MIDDLEBURG, VA, May 15, 2008. The Goodstone Inn & Estate announces the appointment of Simon Smith as general manager for the luxurious, intimate property located just outside historic Middleburg, Virginia. A seasoned hotelier, Mr. Smith comes to his new position with over a decade of executive experience in leadership positions for prestigious properties in England and the United States. Mark Betts, owner of The Goodstone Inn, made the announcement.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Simon to The Goodstone Inn & Estate and Hilltoppers Restaurant,” said Mr. Betts. “He is superbly prepared in all areas to position us as the preferred luxury lodging and dining choice in the greater Northern Virginia and Washington, DC region and beyond, and will be a wonderful addition to the Middleburg community.”

In his new role as general manager of The Goodstone Inn & Estate, Simon Smith will oversee all aspects of the historic property, including operations for the Inn and the 265-acre estate. Additionally, he will oversee the sales and marketing initiatives, guest services programming, and food and beverage functions, including the new Hilltoppers restaurant at the Inn.

Mr. Smith joins The Goodstone Inn having served previously as director of lodging and the restaurant manager for the signature Blackberry Farm, the internationally renowned Relais & Chateaux property located in Walland, Tennessee. During his eight-year tenure the property, Blackberry Farm achieved the Relais’ Gourmand status and Conde Nast’s designation as “#1 in Service in the World.”

Previous to this, Mr. Smith served as restaurant manager for the Four Diamond Boars Head Inn of Charlottesville, Virginia. While at the Inn, he was responsible for overseeing the property’s restaurant, bar and lounge operations. He held the same role at Meadowood Resort, a Relais & Chateaux property in Napa Valley, California, where he assiduously built a superb wine program.

Simon Smith gained his vast viticulture knowledge working within the wine industry in France for the cellars of Louis Jadot Winery, located in the Burgundy region. While there he assisted in all areas of production and winemaking, and traveled with Louis Jadot’s winemaker throughout France.

Earlier in his career, Smith worked with Gravetye Manor, the stately country home located in West Sussex, England, expanding his culinary knowledge and serving as house manager and director of the wine program. He has also been employed by the gracious Hambelton Hall Hotel in Rutland, England, an elegant Relais & Chateaux property where he worked along side Aaron Patterson, Chef de Cuisine, who became one of Smith’s mentors.

Simon Smith was destined early on in his life to become a hotelier. He spent his formative years traveling the world with his family and visiting luxury hotels. Mr. Smith graduated from West Kent College, located in Tonbridge, England, with a degree in Hotel and Catering International Management. He and his family are relocating to Middleburg.

The Goodstone Inn & Estate, a luxurious country retreat in Middleburg, Virginia, is situated in the heart of the state's renowned Hunt & Wine Country, less than an hour from Washington, DC and 40 minutes from Dulles International Airport www.metwashairports.com/Dulles. The historic property features five star-quality lodging in five distinctive dwellings, including the main building - the elegantly converted Carriage House, The Dutch Cottage, The Manor House, The French Farm Cottage and The Spring House.

Hilltoppers restaurant at The Goodstone Inn & Estate provides superb cuisine and attentive service. An impressive wine cellar dining room features an extensive selection of vintages from Virginia and around the world, and a large, exquisite Virginia Hunt Scene Mural commissioned by The Goodstone Inn. The scene captures an equestrian moment of the storied Annual Middleburg Hunt, which takes place on the estate.