Our Trip to Fearrington Village

Travel has been an integral part of my life for many years. Professionally, with the exception of the better part of the last year, I have traveled anywhere from 2 to 12 days in a corporate environment. It is a major pillar of Whitesell Wellness, and what I look to help other busy road warriors navigate when business travel comes back. I’ll save that post for a later day…Travel, personally, is also important to me and in my opinion, goes hand-in-hand with wellness. Experiences, relaxation, spontaneity, and creating memories adds an incredible value to our lives.

With that being said, I’m so excited to share travels with you – some may be from years past, lists I have compiled for friends and family that you may enjoy to help you plan your adventures.

The first trip to share is our most recent 2-night stay at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, North Carolina for my birthday.

Fearrington Village is part of the Relais & Châteaux property portfolio and is nestled about 15 minutes outside of Chapel Hill and a 2 ½ hour drive from us in Charlotte. It is a charming little village (yes! you can live here, too) that boasts a bookshop, café, three boutiques, a spa, a beer garden with pizza offerings, and of course, the award-winning inn as well as The Fearrington House Restaurant.

The Fearrington House Restaurant, surrounded by beautiful boxwood gardens

Room

We arrived on a Thursday to a sweet room right located right by the fountain in the courtyard. The rooms are outfitted with real locks, so you’re provided with a beautiful metal key. Our room boasted a small sitting area, a big king-size bed, and a beautiful bathroom. I’m not a bathtub-on-vacation person, but if you are, do note that the bathroom was shower-only.

We slept well both nights with great black-out curtains and their quiet, small property had no street noise.

The Fearrington House Restaurant

Thursday Dinner
This was my birthday dinner and I would run back next week if I could. The experience was impeccable from start to finish. We sat indoors and all tables were spaced accordingly and the dining rooms weren’t overly full (the Restaurant is open to the general public, but we saw another couple dining who was staying at the Inn as well).

A really sweet touch.

We opted for the Chef’s Tasting and wine pairing. I went to check out the website and while the menu changes often with the seasons, it seems as though from when we visited in March of 2021 to this post in April of 2021 it still provides a great glimpse into their cuisine.

The Chef’s Tasting in March was 8 courses, and believe it or not, I couldn’t finish the second dessert course, and then had to take the final dessert course of chocolates back to our room! Highlights for me included the prosciutto stuffed quail with turnip and date, the seared beef striploin with foie gras, and the apple mousse (which was the first dessert and yes, I almost finished!).

Apple mousse. This was absolutely divine.

Finally, I think, most of all, what made this tasting extra special was that although I am gluten free and my husband is not, our plates throughout the entire night looked almost identical. Too often, when we’ve done tastings in the past, it’s almost as though anyone with dietary restrictions is an afterthought and Justin and I end up with different plates. But not at Fearrington. I mentioned something to our server to thank the Chef, because it made this experience that more special.

Beef striploin and foie gras.

Friday & Saturday Breakfast
I’m a creature of habit and definitely ordered the same thing on Friday and Saturday. With mimosas, both times. Breakfast is included in the cost of your stay. I think that’s important to note, and always a point when traveling when you’re like now I have to fend for myself for breakfast and you end up searching and searching or asking for recommendations only to spend a ton of time when you could be relaxing. The restaurant features local items, they have gluten free bread (!), and do offer their own coffee blends and jams and jellies.

There’s an amuse bouche with breakfast which was a nice touch – Friday was a little berry smoothie and honestly I can’t remember Saturday’s delivery (all I remember is wishing it was the berry smoothie) but breakfast was perfect both days and we were able to sit outside on Saturday with Fitz. The service staff was amazing and they loved Fitz, too!

The Property, Location, & Other Amenities

They are dog friendly with a fee, so Fitz was with us, too, for the whole weekend. We may have Rover’d a sitter for part of dinner so he wasn’t alone (I realize how #extra this is…and also have her info so if you need it, send me a note!).

When we arrived on Thursday, a delicious bottle of bubbly was waiting from a friend (thanks, AJ!), and Justin, Fitz and I popped in while sitting in their beautiful boxwood gardens…yes this location is an Instagram photo shoot waiting to happen (okay if we’re being honest, mine was unsuccessful).

They have a small farm area with belted goats and cows, and some chickens. I originally thought it was much larger based on the website but it was a sweet feature of the property. Fitz loved being with us – of course – and we went to visit the animals both Friday and Saturday. His reaction towards them was hysterical. He was in awe and ended up in a staring contest with one of the goats. And somehow…didn’t even let out a peep!

Quick - you me - staring contest.

As I mentioned, Fearrington is about 15 minutes from Chapel Hill, so on Friday we went into the city with Fitz and grabbed a casual Mexican lunch, quickly followed by a margarita nap. It was wonderful. While we did not spa, I would imagine the services and products are a true indulgence.

That afternoon, we grabbed a drink and played Scrabble in the Roost Beer Garden with Fitz.

Friday evening, we opted low-key and ordered pizza from a local shop that had a gluten-free option. We had wanted to go to a restaurant, but it was closed so we stayed in and enjoyed pizza back in the garden and then took a bottle of wine into their lounge room which boasted a beautiful seating area and fireplace.

We went on a run on Saturday through the property which also boasts a living community. It was pretty flat but a few gravel trails at times made for a nice sweat to explore. Before we left, we grabbed to go coffee & tea from the Belted Goat which was open for breakfast pastries and lunch.

It’s Saturday. #xothewhitesells

The entire Fearrington Property from start to finish was beautiful, quaint, and just perfect for our little 2-night getaway. I hope you add it to your short list!

xx

AW

I ALSO MUST MENTION: JUSTIN & I DIDN’T DO MUCH IN THE YEAR THAT WAS THE LAST. NO HOLIDAYS, NO FAMILY, NADA. WE WERE THRILLED TO HAVE A VACCINE AVAILABLE TO US PRIOR TO THIS TRIP IN MARCH. BUT WITH NUMEROUS PRE-CAUTIONS, FEARRINGTON DID AN AMAZING JOB WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS.