Chamber Insider Blog

Congratulations to Hidden View Bed & Breakfast on being a finalist for Destination Business of the Year! This post is from the perspective of Cheri Shields, CTA.

View all of the SBA 2023 Finalists Here

Tell us the story of your business and how it’s evolved. 

In 2014, our retirement dream was to find an endeavor that combined Ray’s love for gardening and cooking with Cheri’s passion for design and marketing. A winery was the original target. However, after spending time with local winery owners, they thought an innkeeper’s lifestyle might suit our personalities and skills. After a year or so as interim innkeepers, our “internship” as we like to call it, we were sold. Two years later, we found ourselves converting a private estate located on a 10-acre property with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains — into “Hidden View Bed & Breakfast,” a five-star luxury B&B, boutique resort, and vacation rental.

Hidden View is perfect for celebrating life, love, marriage, and family. Whether you’re seeking total relaxation, celebrating with family and friends, planning an intimate wedding, or looking for a unique space for meetings and corporate retreats — our attention to detail, drive for perfection, and gourmet breakfast service make it the exceptional experience guests greatly enjoy.  

Since opening in 2017, we’ve thrived, earning accolades including “Traveler’s Choice Award,” “Best of Virginia,” and several “Best of Loudoun” awards. We are also the county’s only Select Registry “Distinguished Inn.” Our journey from IT professionals to innkeepers is a labor of love that we’re thrilled to share with our guests.

What are you most proud of when it comes to your team?  

At Hidden View, guest satisfaction drives our success. Our passion for hospitality, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence define us. 

In what ways do you give back to the Loudoun community? 

Hidden View’s commitment to Loudoun County is evident through active involvement with Visit Loudoun and in the Loudoun County Bed & Breakfast Guild, creating initiatives to promote local hospitality and agro-tourism businesses and giving back through donations and volunteering.

What would it mean to you and your business to win a Small Business Award?  

Recognition from an organization comprised of other successful small business owners reinforces that our business model founded on delighting our guests is the key to our success. Winning would honor our dedication to hospitality and community engagement, boosting morale and providing valuable exposure and credibility.

Who is the one person that has influenced you the most in your career?  

The owners of Little Washington Winery, Vineyard, Brewery, and Chocolate Shop, Carl and Donna Henrickson, have influenced us the most. They planted the seed that shaped our passion for inn-keeping and commitment to exceptional guest experiences.

What did you want to be when you grew up as a child?  

Neither of us can recall a specific career path as a child, but we both remember the love of creative expression, the desire to serve others, and the goal to make things better than we found them.

If you’re not in the office, where can we find you/what is another passion you have?  

We love to explore Loudoun County’s landscapes, unwinding amidst its natural beauty, drawing inspiration, and embracing its charm. We also love to experience and support Loudoun’s independently owned small businesses, from craft libations to farm-to-table dining, adventures, and activities.  

How do you see your business evolving in the next five years? 

We aim to expand service offerings, implement additional improvements, improve universal accessibility, streamline our technology, continue community involvement, and continuously refine marketing.

Check out Hidden View Bed & Breakfast today!