Goodstone's pool is a slice of aquatic heaven.

"Welcome to your second home." My fiancé and I hear these words as soon as we arrive at The Goodstone Inn & Estate in Middleburg, Va. We've come to this recently renovated historic property for a much-needed break. Situated on 265 acres in the heart of Virginia's hunt and wine country, this place is ideal for a quick getaway.

I emphasize the word "quick." Goodstone is a mere 45 miles from Washington and a 25-minute drive from Washington Dulles International Airport. It's amazingly close for a place that makes you feel, well, away. Part of what transports me is the estate's soothing hills, which lazily roll for as far as you can see, the Blue Ridge Mountains off in the distance. The other appealing factor is Goodstone's attention to detail and its Southern hospitality.

It's about 4:30 p.m. and our stomachs are grumbling. Still, we don't want to spoil our dinner. We're thrilled by the perfect solution: complimentary tea, which is beautifully laid out before us. Everything we see—cookies, teacakes and scones—is included in our room rate.

The estate is composed of 13 guestrooms in four separate homes, each of which is meticulously renovated and thoughtfully decorated (some baths have clawfoot tubs, others have Jacuzzi tubs with showers). We're shown to the cute, two-bedroom Dutch Cottage. We settle in for the evening as if the place were our own, excited by the extras we find: a stereo system and choice of CDs; gorgeous fresh flowers (even in the bathroom, where a rose in a bud vase seems extra special); a fully stocked bar with a jar of mixed nuts (remember, inclusive!); and a great selection of new magazines that happen to meet our interests (I go for Food & Wine and Bon Appétit, he picks Forbes and Newsweek). The full kitchen is stocked with a plate of cookies as well as cold beer (three varieties), wine, milk, juice, coffee and tea, along with a coffee maker and teakettle—yes, this really is like home.

Except we're not going to cook or clean up. Instead, Goodstone's chef prepares us a four-course gourmet meal—served by candlelight. While Goodstone doesn't have a restaurant that serves dinner, it offers private dining to those who have rented a cottage (this is not inclusive; prices start at $75 per person). Our meal is delicious and fun, but being in a small kitchen with just my fiancé, the chef and her assistant (steps away from us throughout the meal) isn't quite as romantic as I'd expected. What would have made it fabulous? If we'd come with another couple. Goodstone's private dining experience, which can be set up outside in nice weather for a group of six or more, seems simply perfect for a few couples looking to escape city life for a night or two.

The inn's wine selection is graced by many local vintners.

Goodstone also offers outstanding outdoor activities. You can relax by the outdoor pool or in the eight-person outdoor hot tub, surrounded by tiki torches and views of the mountains. Or consider a private massage, which can be arranged for a fee. You can play golf at the exclusive Stoneleigh Golf Club (two rounds per couple are included in your stay), canoe along Goose Creek or mountain bike through the countryside (a gourmet picnic hamper lunch can be packed for you). If you're interested in leaving Goodstone for a couple of hours, the inn's staff can arrange wine-tasting tours at local vineyards or trail rides in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you'd like to dine at a Middleburg restaurant, Goodstone has a book of menus to help you choose.

"We play host to our guests, and we like knowing their likes and dislikes," explains general manager Keith Halford. "I like doing fun things for guests—theme weekends or special activities."

Yes, it's that personal attention—the kind you might expect from a close friend or relative you've traveled to see—that makes staying at Goodstone feel like a visit to a friend's country estate rather than to a typical inn.

The Goodstone Inn is located at 36205 Snake Hill Road in Middleburg, Va. Nightly full-season room rates (now through November) range from $275 to $495 and include breakfast, afternoon tea and Sunday brunch. Call 540-687-4645 for more information, or go to www.goodstone.com.