Hotel Spotlight: The Beauty & Calm of the Chesapeake Bay at the INN AT PERRY CABIN.
Only about an hour from Washington, DC, we felt like we were worlds away from the hustle bustle of the city when we reached the waterfront, bucolic setting of The Inn at Perry Cabin last week. Our childhood memories of the property intermingled with the gorgeous scenery from the movie "Wedding Crashers," for which the Inn served as a set. The entire time we were there (two days and nights which was too short!!) we wandered around the incredibly beautiful grounds and the just renovated rooms and interiors exclaiming how stunning it all was and taking way too many pictures...
Nestled smack on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay in the picture perfect tiny town of St. Michaels, Maryland, The Inn at Perry Cabin has been welcoming guests for decades. The history of the waterfront colonial mansion is palatable and adds depth that is buoyed by all of the recent renovations which cost almost $3 million and took four months. The result is that you feel you're staying at a wealthy friend's weekend/summer estate-- delightful! The rooms are fresh and elegant while also being cozy and again have the feeling of being (one of the nicest) guest rooms at a friend's home with personal touches like vintage novels, silver candlesticks and seashells.
Even the "entry level" rooms are a delight with doors that open onto private patios steps from the water's edge, abounding with plants and flowers, or upper level rooms that have porches.
While the renovation is sublime, our Dad, who we took with us and had been a more frequent visitor over the years, did bemoan the loss of squeaky floorboards and nooks for backgammon and billiards. These "nooks" have been refreshed with overstuffed furniture and antiques that beg for tea time or cocktails over a good book or conversation....
The Inn at Perry Cabin is a heavenly retreat no matter the season or weather. The first day we were there was grey, rainy and cold. We headed to the Linden Spa for therapeutic treatments which all begin with a warm tea foot cleansing, soak and massage.... We loved this intimate spa which again feels like a relaxing private home. The relaxation room is actually quite chic with walls hung with pressed plants and flowers and an offering of teas, cucumber water and snacks.
After our treatments, we dressed for drinks at Purser's Pub and then dinner at Sherwood's Landing, both on the property. Purser's Pub is casual but elegant and you can imagine cozying in before a roaring fire in the winter. We thought the calamari fingers (fried calamari strips with divine dipping sauces) were beyond delicious....
Sherwood's Landing is a fine dining experience and Chef Mark Timms is an innovator which shows in his over the top fantastic lobster sous vide and beet salad served with horseradish ice cream. Our waiter Chance was professional yet friendly and steered us to the Smith Island cake for dessert-- we very much appreciated him sharing his knowledge of the area-- thank you, Chance! After our decadent drinking and dining we borrowed a copy of "Wedding Crashers" from the front desk and donning the terry cloth bathrobes in our room settled in before the fire to watch Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn get up to no good in our very surroundings...
The next day was sunny and warm and clear. After a hearty breakfast, we hopped on the complimentary bikes offered by the Inn and had a gorgeous bike ride through the charming town and along the bike path that weaves through flowery meadows and over a covered bridge.
We would have loved to have had time to luxuriate by the pool in the afternoon but alas had to rush off to a fabulous boat ride and wine tasting on the Bay...
We will regale you with tales from our boat ride and findings in the lovely town of St. Michaels next week.
In the meantime, our friends at The Inn at Perry Cabin have graciously offered our readers a complimentary upgrade at check in (subject to availability), 15% discount on spa treatments and a welcome cocktail for Sunday-Thursday night stays through August 30, 2012!!
Well, they will see us two sisters back again soon!!! xoxoxo