ST. MICHAELS, MD — A Maryland resort on the Eastern Shore with scenic waterfront views, a stellar golf course and meals by an award-winning chef was named to the top spot on Travel + Leisure’s best Mid-Atlantic resorts list for 2025.
The mid-Atlantic is home to picturesque ocean views, from the beach towns of New Jersey and harbors in Maryland to rivers and springs in Pennsylvania. Two Maryland spots made the list this year, with the Inn at Perry Cabin: St. Michaels winning top honors.
Travel + Leisure asked its readers to complete a survey on many aspects of the travel experience. In the resorts category, venues were ranked based on: Rooms/facilities, location, service, food and value.
The Maryland resorts making the Top 10 list are: No. 1. Inn at Perry Cabin: St. Michaels and No. 8 Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina: Cambridge.
Here’s what the Travel + Leisure editors said about a stay at the Inn at Perry Cabin: “Described by one reader as an “indulgent and utterly relaxing place to be,” the waterfront resort expertly balances activities — from golfing and biking to rum tastings and croquet — with an overall relaxing atmosphere.
“The setting is superb, no matter what the season. The staff is highly professional and helpful [with] anything,” explained one reader. Another shared the “luxurious accommodations,” “delicious on-site dining options,” and “wonderful lawn overlooking the river” were the best parts of their stay. Together, these features and amenities create a resort that consistently delights even the most discerning travelers.
The inn offers a spa with yoga on the banks of the Miles River, a fitness center, and more; a golf course designed by Pete and Alice Dye; tennis clinics with a pro; and spaces for wedding ceremonies, receptions and honeymoons. There are several drinks and dining options, from Stars restaurant to Purser’s Pub & Courtyard.
According to its website, the inn’s original manor house was built in the early 1800s after the War of 1812; it became an inn and restaurant in 1980. After renovations and additions, the Inn at Perry Cabin includes 82 rooms and a world-class spa. It has seven classic sailing vessels.
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No. 8. Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina: Cambridge
The chain says about its resort: “Our AAA Four Diamond getaway includes the 18-hole River Marsh Golf Course, 150-slip marina, full-service Sago Spa and countless ways to play in the sun. Explore Cambridge, Maryland for both a rich history and a contemporary vibe.”
History lives in the Cambridge area. Hyatt suggests dining at Michener’s Library, a restaurant in Cambridge named for the author of “Chesapeake” and other novels. The space includes fireplaces and a two-story glass wall overlooking River Marsh Golf Course and the Choptank River. Adjacent nooks for billiards and reading are named after area heroes like Harriet Tubman, Annie Oakley, William Vans Murray and King Ababaco.
Other things to do in the area: Get a nature fix at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge or enjoy 18 holes at River Marsh, named one of the best golf courses in the state. From cycling to horseback riding, fishing and crabbing, strolls through downtown Cambridge to historical explorations at the Richardson Maritime Museum.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
