Whitestone Country Inn, Kingston

My wife and I were looking for a place to unplug for a few days and do a whole lot of nothing. We chose Whitestone because it's on a beautiful piece of land, and there are a lot of outdoor amenities like hammocks and swings where we could spend an afternoon relaxing under a tree, playing a spirited game of shuffleboard, or taking out a canoe and exploring the lake. We could also show up and not leave for a few days because a restaurant is on site. We had a great time and will likely return, but this is what I would tell my friends if they were planning a trip: 1. Do not trust directions from Google Maps or your GPS. Both led us on some crazy backroads that got us lost. We finally went back to the interstate and called Whitestone. The directions should have been: Take Exit 72 from I-75 and head west for 11 miles. Turn right on Paint Rock Road, and Whitestone is four miles back on the right. 2. There is a 10% service charge added to the room and any meals to cover use of grounds/equipment as well as table service. We stayed in the Osprey Suite at $275/night but after taxes and the 10% service charge, it was $342.38. The 10% was also added to our meals, so the $27.50 added to our room price didn't really cover table service as it stated. We don't mind the extra fee, we just didn't know about it until we got an e-mail after we booked and think they should be more upfront about it. Our total bill for three nights and three dinners was $1214.07. 3. Our room was very clean and in very good condition. It was among the nicest rooms we've ever stayed in, and the view was incredible. The outside amenities however could have used a good pressure washing. In fairness to the staff at Whitestone, our trip was late in the season and there had been many days of rain before we arrived, but the hammocks, swings, outdoor chairs, and railings were all very grimy. It looked like a season of grime, not a couple of weeks. We cleaned a couple of rockers on the porch and spent our outdoor lounge time there, when I would have preferred to have been in a hammock or a nice lounge chair. I don't think the guests should be the ones cleaning the outdoor areas, and I wish Whitestone would pay as much attention to those areas as they do the indoor areas. The outdoor areas are why we went there. This is why I'm giving it a three in cleanliness instead of 5. We'll take some old towels if we return in case the hammocks and swings are dirty. 4. Breakfast was great every day. 5. Dinner was hit-or-miss. The first night, my wife's salmon was overcooked almost to the point of being salmon jerky. I ordered a steak but there was a mix-up and I ended up with vegetarian lasagna. That was OK with me, I used to wait tables and mistakes happen. About the time I finished the meal, they brought me a steak and took away the lasagna. I took a couple of bites of the steak to see if I would order something similar the next night. On checkout, I got billed for the steak. Back in my restaurant days, the meal would have been comp'd and Whitestone probably should have done the same. The next night the meal was spectacular. Melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin, and the best crab cakes my wife ever had. Great meal. Third night, the meal was OK but nothing to write home about. So if your experience is like ours, dinner will be hit-or-miss. 6. The staff was great and there were a number of interesting guests since the owners make it a point to be accessible to missionaries on a break. We met interesting people who live all over the world and do some very interesting things, so you'll likely enjoy the people who work at and are visiting Whitestone. So our advice is to go enjoy Whitestone. Just don't get lost getting there, and take some old towels or blankets to put over the hammocks and swings if that's the type of lounging you are looking forward to.

This was the most romantic weekend getaway! Arrived and was upgraded to a bigger room. Food was outstanding! Massage was great! Time together to get some R&R and get away from the world. The shower was amazing with a waterfall and jets. We will go back in the near future for another romantic getaway!!!

Very picturesque with incredible views. Roooms very clean and grounds well maintained. Staff very friendly,helpful and curteous. The food was also held to a very high standard and tasted darn good too! The Macaluso's

The setting is beautiful, peaceful and serene. The rooms wonderful and I found them to becleaner than ANY hotel I have stayed in. (I've visited several countries.) I didn't have much contact with the staff, but they seemed a bit aloof unless you approached them. I would love for my husband and I to share this experience with our 4 children and spouses, but due to the pricing...still, maybe one day.... I am renewed. Thank you.

Our visit was peaceful and romantic. I love it there!

The only thing we didn't appreciate were cigarette butts outside our suite, as we are non-smokers and we got a little turned around on a couple of the longer walking trails. The staff were so courteous and helpful and available at anytime. We appreciated the breakfast host who took time to visit with each person attending the meal. The meals were excellent, the scenery superb, the wildlife facinating and the trails well-kept. We appreciated the library, the in suite jacuzzis and full facilities, including cable, dvd and vhs player, and gas fireplace. It was so refreshing. We all wished we'd had more time to spend and plan to return.

We loved everything about the place. It truly is unique. Such a pleasant change to stay in a place owned and run by Christians! How refreshing!! Don't change a thing. Except to perhaps get the food from the kitchen a little faster. Ours was slightly cool at dinner. (but was still delicious!)