If ever I need to escape “real life” – to feel a bay breeze on my face, and sip wine with my toes squiggling in the sand of a makeshift beach while watching a glorious sunset – I’ll wend my way down to Pier450 in teeny Ridge MD – population somewhere around 600.
While portions of the new Pier 450 hark back to the former – now defunct – 1940’s era Scheible’s Fish Camp, anglers who came to the tip of St. Mary’s County MD (where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake), will hardly recognize the place.
Maryland is replete with small, hidden, and thus, romantic hotels, inns and B&B’s – many on some kind of water be it creek, river, or bay. Of course, romantic for one might not be another’s cup of tea. Some couples look for the finest bed and breakfasts. Others a full service boutique hotel with fine dining.
WHY GO: There are bountiful things to do in St Mary’s County MD, a “can’t get there from here” section of Southern Maryland, bounded on three sides by water – the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay.
What are our picks for the most Romantic Hotels, Northeast US this year? As your Romantic Getaway experts, the Getaway Mavens were busy throughout 2024, staying in boutique hotels, inns, and Bed and Breakfasts all over the world, with a concentration in the Northeast United States.
Here in Maryland, we have no shortage of breathtaking water views to enjoy. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or dining on the water, it’s bound to be an unforgettable, bucket-list-worthy experience. One prime example of waterfront dining in Maryland is a place called POV. Located on Maryland’s western shore and part of the exciting destination known as Pier450, this kitchen specializes in food that’s been sourced hyer-locally. And just wait until you see the views!
If you’re looking for a destination that offers a slow, relaxing pace of waterfront living, history around every corner, and endless, forested greenspace inviting you to adventure and recreation, St. Mary’s, Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay will pique both your spirit and your tastebuds.
Southern Maryland has fantastic food, from crab fritters to local oysters celebrated at the U.S. Oyster Festival, held every fall at the St. Mary’s County Fairground. But it’s not where you’d think to go for something exotic, like Vietnamese, Armenian, or Ethiopian cuisine. Now you do, thanks to POV Restaurant’s international Chef’s Tastings dinner series.
Pier450, a restaurant and refurbished roadside-style motel on the point where the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac meet in Maryland, has been on my bucket list since before it opened a few years ago. What appeals? It seems so serene, located way the heck in the middle of nowhere in Southern Maryland (St. Mary’s County), perhaps one of the few parts of my small state I’d never managed to investigate when I was covering the regional travel beat, in the beginning of my career.
“Funky charm” — award winning travel writer/blogger Tim Ebner gives The Quarters at Pier450 a great mention in the Valentine’s Day podcast on City Cast DC.
Since its opening in 2020, POV Restaurant at Pier450 has become the destination dining spot for St. Mary’s County, Md. Chef Carlos’ crab balls are one of the reasons why. His elevated take on a Southern Maryland staple makes the perfect savory bite for any season, so they stay on the menu year-round.
When you’re looking to change it up, keep an eye out for their “Chef’s Tastings” dinner series as well. Chef Carlos takes diners on a culinary journey with themed dinners reflecting different cuisines around the world. Held biweekly on Sunday nights, these special menus range from three to five courses.
After a full day, it was time for dinner. You could easily spend your entire trip to St. Mary’s County just eating and drinking. I nearly did! I dined at Pier 450 POV Restaurant, a former fishing camp in Ridge, that is now a wildly popular resort-bar-beach-gift shop-restaurant honoring the local waterman heritage. The hush puppies here are everything good and right in the world. The chic complex includes Pier450 – The Quarters Motel, stylishly curated accommodations that really add to the posh Miami vibe!
Everyone who grew up in St. Mary’s County knows about Scheible’s fish camp. Built in 1946, this family-run fish camp and restaurant was a favorite for charter captains around the Bay for 50-plus years. So when Oklahoma-born, D.C. transplant Peggy Binzel decided to turn it into something else, she knew she needed to tread carefully, respecting the past while birthing a new concept. The result is Pier450, a mid-century style motel and restaurant with a cheeky feel that nods to its roots while offering something completely different.
“One of the most creatively appointed motel/restaurants you’ll likely ever encounter,” reads the website for Pier450 in Ridge, and the sentiment could not be truer. Fortunately, Southern Maryland residents don’t have to travel far to find this delightful pearl located at the southernmost tip of a beautiful rural countryside drive at the end of St. Mary’s County.
Cracking crabs by a dock. Sipping a cocktail while watching boats glide by. Is there anything that screams languid summer day more than eating and drinking with a water view?
In this region, we’re fortunate to have all sorts of waterfront on which to site a restaurant or bar—rivers, lakes, and of course the mighty Chesapeake Bay. So we’ve looked for every possible place, both in the immediate Washington area and within a two-and-a-half-hour drive of DC…
Pier450 in Southern Maryland Announces Addition of Offsite Catering Services
Arrival & Departure
Check in is at 3:00 p.m. and check out at 11:00 a.m. We guarantee your room will be ready by 3:00 on the day of your arrival. If you arrive early, you’re free to enjoy the property, including the restaurant (you'll find the restaurant/bar hours here), pier, beach and firepits. We will try to accommodate early check ins/late check outs within an hour of our stated times where possible — ask your guest services manager prior to your arrival/departure.
Reservations & Payments
We are a contactless motel — that is, there isn’t an onsite innkeeper to greet you or take payment information. To alleviate the need to repeatedly contact you for credit card information prior to your stay, 100% of your payment will be charged at the time you make your reservation. A confirmation letter will be sent when we receive payment. For other payment arrangements, please email or call us.
Advance reservations are required. There is no one onsite to accommodate walk-ins.
Cancellations
We are a very small motel and cancellations affect us significantly. As such, we need to adhere to a strict cancellation policy. Payments for single rooms are refundable if cancelled more than 10 days prior to your stay, minus a $25 processing fee. If your reservation is cancelled within 10 days of your arrival date, 50% of your fee will be forfeited.
Payments for groups booking more than three rooms are refundable if cancelled more than 30 days prior to your arrival date, minus a $50 processing fee. If your multi-room reservation is cancelled within 30 days of your arrival date, 50% of your fee will be forfeited.
Innkeeping Services
We don’t have a lobby with a front desk or an onsite concierge. That said, we do have lots of people whose jobs are to make sure you have fun and that your stay is as comfortable as possible. Your confirmation letter and subsequent communications will provide you with details for how to contact our guest services manager if you have questions or need assistance. We can also direct you to information about local attractions and resources.
In-Room & Onsite Food Preparation
A mini refrigerator with freezer and Keurig coffee maker are provided in each room. For safety and the comfort of other guests, other cooking appliances are not permitted in or outside of the motel, including grills. Several Keurig pods are provided each day of your stay.
Personal Belongings
To ensure everyone’s enjoyment of our small property and lovely views, we ask that you not leave personal belongings in front of the motel while you are in your room or away from the property, including, but not limited to, chairs, clothing, towels, beverage containers, etc. Trash cans are provided in your room and are placed throughout the property for your use.
Pets
We allow pets at The Quarters — with a few conditions:
Property Amenities
Guests of The Quarters at Pier450 may enjoy use of our beach, pier, beach firepits and kayaks. Use of these amenities is solely at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety.
Country Septic
It's a fact of life in the country: We are not on a municipal septic system. While we have installed a best-in-class system, these simply aren't designed for some things. Please flush only toilet paper — no wipes, towels, kleenex or sanitary products.
Fishing & Crabbing
Pier450 is a multifaceted resort with guests who enjoy the property in a variety of ways. To ensure the enjoyment of all, we have limited fishing or crabbing off the pier to guests of The Quarters ONLY, and only when the restaurant and/or outdoor bar are not open. "Leave no trace" — please make sure to clean up any remnants of your activities so they aren't unpleasant to other guests nor invite predators.
Off-hours fishing and crabbing are limited to our guests only and not to other friends or family. Outside visitors will be considered trespassers and will be asked to leave the property.
Photography
Our property guests are welcome to take personal photos during their stay. (In fact, we encourage you to share your positive experiences on social media — just don't forget to tag us! Facebook and Instagram.
Click here for information about staged or posed shoots.
Drugs & Firearms
We are a drug-free property. Anyone suspected of having, using or distributing illegal substances on the property will be asked to leave immediately. Firearms and weapons of any kind or not allowed on the property.
Occupancy
Room occupancy is limited to the number of beds available unless approved by management prior to your visit — that is, two people per double, queen or king-sized bed. Guests who do not adhere to this policy may be asked to leave. Booking fees will not be refunded.
Motel guests must be at least 25 years of age to book a room at The Quarters motel.
3-5 pm, 9-11 pm
Tuesday - Sunday
SUN | 10am-8pm Brunch available until 3:45pm | OPEN 'til 9pm |
MON | CLOSED | CLOSED |
TUES | 4-8pm: Light Fare + Comfort Food | OPEN 'til 9pm |
WED | 4-9pm | OPEN 'til 10pm |
THURS | 4-9pm | OPEN 'til 10pm |
FRI | 3-9pm | OPEN 'til 10pm |
SAT | 11am-9pm | OPEN 'til 11pm |
SUN | 10am-8pm Brunch available until 3:45pm | OPEN 'til 9pm |
MON | CLOSED | CLOSED |
TUES | 4-8pm: Light Fare + Comfort Food | OPEN 'til 9pm |
WED | 4-9pm | OPEN 'til 10pm |
THURS | 4-9pm | OPEN 'til 10pm |
FRI | 3-9pm | OPEN 'til 10pm |
SAT | 11am-9pm | OPEN 'til 11pm |