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The Gardens
 Hope
and Glory is settled among English gardens featuring
flowers and rarely seen in contemporary Virginia gardens.
Butterfly bushes, heirloom roses, old-fashioned single
hollyhocks and walls of lavender wisteria form merely
part of the Inn’s whimsical stage. The gardens
can be described as sumptuous and intimate. A small,
winding path leads to the most wonderful of outdoor
showers, complete with claw foot tub and sink in a totally
private setting. The garden bath is tucked away among
verdant shrubs to provide secluded privacy. The very
meandering of the serpentine brick walk slows the pace
and sets the first tone of relaxation. The air is filled
with the sweet smell of colorful chameleon plant (Houttuynia)
and lavender (prized by the French perfume industry
for its heavy oil production). There’s even a
moon garden which is in peak bloom and fragrance in
the evening, just in time for late night picnic and
assignations.
You need only to unleash your imagination to create
the aura of romance.
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The
Garden Bath
“Water
cools the body and floating refreshes and calms
the spirit in an almost primordial way.”
One can hardly describe this experience; yet,
travel writer Michael McCarthy gives his version.
“Musing upon the Hope and Glory founder’s
words “we’re on this earth about a
minute and a half, and I want joy. I want to feel
good about our collective lot in life”
McCarthy begins “such thoughts are hard
to resist as my wife and I soak in warm suds in
a claw-foot outdoor bathtub, which is part of
Hope and Glory’s open-air shower –
cloistered by an eight foot fence and a huddle
of old maples.
We stare a sweet crescent moon and listen to Ella
Fitzgerald tunes that drift from the main house.
The hideaway is about the size of a couple of
tool sheds, with retro sinks, antique mirrors
and a 1950’s – era shower that sports
a head the size of a hubcap. Divine accents include
candles, strings of white lights draped across
the fences and the whiff of honeysuckle.
Bathing under the stars is primal, a reminder
to our bodies that they are, in fact, cousins
of the chickweeds that climb from underneath the
tub (okay, distant cousins).
Just when I’m about to quote Whitman, I
notice two yellow rubber ducks standing guard
on a shelf to our left. Unblinking with painted
grins, they’re begging to dive into our
party. Only those without hope and glory could
say no.”
Virginia Living’s Velvet Touch at the Hope
and Glory: "The night before their weddings,
the brides are “required” to enjoy
a candlelit bubble bath under the stars with a
bottle of champagne”
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Dinner at Our Chef's Table
Detention
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