Lodging in Oxford, Maryland: From Historic Inns to Private Houses, This Town is Quite Accommodatiing

May 18, 2012 - PRLog -- Oxford, MD – Nestled on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Town of Oxford may be diminutive (its population numbers less than 1,000), but its charm, big heart, and character are anything but. Add to the list a small but select group of places to stay – called “fantastic” by Yachting magazine in 2011 when naming Oxford as the World’s Best Yachting Town – and it all adds up to a dream destination. Here’s a tour of the accommodations available in this delightful waterside town.

The historic Robert Morris Inn, located at the foot of North Morris Street, the town’s main drag, just across the street from the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry dock, offers a range of accommodations for Oxford visitors. Owned by proprietor and celebrity chef Mark Salter (with long-time manager of the Inn at Perry Cabin, Ian Fleming), America’s oldest inn was once the home of the eponymous "Financier of the Revolution." General and later President George Washington was a close friend and visited Robert Morris often. In more recent times author James Michener outlined his famous novel Chesapeake here as well. Guest rooms, which are available bundled with dining packages or a la carte (with breakfast), range from cozy to spacious, but all have beautiful views of the town and/or the river and bay, and there is a separate cottage as well. And the dining in Salter’s Tap Room & Tavern and the more formal Dining Room is to die for!

Guests of the Sandaway B&B, an 1875 Victorian style mansion across the street and on the water, have a range of guest room options. There are 18 rooms of various sizes, each with unique special features such as a screened in porch, claw foot tub, or river view, as well as Nichols House, a private carriage house cottage for two with its own tranquil garden. The large lawn leading down to the water is dotted with ancient mimosa and horse chestnut trees, and there’s a small sand beach near the unique relaxation cottage down by the shore. Guests can start the day with light fare breakfast bites delivered to their doorways, then walk across the street for brunch at the Taproom & Tavern. Sandaway offers a classic Eastern Shore experience, relaxed and comfortable and fully in tune with the rhythms of the river and bay.

Visitors lucky enough to be staying at The Ruffled Duck Inn, also on North Morris Street, will delight in its blend of traditional and eclectic décor – each room and private bath has its own distinct decorating theme -- not to mention the tasty breakfasts on offer each morning. Thoughtful touches in this fully renovated historic inn include fine chocolates in a bowl at the foot of the stairs, an automatic coffee/tea machine, and a mini-fridge in the comfortable sitting room. The parlor, with its large fireplace, big screen television, and quirky design touches, is a lovely spot to catch up on the news or take a catnap. Beautiful, practical, and relaxing, the comfy chairs on the generous front porch provide the perfect spot to soak up Oxford’s classic American small town atmosphere.

The Nichols House, situated in the heart of town, is a circa 1880s Victorian-style cottage. Recently reopened after completion of renovations, new hosts Luann and Read Madaryozy are eager to welcome guests. Cozy accommodations, complete with a fully equipped kitchen, cable TV, and Wi-Fi, and proximity to all Oxford has to offer are certain to please. A special touch, making this gem the perfect retreat for two at any time of year: a lovely private garden.

The historic and romantic Oxford Inn, located at the other end of Morris Street from the Robert Morris Inn and Sandaway, is a quaint bed and breakfast dating back to circa 1880. Its seven guest rooms offer custom-designed country comfort, yet each is individually heated and cooled. There’s also a cozy library room for relaxing and gathering with friends and family. Pope’s Tavern downstairs offers a casually elegant dining experience with a setting and menu inspired by a European bistro under the guidance of Chef Lisa MacDougal. Epitomizing the warm and welcoming nature of Oxford’s residents and merchants, the Inn recently procured a genuine London Black Cab  (a 1958 Austin FX3, to be precise) dubbed the “Pope’s Mobile” to ferry revelers to and from their boats, rental homes, and other destinations.

Combsberry Inn, located on the outskirts of town on Bringman’s Cove, a tributary of the Choptank River, is an historic 1730 English country manor style home complete with a carriage house and cottage. Charming and peaceful yet eco-friendly as well, it strikes the perfect balance between a storied past and limitless future.  Its spacious guest rooms, beautifully decorated common areas, and 30 acres of land create an exclusive lifestyle destination ideal for families, group gatherings, weddings and other celebrations, and executive retreats. Equipped with a deep water pier, it’s an excellent option for boaters as well. Guests will awake in their sun-filled guest rooms, complete with bath and fireplace, eager to enjoy an innkeeper-prepared gourmet breakfast, as well as other treats throughout the day. And talk about personalized service: the innkeeper will stock the kitchen to guests’ specifications so they can cook up a storm themselves while taking in the beautiful view through the wall of windows enclosing the spacious breakfast area and kitchen.

Finally, any one of Talbot County’s fine realtors will be happy to arrange a rental in one of the lovely residences for lease around town.

With lodging options like these, it’s no wonder visitors return again and again ... and more than a few have decided to join the citizenry of this tiny but terrific town.

Lodging in Oxford, Maryland: comfort, convenience, and choice for any taste

About Oxford, Maryland:
The historic town of Oxford, Maryland, founded in 1683, is located in Talbot County on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.  Until the American Revolution, Oxford was an international shipping center, surrounded by tobacco plantations and home to a number of prominent national figures.  Later it thrived on oyster harvesting and packing and other watermen’s trades, even as tourism and leisure activities increased.  It guards its peaceful personality, architectural integrity, and small-town virtues to this day, while warmly welcoming visitors from right next door and around the world. The Oxford Business Association welcomes inquiries by telephone (1-410-745-9023) and at its website (www.portofoxford.com); and the Talbot County Office of Tourism offers comprehensive information and trip planning services at its Easton office (1-410-770-8000) and on its website (www.tourtalbot.org).