Spring may be just weeks away, but this time of year still has us firmly in winter’s grip. If the colder temperatures and too many days of gray skies leave you feeling a bit stir-crazy, it’s time to get out of the house and away from it all. Whether you are call the Eastern Shore home, or visit normally during the warmer months, winter is an ideal time to relax, unwind, and explore the coastal region. The smaller crowds make everything from shopping and dining, to simply booking a room much more convenient, and discounted prices simply add to the appeal. The Eastern Shore is comprised of three states in all, so even if you live here, there’s still certainly towns, or at the very least, little gems to stay in, that you haven’t discovered. Tell your special someone it’s time to pack a bag and plan a little stay, just the right amount of time, and a relatively short distance away, to fell like you’ve escaped the everyday.
In this two-part series, Shorebread explores the most romantic places to stay on the Eastern Shore, from boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts, to major hotels that up the romance factor—some places you may know, others could be hidden treasures. Up first is the coast, from Lewes, DE to the southern most point of Cape Charles, VA, all the places to stay featured here are just a stone’s throw away from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
Oceanfront Bed and Breakfasts:
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Addy Sea, Bethany Beach, DE: Built in 1902, this Victorian oceanfront mansion, once a private residence, has opened its doors to visitors since the Great Depression. Original details in this bed and breakfast have been well preserved such as tin ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and original woodwork. Here, it’s easy to step back in time, back to when the boardwalk was used for an afternoon stroll by ladies wearing long gowns, protected from the sun by delicate umbrellas. When retiring for tea and lemonade on the expansive veranda was simply part of daily routine. Now, the Addy Sea is an oceanfront retreat that celebrates the past while including the modern comforts of today. This adults-only B&B is currently offering a $99 any room special, Mondays through Thursdays through March 28th, 2013. |
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Inn on the Ocean, Ocean City, MD The Inn on the Ocean, built in the 1930’s, is Maryland’s only oceanfront bed and breakfast. Located on Ocean City’s famous boardwalk, the sandy beach, plenty of Ocean City staple shops, the Lifesaving Station Museum, and a host of other attractions are only steps away. Winter is a wonderful time to visit when the roaring fireplace in the living room casts a warming glow, keeping the wind and cooler temperatures at bay, all while enjoying an unparalleled oceanfront view. Vicki Barrett, co-owner of the Inn with husband Charlie, is quite the accomplished chef. Her breakfasts at the Inn receive rave reviews year after year from satisfied guests. Contact in advance for special dietary considerations. |
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Hotels
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Dunes Manor, Ocean City, MD This centrally located oceanfront hotel embraces the pleasantries and traditions of a bygone and more romantic era, while making sure accommodations fit the standards of today’s modern traveler. Complimentary afternoon tea is served daily. The Zippy Lewis lounge is named in honor of a legendary Ocean City resident whose infamous story is part of local lore, showing that the Dunes Manor is a place where history is both appreciated and celebrated. Each room is oceanfront and includes an expansive balcony. Winter specials currently apply. |
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Hotel Monte Carlo, Ocean City, MD Just steps from the boardwalk, this hotel was newly renovated in 2012. During the summer months guests enjoy the sites and sounds of Ocean City from the rooftop pool (a perfect location to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July). During the winter, it’s a great place to hole-up, escape, and enjoy the quiet of the less busy season. Many rooms and suites feature 2-person Jacuzzi tubs, adding to the romance factor. |
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The Lighthouse and The Edge, Bayside Ocean City, MD Both hotels are part of the Fager’s Island complex, the ubiquitous Ocean City staple that includes a celebrated fine dining restaurant, avid bar scene, and top-notch accommodations. Both hotels are directly on the bay. The Lighthouse is reminiscent of its namesake in exterior design. Interior features include imported and custom-designed furnishings by Lawrence Peabody. This all-suites hotel offers any amenity the discerning traveler would appreciate. The Edge, also bay front, boasts 11 suites, all unique. Each suite features a worldly theme, complimented by design elements that transport the guest, albeit subtlety, all while against the backdrop of Ocean City’s beautiful Isle of Wight bay. Glass bathrooms, walk-in showers, double Jacuzzis, and beyond stylish décor make for a memorable and very romantic stay. |
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“Inns”
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Inn at Canal Square, Lewes, DE Located directly on the Lewes Harbor, this Inn boasts 22 rooms and additional suites, most with balconies overlooking the water. All rooms are exceptionally spacious and feature luxury bedding. The suites are more like guesthouses, perfect for extended stays or multiple couples on a retreat. The Inn’s central location in the heart of the historic district makes it an ideal spot for travelers who like to explore. Shops, heralded restaurants, museums and many historical landmarks dating back to the 17th century are all just steps away. The Inn is currently featuring spontaneous specials—try the Romantic Winter Escape, or book now for the Chocolate Lover’s Delight Getaway March 1 & 2, 2013. |
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Delaware Inn, Rehoboth The Delaware Inn is a renovated 1937 beach house and Bed and Breakfast. With 8 rooms to choose from, the Inn is more intimate than some of the other choices and offers all the comforts of home—made one better as it’s just a block and a half from the ocean and centered in the heart of the cultural and culinary wonder that is downtown Rehoboth Beach. |
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The Bellmoor Inn and Spa, Rehoboth Beach, DE Luxury appointments, an online site full-service spa, concierge service, two pools, a Zen garden and rooms to suit every need and want make the Bellmoor Inn Rehoboth’s standout hotel. The traditional deluxe hotel rooms and suites are certainly superior, but the Bellmoor offers more. The ultra-private Bellmoor Club Suites are individually decorated and feature upscale amenities, (there’s even a shared library) like fireplaces and therapeutic tubs for two, perfect for getting away from it all. If you’d rather the quaint charm of a cottage by the beach, book the Palmer House, Garden Rooms, or Gardener’s Cottage—you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into your own private beach house and left the rest of the world behind. |
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Boutique Hotels
Though usually more of an urban concept, boutique hotels can even be found in the quaint, historic small towns of the Eastern Shore. Usually much smaller than traditional hotels, but filled with all of the upscale amenities (and then some) of their larger counterparts, boutique hotels offer more privacy and often more character. Take two boutique at the opposite ends of the peninsula for example, both with the color blue in common.
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Hotel Blue, Lewes, DE Lewes Delaware’s Hotel Blue is modern, private, and very hip. The double sinks glow blue when the bathroom lights are off, the ice buckets also change in hue, and blue returns to light up the exterior on the balconies of each room. The town itself may harken back to the late 1600’s, but you won’t find any relics from the past, here. Instead, this adults-only hotel focuses on the details couples would want when they step away from it all. Fireplaces are in every room, as are queen-sized beds, not kings – even though the rooms are more than ample enough to fit the larger beds – perhaps a not-so-subtle invitation for couples to be as close as possible. Complimentary robes are so unbelievably comfortable, leaving the room may in fact be difficult. The hotel doesn’t offer room service, but they do supply a 24-hour espresso bar and fruit in the lobby and Wolfgang Puck coffee in every room. If you do decide to venture out, the Hotel Blue is just a stone’s throw away from the restaurants and shops on the 2nd street corridor. Off-season rates currently apply, making it the perfect time of year to visit for a winter reprieve. |
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Cape Charles Blue, Cape Charles, VA Much farther south, at the southern most tip of the Eastern Shore sits the Victorian town of Cape Charles, VA. Nestled in the heart of the historic district is Cape Charles Blue, a hotel that seamlessly melds the past and present together in one perfect place to stay. The walls are made of exposed circa 1900 brick; the kitchen is made in part of reclaimed wood from the original roof. As for the present, each room is a 700 sq. ft. loft and features clean lines, natural materials—leather, natural stone—high ceilings and all the creature comforts modern travelers would want. Blue is unexpected, a juxtaposition of contemporary and antique, and a beacon of both comfort and romance at the edge of the Eastern Shore. |
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