners kept it in good condition when they sold it.
Klaus explains that he has been in the hotel industry since 1959 and spent much of his time working in places such as Germany, Switzerland, and France. He worked in the industry for about 40 years before retiring in 2009. Klaus notes that he “got tired of being retired” and decided to get back into work. It was around this time that Klaus and his wife found Foster Harris House and decided to purchase it. One thing Klaus mentions that he enjoys while working in the hospitality industry is interacting with guests.
189 Main Street
Washington, Virginia 22747
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Klaus
