Gay Street Inn is one of the best known Bed and Breakfasts in Rappahannock County, Virginia. The inn has an excellent location, cozy facilities, and a sustainable business model, with plenty of room for growth. The home and property are in excellent condition so you can move right in — the owners imagine that the transition to new owners can go quite smoothly. The Gay Street Inn is being sold as a turn-key business.
The inn is located at the end of Gay Street, a quiet street in Washington where the closest neighbor is the stately and historic Washington Baptist Church. Neighbors become friends and family while enjoying the sense of community in the town. Gay Street (named after George Washington’s sweetheart) is in the heart of one of the most picturesque villages in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A stroll down Gay Street is like walking through history as you pass the courthouse square, historic commercial buildings, old churches and charming village homes. The Gay Street Inn is within easy walking distance of galleries, shops and the five star restaurant, The Inn at Little Washington.
Gay Street Inn is an 1850s farmhouse that has been lovingly restored, redecorated and maintained (a new metal roof was installed in 2015). It is a fine country Bed & Breakfast with five en suite guest rooms, lovely gardens, mountain vistas and a casual sense of comfort.
The front porch of the inn is where guests arrive and they are always transformed by this old-fashioned American original with comfortable chairs and a peaceful western view of Jenkins Mountain and the Shenandoah National Park. It is the ideal spot for relaxing, reading and enjoying the gentle sights and sounds of small town living.
The public spaces of Gay Street Inn are the library and the breakfast room which is filled with sun- the perfect place to enjoy a scone and a piping cup of coffee. The wainscoted library has a quiet sophistication with a tiled surrounded fireplace, built-in bookshelves and warm woodwork. It is designed to be a comfortable and inviting space for games, reading and conversation. The inn offers Comcast internet in all public spaces and bedrooms at speeds that impress big city guests- a rarity in the country.
The breakfast room is a bright, cheerful space with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the rear lawn and gardens. Paneled walls, Arts & Crafts style details and ceramic tile floors contribute to the comfortable country ambiance. This area is adjacent to a health department approved kitchen for preparation of breakfast and occasional special ordered meals for guests. The kitchen is open, airy and features premium grade stainless steel appliances including a Wolf cook top and double oven. There is also a large island with silestone counter top, a heavy gauge stainless steel sink and three dishwashers. The downstairs is completed by a large laundry/linen room and an inn keeper’s office with built in filing cabinets and bookshelves.
The second story innkeeper’s quarters are the perfect retreat for the busy innkeeper. The generous master bedroom has French doors that can be opened to overlook the beautifully landscaped gardens and let in the cool evening air. The master bath features a double shower and can be accessed either from the master bedroom or through the walk-in closet.
Near the master bedroom sits a reading nook for the owners to relax and rejuvenate. This unique room is beautifully lit with a large arched window overlooking Gay Street. The custom-made Weru windows twist and tilt for easy maintenance and usage. One wall boasts a built-in book case perfect for grabbing the latest novel while you are enjoying a quiet moment. The floor is a rich Brazilian Cherry. Next to the nook, sits the living room which is very comfortable and perfect for hanging out with a few friends or watching a movie. This room could double as a second bedroom since it has a full bath and a walk-in closet located next to it.
Gay Street Inn features five uniquely decorated guest rooms, each with its own private bath and individually controlled heating and air conditioning. The first floor features the Shenandoah Suite, complete with a eat-in kitchen, a sitting area as well as a king sized bedroom and en suite bath. The first floor also features the Garden Room. Upstairs, the Inn features the Blue Room, overlooking the back gardens, the Mountain View Room with views of Jenkins Mountain and the Shenandoah National Park and Bradams Ridge Room which has both eastern and western views.
The home sits gently on the land surrounded by mature landscaping, lush lawns and lovely ornamental gardens. Easy on-street parking is available on the cul-de-sac. Despite the in-town location, the property is pleasantly private.
Gay Street Inn has been in operation for over 29 years and business has increased steadily each year as the inn’s reputation has grown. Currently Gay Street Inn is ranked by tripadvisor.com as a 5 star B&B and 4.7 star on BedandBreakfast.com. The inn’s gross revenue is over six figures and there is ample opportunity to improve revenues and profits as the current owners operate the business only an average of four nights a week and, on average, the Gay Street Inn boasts some of the lowest room rates in Rappahannock County.
Gay Street Inn is a viable business and a delightful way to make a living. It is convenient to the towns of Flint Hill and Sperryville (about 5 miles away in either direction), and 20 minutes to either Front Royal, Warrenton or Culpeper and only about 1.5 hours to Washington, DC.
Gay Street Inn is a short walk from the world famous Inn of Little Washington. It’s only a 15 minute drive to the Shenandoah National Park boundary offering an amazing array of waterfalls, canyons, trails and hikes. Rappahannock County has many fine restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries that draw visitors to the area with an array of great activities every weekend.
