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ner are the innkeepers.
The Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia is a trade association whose members must pass annual inspections to remain members. Phil Irwin is vice president. He recently spent time visiting and inspecting all 15 members in Williamsburg.
The Virginia Inns Handbook, also in a recently released 1994 edition lists all 10 of the same businesses in Rappahannock County plus the Gay Street Inn in Washington, The Inn at Little Washington, the Blue Rock Inn, and the Flint Hill Public House and Inn.
It is published by Handbooks, Inc. of Leesburg and apparently supported by ads businesses place with the handbook to be listed.
A full-page write up on Thistle Hill with photos appears among other selected establishments in the beginning of the guide. Interestingly this establishment is listed in the main part of the guide as being in the Culpeper/Madison area, while all the other Rappahannock County establishments are listed as being in the Warrenton/Washington area.
Copies of these guides are available from Virginia’s toll-free B&B information line at 800-BNB-1293.
In recent months three more bed and breakfast businesses have won approval from the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.
Mr. Irwin has appeared at most of the Planning Commission hearings. Some of the applications have won his approval. Some he has spoken against. Sometimes he has stated he is taking no position.
However he has consistently tried to warn prospective hosts of new bed and breakfast businesses that the situation in the county is extremely competitive and that most of the existing establishments are full only during the month of October.
Most recently Mr. Irwin said that there may be some advantage to the county in having such a variety of bed and breakfast establishments. With this “critical mass” marketing the county as a destination may be easier, he said. However, he has consistently said it is important that guests not have a bad experience at a bed and breakfast because that may cause them never to try again.
Mr. Irwin has also expressed a consistent concern that some potential bed and breakfast owners are taking on debt to purchase homes in the hope that their income from renting rooms will carry the debt.
95.6%