Inn at Perry Cabin

Perched beside the Miles River, a tributary of Chesapeake Bay, sits a classic white colonial mansion built by Purser Samuel Hambleton and christened the Inn at Perry Cabin. Hambleton, a War of 1812 Navy veteran and aide-de-camp to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, specifically constructed the Inn to resemble the Commodore’s cabin (“Perry Cabin”) on the flagship USS Niagara. The property’s identity changed numerous times over the years: from a private home to a working farm, and then to a riding academy. In 1980 Harry Meyerhoff of St. Michaels converted it into a six-room hotel with a small restaurant. In 1989, Sir Bernard Ashley purchased the property and began a two-year expansion that transformed the building into a 41-room luxury hotel. Orient-Express Hotels acquired the property in May 1999; and, by 2003, completed a $17 million improvement program designed by the architecture firm of Cooper, Robertson & Partners, which included three new buildings and 38 guest suites to bring the total room count from its original 41 to 79. In March 2014, Orient-Express Hotels changed its name to Belmond, and the hotel was renamed Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond. My companion and I were fortunate enough to spend three blissful nights at the Inn at Perry Cabin, which has long enjoyed the reputation of being the top hotel on Maryland’s Eastern Shore – and with good reason. The Inn is the home of classic elegance – antique & contemporary furnishings complemented by an uncluttered contemporary décor – beautifully blending faultless professional hospitality with the informal & friendly atmosphere of a traditional inn. Through a bit of good luck, and the ministrations of our savvy travel agent, upon arrival, we were upgraded from a deluxe room to a junior suite, which added immeasurably to the pleasure of our stay. The room was beautiful, as was the view from our deck… but there are also plenty of activities to keep you busy. Modern facilities include an outdoor pool, health club, and fitness center, as well as a Pete Dye-designed golf course and tennis complex by Cliff Drysdale. Of course, there’s always the sailing academy if you’d prefer to explore the waters of Chesapeake Bay. On the other hand, if you’re in the mood, you can just join the tourist brigade exploring the interesting shops and restaurants in St. Michaels. But on to the food… The Inn at Perry’s Cabin basically offers guests three dining options: Stars (pictured above), their gourmet restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Purser’s Pub, offering a menu of locally-inspired small plates, as well as a collection of rare whiskeys and bourbons; and the High Tide Pool Bar, which we did not visit. The day of our check-in, we arrived too late to have lunch at Stars, so we decided to pay a call at Purser’s Pub, which opened at 3:00 p.m. The bartender mixes a mean Cosmo – Tito’s Handmade Vodka specified – as my dining partner may clearly attest. My wine of choice was a first-class Stoller Famil

We have been prior. The staff is poorly trained and non-responsive. It was worst than a year ago. Pool was freezing cold. Having said that, the restaurants in the little town are super with Limoncellos a must. Moreover, the Inn is gorgeously maintained, beautiful views, lots to do in your own. Even with the poor staff, if you’re a self starter there is tennis, outdoor seating with firepits, boating, free bikes and THE most beautiful and challenging golf course and I played Pebble Beach this year.

The Inn at Perry Cabin is lovely and the staff is excellent and helpful. The Food was excellent and our rooms were lovely. We enjoyed sitting outside for Lunch and Breakfast and around the fire pit in the evening. We will return for another visit in the future.

We make 2 trips every summer to the Inn. The value of staying here much outweighs the never-ending costs and frustrations of a trip to OC or Delaware beaches. We usually come once as a couple and once with our family of 4- two girls 9 and 11. While its an upscale place to bring kids, they never feel like they can't be a kid here. The staff is so accomodating and gracious. Some of our favorite employees are Owen & Kai--both of which are fantastic dock hands that allow us to seamlessly arrive by boat. Front Desk Heather and how she is able to remember everything about us every time we visit. She also let us in on a secret that the beautiful smell throughout the property is Egyptian Sandalwood--which I promptly bought on Pura so my home could smell as luxurious. The pool bartenders who never missed a beat when our drinks or snacks were low. We also enjoyed the recent updates--pickleball and kids bikes. Would love to see more mid-level kid bikes too (thinking tween size). Overall, can't wait til next summer when we are at what my kids call "their happy place"!

Just spent two days at the Inn and came away very impressed. This place is a treasure. The waterfront property is spectacular, with beautiful vistas, well-tended lawns and gardens and too many enticing seating areas complete with fire pits to count. Our room was spacious and clean with meadow and water views. The king sized bed was outstanding with a super comfortable mattress. The restaurant offers stunning views and while we only ate breakfast there, it was very good. The entire staff was welcoming and cheerful…like they were genuinely pleased to have us there. We were certainly pleased to be there. The Inn clearly understands the importance of paying attention to details. A stay here is not cheap, but in our opinion delivers a very satisfying experience. We will be back and are comfortable recommending it to others.

Terrific setting and a charming town but the Inn is showing its age. A lot of deferred maintenance - dirty hand prints on doors to pool, black mould on lots of exterior surfaces (need a good power wash), peeling paint on water facing exterior walls. Room is dated/ no place to plug in I phone on nightstand etc. Not all bad but not what it used to be and not for the price

Beautiful hotel, grounds and it is right on the water. The restaurants and pool were excellent. The staff was friendly and helpful with any questions or inquiries. The rooms were beautiful and tastefully decorated. Only regret the weather was close to 100 degrees and would love to go back the experience the outdoor activities and spa

The Inn is a charming property with historical past. First and foremost the staff was a delight and made you feel at home and appreciated. They were all great and attentive. A special shout out to Michael at the front desk. The property is stunning with wonderful gardens that provide for a nice stroll, grass lawns for relaxing in adorondike chair overlooking the water. All of the main public rooms overlooked the water. Our room reservation included breakfast so we enjoyed well prepared meals in the dinning room with views of the water. While there we also enjoyed a family dinner which provided a delightful meal and great service. We enjoyed a historical tour of the property and St Michaels as well as a sail boat tour of the area and a competitive family bocci ball tournament. Did I mention service. When one of the staff saw the family playing bocci ball she came to the court and provided sun screen, water as well as umbrellas. Although the Inn is walking distance to town and all of the restaurants, the Inn has several BMW's that are available to transport the guest to and from town. Our room was a water view room with deck and chairs. The room was spacious, bed comfortable with nice linen, fluffy towels bathrobes along with a Nespresso and room safe. Turn down service was offered with yummy bed time cookies.

The grounds are gorgeous, the activities plentiful, but it just isn't worth the cost. Our water-front room (06) had several issues. Our wardrobe closet doors closed with a series of eerie creaks, our bed joined in the creaky chorus with every movement! The bathroom was the height of inconvenience with a pedestal sink. I brought a suitcase into the bathroom so my cosmetics bag wouldn't have to rest atop the toilet. The deep soaking tub had a glass shower pane covering about a third of the tub, so yes, there was some water on the floor with every shower. Breakfast was not crazy priced and was good. In general the food offerings were tasty, including the daily packet of cookies provided with the nightly turndown service. Every day at 5 pm there is a champaign toast offered by the flag, a wonderful experience. The pool is large and well maintained, with mallard ducks sometimes stopping in to see who might be eating something! They were hoping for a handout. The gardens include herbs and salad greens used in the restaurants. The Inn is an experience, a very pricey experience.