Coulter Farmstead — Hotel in Washington

The Counter Farmstead offers a picturesque rural setting with some appealing aspects, but our stay was hindered by multiple issues that impacted overall comfort and convenience. While the property has potential—especially with its comfortable beds, well-maintained outdoor furniture, and friendly farm animals—several shortcomings in plumbing, climate control, and privacy made the experience less enjoyable than anticipated.

Plumbing & Bathroom Issues We were informed that the primary bathtub could be filled with hot water if done slowly, but in reality, the water turned lukewarm before the tub was even full. Additionally, you cannot run hot water for both the guest shower and the primary bathtub at the same time, indicating an inadequate hot water supply for the cabin. The primary bedroom offers a bathtub only, no shower.

The guest bathroom’s location off the dining room was also inconvenient. Guests sleeping upstairs had to navigate steep, precarious stairs at night just to access it, which was a safety concern.

Climate Control & Heating Failures One of the biggest disappointments was the broken mini-split HVAC system for the upstairs, which was disclosed at check-in, but we were not compensated until we specifically asked. Considering that proper heating and cooling are essential for comfort, I was surprised that a refund or credit was not immediately offered.

The mini-split in the living room only worked in cool mode—the heat function did nothing. As a result, on colder nights, the living room was uncomfortable, with no adequate heating option.

Lighting & Structural Flaws Lighting in the dining room was extremely poor, making it difficult to play cards—we had to use a camp lantern.

The home’s design also does not accommodate taller guests. At 5’5”, I was the only one in our group who didn’t have to worry about hitting my head.

The lack of doors in the upstairs bedrooms provided minimal privacy. While the Neal Cabin says there are 3 bedrooms, it’s really more like a 1br + loft. Upstairs there are no doors - there is a spot you can crawl into the 2nd room and you access the other upstairs bedroom directly from the stairs. This means you have to go downstairs to change if you want privacy and go downstairs to use the bathroom. While the primary bedroom did have a door, its latch locked others out completely, making it impractical.

Family-Friendliness & Pool Transparency We traveled with an infant, and the property did provide a pack-and-play. Families with young children may struggle with the layout due to the lack of window covering for daytime naps (they exist in the bedrooms but nowhere else). The antique furniture is absolutely beautiful, but may not be appropriate if you have rowdy children (we had an infant, so no issues there).

Additionally, the pool was unheated during our stay, making it unusable. It would be helpful if guests were informed in advance that the pool is unheated.

The Bright Spots: Hosts, Outdoor Space & Farm Animals Despite the frustrations, there were some positives. Justice and Katie, the hosts, were very responsive to our concerns. When we requested that the coffee machine be descaled, they promptly replaced it, which we greatly appreciated. Their attentiveness helped mitigate some of the issues we encountered.

The beds + linens were absolutely incredible. I slept very well.

The outdoor space was another highlight. The furniture was comfortable and well-maintained, making it a great place to relax. The farm animals—including cows, goats, and dogs—were a delight and added to the rustic charm of the property. These elements helped make the experience more enjoyable, even if the house itself had significant drawbacks.

Final Thoughts The Counter Farmstead has some great features—cozy beds, charming farm animals, and nice outdoor spaces—but the overall experience was diminished by poor plumbing, inadequate climate control, lack of privacy, and...

I'm not sure that we could have been more taken with Coulter Farmstead. We fully expected it to be a nice place to stay (it was a little drive from where we planned to visit, but the reviews made it nonnegotiable for me-- we HAD to stay here), and it certainly WAS, but more than that, it is really a destination in and of itself. The fact is that, despite all of the fun we had in Arkansas (what a beautiful state), we were sorry that we didn't leave ourselves more time to just hang around on the farmstead and relax. Waking up to see the animals and the beautiful sunrise over the trees, sitting by the pool with the sound of the waterfall, enjoying the amazing breakfast, getting to know Brad, the Proprietor, (who may actually be the most interesting man in the world,) touring the Counter home, snuggling the adorable cats, and of course, enjoying the accommodations in the barn. What a perfect place to stay. The richly appointed, thoughtful, and space maximizing design offered us plenty of lounge space, and the beds were a dream, but the furniture, art, and aesthetic details are just beyond next level. The layers, textures, colors, even photos didn't do it justice. There was even soft music playing when we arrived, and the lighting and ambiance highlighted an attention to detail that is so rare and just so appreciated. It's hard to believe that Brad hasn't been doing this his entire life. We felt so welcomed. I loved every second of this place, and I'd come back again just to stick around the barn for a few days. I'm trying to talk my girlfriends into it already, because I can't wait to see what Brad has planned for the farm next. Road trip to Arkansas anyone?? Coulter is as...

What a place!

First this is such a unique place! If your looking for a place just to wind down and enjoy a book with your fav beverage, this is the place

Presentation: builds are spot on and so beautiful. The cabins are old and rustic but have all of today’s amenities. The farm functional with pigs and goats during the winter and horses in the summer.

Host: Bradley is the owner and he very personable and a joy to have conversations with. He stays on property making sure your stay is enjoyable.

Amenities: Trails are available along with a pool to relax at. Kids have the opportunity to help with the animals and just hang out with friend with cards and other games.

Store: Bradley runs the store and it’s stocked with food so you really don’t need to leave the property. Ton of items in the store and drinks and candy for the kids to purchase.

Town of historic Washington has a few things to tour and check out. Hope ark has good Mexican food and a Walmart for supplies. It’s not far off I-30.

We will be back for a few festivals that will happen in March and April.

RV parking is available and he is associated with Harvest Host.

Accessibly: full high speed fiber internet service and wireless to the entire property.

This is a place If you need to escape the rush of daily life but still need to stay connected you...