Parma in Little Washington nestles into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia's Rappahannock County, located about an hour from Washington, DC. There are just three guest rooms at the inn, all but ensuring a peaceful, secluded stay in the country. Each of the rooms—one of which is a sprawling suite—contains Old-World antiques, velvet brocade, and gilded mirrors, as well as some contemporary pieces. Satins and rich fabrics enrich the rooms with a sense of luxury, balanced by potted flowers and furniture upholstered in simple yet elegant leafy patterns. Innkeeper Anne Merrigan—a Cordon Bleu–educated cook—taps into her experience planning galas for the Embassy of Oman to ensure the inn maintains a soft serenity akin to a mountaintop cabin lined with cotton balls.

That tranquility forms an ideal backdrop for guests to boost their well-being at the resort’s holistic spa. Foremost among the experienced staff is Dr. Thara Kodandaramachandra, a native of Bangalore, India, and a board-certified alternative-medicine practitioner. Dr. Kodandaramachandra has more than 10 years of experience teaching and practicing ayurvedic medicine. Many of the treatments administered at the spa incorporate wild herbs, mineral-rich clays, and other locally sourced ingredients.