About The Smithfield Inn
The Smithfield Inn stands on North Main Street in the historic town of Smithfield, across the James River from Williamsburg. The house was built in 1752 and became an inn and tavern in 1759, and the inn says George Washington stayed here. Its roof was raised to a full second story in 1870, and the Sykes family added the long kitchen and dining wing in 1922; for about 40 years it was known as the Sykes Inn. The tavern room carries the name of William Rand.
Overnight guests choose from five second-floor suites in the inn, named Luter, Todd, Sykes, Washington and Gwaltney, each with a sitting room and private bath; the Luter and Todd suites have gas fireplaces. Next door, the Garden House has three more rooms or can be rented whole. Published 2026 standard rates run $169 to $199 a night for rooms, and a Southern-style breakfast at the sister bakery and cafe a few doors down is included with standard rates.
Meals are served Tuesday through Saturday in three settings: the formal inn dining room, the casual William Rand Tavern with daily specials and a full bar, and a covered garden under a Southern-style portico when the weather allows. The lunch menu starts at 11 and dinner at 5. The inn also hosts private parties and runs a wine club with wine dinners.
Sweethaven Lavender near Williamsburg is about 25 miles north across the James River. Allow about 50 minutes, and plan lunch here before or after a reserved pick-your-own visit.
What to do
- Have lunch or dinner in the inn dining room, the tavern or the covered garden, Tuesday to Saturday
- Stay in a suite with a gas fireplace, such as Luter or Todd
- Rent the whole Garden House for a small group
- Walk Main Street through historic Smithfield
- Join a wine dinner through the inn's wine club
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Lodging open every day year-round; restaurant and tavern Tuesday through Saturday
- Hours
- Restaurant and tavern Tuesday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday; bed and breakfast open daily (their website, 2026)
- Admission
- 2026 standard room rates $169–$199 a night; whole Garden House $489–$569 a night
Good to know
- Reservations
- Recommended
Tips for your visit
- The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday, so plan meals for Tuesday through Saturday
- Promotional room rates do not include the free breakfast, except military rates
- Call (757) 357-1752 between 10 and 4 for dining reservations
- Garden seating depends on the weather
Pair it with a lavender farm
Sweethaven Lavender · about 50 minutes away
Sweethaven Lavender is about 50 minutes north across the James River, a good pairing with lunch at the inn on a Tuesday to Saturday trip.
Getting there
Questions
Did George Washington really stay at The Smithfield Inn?
The inn says Washington was once a guest in the house, which was built in 1752.
Is breakfast included with a room?
Yes, with standard rates, at the sister bakery and cafe a few doors away; promotional rates exclude it except military rates.
When is the restaurant open?
Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
