Garden and the Sea Inn

If you plan to visit Chincoteague and the wildlife refuge of Assateague but would prefer to stay away from the tourist hustle and bustle, I would recommend the Garden and the Sea, a few minutes north in the quiet village of New Church. As you turn from the highway you can see ahead the magnificent structure of this inn, which encompasses three buildings, one Victorian, one 1850s, and one new. Here you find all the comforts of home—and more—in eight appealing guestrooms. Those in the original and 1850s buildings have tall ceilings and lend themselves to that Victorian decor of patterned fabrics and floral carpets. All offer sitting areas and private bathrooms with whirlpool tubs except one, which has an old cast-iron claw-foot bathtub. In the new house the decor of the very private suite is more contemporary and the bathroom features a two-person spa tub. One building has three rooms, which are very spacious, bright, and cheery, and would make a great place for families or friends to come together to linger over coffee or to stroll in the early-morning or the late-afternoon light. This is one of the few inns where you may bring your pet—or enjoy those of the owners. You can also now enjoy a new swimming pool.