The Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond, a historic property in St. Michaels, Maryland, offers a tranquil coastal retreat with luxurious accommodations and a renowned spa. The inn provides a blend of relaxation, fine dining, and maritime history, making it an ideal destination for romantic getaways, celebrations, and those seeking a peaceful escape.
A Historic Setting
The original Inn was built in 1816 by Purser Samuel Hambleton, a War of 1812 Navy veteran and aide to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. Hambleton designed the Morning Room after Commodore Perry’s cabin on his flagship, hence the name, Inn at Perry Cabin. The Inn has undergone several renovations, with Sir Bernard Ashley purchasing the property in 1989 and adding the STARS restaurant. Orient Express took over in 1999, enlarging the dining room and adding new buildings, bringing the total to 78 rooms and suites. The Inn has been independently owned since 2019.
St. Michaels itself has a rich history, including being the home of Frederick Douglass for three years. The town is known as "the town that fooled the British" from the War of 1812, when residents hoisted lanterns into treetops to mislead British bombardments.
Luxurious Accommodations
The Inn features 30 suites and 48 guest rooms, each with a waterfront or garden view. Designed by Alexandra Champalimaud, the rooms incorporate modern furnishings and nautical decor with bright white tones and light colors. French doors open to private decks, patios, and verandas. Deluxe King rooms, like room number 49, are located in newer wings and feature gas fireplaces, king-sized beds with comfortable sheets, and palatial bathrooms with double sinks, glass-enclosed showers, and claw-foot tubs. Some rooms offer views of the Miles River and the St. Michaels lighthouse.
Dining Experiences
The Inn at Perry Cabin is known for its culinary offerings. STARS, the main restaurant, provides an elegant waterfront dining experience with local seafood and Chesapeake Bay flavors. The menu changes seasonally based on the local catch. The Luxe Chef’s Tasting Menu can be paired with a custom drink crafted by the restaurant's mixologist. Signature dishes include the St. Michael’s Oyster Stew and the Smith Island Cake.
For casual dining, the Purser’s Pub & Courtyard offers local dishes and craft cocktails. Guests can also enjoy poolside dining at the High Tide Pool Bar.
Breakfast at Stars is a highlight, with options ranging from a plentiful breakfast buffet to creamy, gooey eggs benedict. Room service is also available, offering items such as fruit and yogurt parfaits and crab omelets.
The Spa at Perry Cabin
The Spa at Perry Cabin, completed in 2007, features seven treatment rooms and offers a variety of treatments, including plant-based options inspired by the Eastern Shore. These treatments incorporate herbs and aromatics grown in the Inn’s gardens or on Eastern Shore farms. Popular treatments include couples' massages like the “Muddy Buddies” treatment, which includes a full body scrub, warm mud masque, and scalp massage. Solo treatments include the IPC Ultimate Results Hydrafacial. A customized massage with lemongrass and ginger oil can be delivered in a picturesque boat house surrounded by foliage for privacy.
The spa's relaxation room provides a tranquil space with zero-gravity chairs and magazines, along with a private patio for warmer seasons.
Activities and Amenities
Beyond the spa and fine dining, The Inn at Perry Cabin offers a variety of activities and amenities:
- Maritime Museum: Spend time at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum next door to the Inn.
- Sailing Programs: The Inn boasts one of the region’s most celebrated sailing programs.
- Walking Tours: Take a walking tour that begins at The Inn at Perry Cabin.
- Pet-Friendly: The Inn is extremely pet-friendly, with welcoming boat-shaped water bowls in the lobby and first-floor rooms with direct outdoor access for guests with pets.
- Gardens: Explore the Inn's gardens, where vegetables and garnishes are grown for the restaurants.
- Water Activities: Explore the river and estuaries leading to the Chesapeake Bay on the Inn's fleet of captained sailboats and yachts, including the restored 1902 skipjack.
- Local Exploration: Venture out to Tilghman Island, just a 20-minute drive from St. Michaels, to see real-life watermen still at work.
Exploring St. Michaels
St. Michaels offers a variety of attractions and activities:
- Boutique Shopping: Explore the eclectic boutiques in town, such as Simpatico for Italian items and Guilford & Company for jewelry and antiques.
- Dining: Sample famed crabs and Smith Island cakes at local restaurants.
- Kissing Bridge: Walk across St. Michael’s famous kissing bridge, made famous in the movie The First Kiss.
- Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Gift Shop: Visit the gift shop for nautical-themed home decor.
Service and Ambiance
The Inn at Perry Cabin provides exceptional service, with staff members offering friendly greetings and attentive assistance. Little details, like fresh-baked cookies at turndown service, enhance the experience. The atmosphere is tranquil and relaxing, making it easy to unwind and enjoy the waterfront views.
Eco-Friendly Efforts
The Inn is committed to sustainability, with locally sourced seafood and produce at its restaurants, honey and vegetables from on-site hives and gardens, an on-site composting program, and efforts to recycle. Single-use packaging is often recyclable.
Accessibility
The property is ADA compliant, with accessible rooms on the first floor and elevators for additional floors. Common spaces, restaurants, and the lobby are accessible without stairs.