Followup to above post. Here are a few reasons that indicate that Blackberry Farm might be considered the "best"

Relais & Chateaux
Member since 1994

2005 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List
#1 in Service in the U.S. (Perfect 100 Service Score)

2005 Travel & Leisure 500 Best Hotels & Resorts Around the World
#1 Country Hotel (East)

2005 Zagat Travel Guide
#2 Small Hotel in the U.S.
#4 Hotel for Service in the U.S.
#5 Hotel for dining in the U.S.

2004 Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report
#1 U.S. Resort Hideaway
#5 U.S. Resort Hotel

2004 Travel & Leisure World's Best Awards
#4 Hotel in the U.S. & Canada
#27 Hotel in the World

2004 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards
#5 Hotel in the U.S.

2004 & 2005 Southern Living Readers' Choice Awards
"America's #1 Country Inn"

2003 & 2004 Zagat Travel Guide
#1 Small Hotel in the U.S.
#1 Hotel for Service in the U.S.
#2 Hotel for Dining in U.S.

2004 Departures Magazine Readers' Favorites Survey
#7 Country Hotel in U.S. & Canada

2003 & 2004 Orvis -Endorsed "Fly Fishing Lodge of the Year"

2003 Wine Spectator "Best Award of Excellence"

Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards
2003, #12 North America Hotel
2002, #1 in Service in the U.S., #3 in Service in the World, #4 Small Hotel in the U.S., #3 in Guest Rooms in the U.S.

Travel & Leisure 2000 Reader's Choice Award
"One of the Best Hotels in North America"

Gourmet Magazine, May 2000
"One of the Top-5 Country Inns in North America"