Opened in July in St. Michaels, Maryland, The Wildset Hotel evokes a sense of the Danish term “hygge,” which refers to a cozy atmosphere built on warmth in many forms: blankets, fire, reading nooks, a convivial ambience.
The hotel, which is composed of five historic structures, features those comforts and more. The 34 guest rooms and suites have wide-plank oak floors, aged brass and pewter accents, and casually elegant custom furniture and bedding, plus books for guests to read by authors such as Barbara Kingsolver and Mary Oliver.
Several rooms have a built-in bench with pillows, a fireplace and a private balcony or patio. The hotel’s sundry shop includes a coffee bar and shelves lined with bath salts, blankets, candles and literary best-sellers.
Head outside to the oversize stone firepit to relax with a glass of wine or to roast marshmallows for s’mores (free kits are available year-round). A complimentary daily breakfast features fresh pastries, yogurt and house-made granola.
Seafood-centric restaurant Ruse—named as a nod to St. Michaels being known as the town that fooled the British during the War of 1812—has a full bar and a lovely oyster bar with a hand-painted tile base.
Learn how generations of locals have lived and played on the bay at the nearby Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Bikes are available for cruising around town, and a pool is slated to open in May. Rates begin at $197 per night.
The Wildset Hotel, 209 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels, Maryland, 410-745-8004.