By the Bay
The Inn at PERRY CABIN
After just an hour’s drive over the Bay
Bridge and down Route 50, you find
yourself in the unspoiled Eastern Shore
of Maryland, filled with cornfields, breathtaking
water views and towns without traffic lights
or fast food chains, but plenty of mom and pop
shops. It’s seems that the Eastern Shore has an
even more cachet today then ever before. There
are rumors that Lynne Cheney has been shopping
at Pottery Barn to furnish their new Eastern
Shore home. Over the summer, Sarah Jessica
Parker was spotted in Easton filming her new
movie, and Wedding Crashers starring Owen
Wilson and Vince Vaughn was filmed at The
Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael’s.
Built in 1812, The Inn at Perry Cabin once
served as a captain’s house for Purser Samuel
Hambleton on the Cheasapeake Bay. It wasn’t
until the 1980’s that it was transformed into a
small luxury inn, eventually landing in the hands
of Sir Bernard Ashley of the Laura Ashley
Company. Under his ownership, it developed
into a 41-room luxury hotel with five-star
service. For years, however, guests frequently
complained about the small, dark rooms, which
many thought were overpriced. This is certainly
not the case today.
ROOMS
Seventeen million dollars later and with The
Orient Express Group as the new owners, The
Inn at Perry Cabin is a much-changed property,
and transformed into a true relaxation oasis
away from the city. Half of the rooms are located
in a newly expanded wing with the look of a
contemporary Maryland seaside inn. At first glance it appears simplistic, clean lines with solid
colored furniture. Then you discover the carefully
chosen antique drawings depicting the anatomy
of shells. After pressing a button to cause the
television to rise from a small box at the end
of the bed, you realize that every detail in the
room is carefully planned. Rooms boast elegant
working fireplaces and overstuffed couches ideal
for curling up to read. Each bathroom is spacious
with oversized bathtubs and marble showers.
The other accommodations are located in
the historic wing where Lord Ashley’s English
Country influences are still seen in the floral
fabrics and pastel colors. These rooms are smaller
but still offer many of the same luxuries: large
beds, sitting areas and impressive views of the
Chesapeake Bay. They feature many of the original
Early American antiques that past owners
collected throughout the years.
DINING
The award-winning Sherwood’s Landing
restaurant offers the best of Eastern Shore fare,
including blue crab, mussels and oysters. On
select days, chef Michael Salter walks down to
the farmer’s market for local, organically grown
produce to create a “market menu,” ranging
from fresh ahi-tuna with corn, zucchini and
squash to free-range chicken and new potatoes.
Salter’s approach is modern classical, with a light
emphasis on quantity, so that you can enjoy three
courses without guilt. The minimalist décor
directs your attention to the harbor where large
sailboats glide by the large yachts moored at the
pier. The restaurant has earned many accolades
from Wine Spectator and four diamonds from
the Mobil Travel Guide. They are well deserved.
For those seeking more casual fare, the Purser’s
Pub serves burgers, fish and chips and afternoon
snacks. The rich hardwood floors and openhearth
fireplace make it a perfect spot for a card
game or a round of backgammon or chess. The
chef makes sure to welcome each guest, including
their furry-legged friends, with welcome pet
packs stuffed with gourmet dog biscuits.
ACTIVITIES
In 2006, the hotel will open a state-of-the-art
full service spa featuring facials, massages and
customized treatments. This will complement
the Inn’s Nautilus exercise facility and outdoor
infinity edge pool. Every sport you can possibly
play in animal embroidered pants is also
available: bocce ball, croquet and badminton, in
addition to nearby facilities for golf and sailing.
In winter, the inn offers local hunting and jazz
weekends. The town of St. Michaels and Easton
are also ideal for antiquing. The Inn at Perry
Cabin, 308 Watkins Lane, St. Michaels, Md., (410)
745-2200, www.perrycabin.com.
Rooms range from
$295 to $745. |
