An Elegant, Family-Owned Country Inn nested on the Shore of St. Mary’s City and St. Jerome’s Creek

Swanendele Inn is an elegant, family-owned country inn nestled on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay and St. Jerome’s Creek. It is close to St. Mary’s City and College, the College of Southern Maryland as well as Patuxent Naval Air Station and Webster Field. The closest international airports are Dulles, Baltimore, and Reagan National while Saint Mary’s County Regional Airport (2W6) is 15 miles away and seaplanes occasionally land on St. Jerome’s Creek. St. Mary’s County offers history, outdoor recreation, and water, water everywhere! St. Mary’s has some of the earliest and finest colonial sites in the nation, War of 1812 and Civil War sites, and a rich maritime history illuminated by four picturesque lighthouses. From Amish farms steeped in tradition to the latest in aviation – St. Mary’s has it all for you to enjoy!

Swanendele Inn was constructed in traditional Southern Maryland style, with wraparound porches and waterfront views from every window. Notwithstanding the “times gone by” charm of the Inn, it features the latest in water and energy-saving features, such as geothermal heating and AC, triple-pane windows, and energy-star appliances. Millions of fresh, delicious oysters are grown and harvested in our riparian waters. The suite and every room afford natural stone, thermostat-controlled fireplaces, ceiling fans, white oak floors, and marble/granite baths. The Suite and the largest room offer Jacuzzi tubs for two with a defined view of the water and sunset – each with a built-in Champagne sink. The house is furnished with the owner’s eclectic collection of artwork and antiques gathered from all over the world.

The owners originally had planned to build a waterfront home in the Florida panhandle, but they were captured by the rich history and unmatched natural beauty of St. Mary’s County. They bought the Swanendele land featuring nearly 800 feet of wrap-around waterfront in 2001 and slowly, meticulously planned and built the guest house in-between professional assignments overseas.

The name “Swanendele” is as cosmopolitan and rooted in history as the team at the Swanendele Inn. Swanendele is derived from the Dutch word for “valley of swans.” The owners chose the name because of the pair of nesting swans residing on the property in 2001, but also because of the property’s historic links to the ill-fated Dutch colony of “Zwaanendael,” centered in the area of Lewes, Delaware but extending north through New Jersey to “New Netherlands” and “New Amsterdam” – now New York State and City.

The Swanendele property of 2.7 acres features nearly 800 feet of wraparound waterfront and a 1-acre of state-owned “wetland.” The property has been landscaped to preserve the natural character of the land and vegetation, but colorful gardens have been added, providing year-round greenery and seasonal flowers. The Swanendele grounds and wetlands have become a bird sanctuary – with clients frequently identifying dozens of species in a single day, ranging from the majestic bald eagles to the tiny hummingbirds! Bring your binoculars, monoculars and cameras to build memories!! Fabulous uncrowded beaches are nearby as are a number of State Parks.

Swanendele Inn is in Ridge, MD on historic Southern Maryland’s Western Shore, some 70 miles from Washington, DC, Baltimore, Richmond, VA, and 12 miles South of PAX and 7 miles north of Point Lookout at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. As St. Mary’s prepares for its’ 400th anniversary, the owners hope and trust that Swanendele Inn will become the flagship of St. Mary’s hospitality.