The Hummingbird Inn: Fabulous B&B In Easton, Maryland

Why Easton

Easton, Maryland, is a hidden gem with superb restaurants, mom and pop shops, walkable downtown streets, and the Avalon Theater. It’s no wonder those visiting the town of Easton want to stay a night or two, and the Hummingbird Inn is just the place. Offering six, expertly designed rooms for discrete travelers, you’re sure to find just the right fit. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, this inn is still walking distance to downtown.

Choose your room

The Hummingbird Inn (circa 1887) has six elegant rooms to choose from. Unlike some older inns from the Victorian era, the Hummingbird Inn is spotlessly clean and smells nice too. Four of the rooms are on the second floor and two additional ones on the third floor. All of the rooms are named after Eastern Shore towns. The Easton Room is one of the largest of the six options. Be sure and look at the wall of windows facing west bringing in lots of natural light, turning the room into blaze orange and crimson during sunset. A king bed is lavished with fluffy pillows and a comforter to snuggle into at night. Not that you came to Easton to watch TV, but there is a smallish version next to the bed if needed.

The Easton Room’s bathroom is equipped with a clawfoot tub/shower combination and even has a jar of bath salts for your use. The room’s central heating and air conditioning keeps the comfort level high in summer or winter. Speaking of winter; if you’re visiting when it’s cold outside, it’s good to know you have a fireplace ready at the flip of a switch to chase the chill away. For an older home, the Hummingbird Inn’s air conditioning works exceptionally well. During my stay in early October the temperature outside was nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit/37.77 Centigrade, while inside the room, the temperature was perfect.

One of the coolest rooms at the inn has to be the Tilghman Island room on the third floor. This choice refuge features a separate sitting area, sloped ceilings, arched windows, and a keyhole passage to the turret. Who wouldn’t want to sit in the tower and look out over the garden and neighborhood? The Tilghman Island room, like many of the choices, features a claw foot tub.

All of the rooms and common spaces in the inn are expertly decorated. Not just period furnishings, the inn has modern touches that blend in well with the Victorian atmosphere. The parlor area and other walls on the first floor bear local artwork that’s also for sale. An ample library of local and far-flung travel books invite the guest to kick back and read a bit if desired.

Don’t miss having some quality time on the front porch. Eric offers porch time, or in inclement weather, parlor time to unwind and have a glass of wine, beer, or water. Many guest reviews point out how much they enjoyed hanging out on the porch or in the parlor during their stay.

Your dog is welcome here

One of the best aspects of the Hummingbird Inn is the dog-friendly nature. Eric, the owner, owns a dog and welcomes dogs of all breeds by prior request. When making your reservation, be sure and ask Eric which room would be best for you and your pet. Eric also offers dog-sitting for 10 USD per hour by prior arrangements so you can go out to dinner without your dog from 3-10 p.m.

The yard out back is a suitable place to walk Fido or try one of the town parks. Easton is a dog-friendly town and has several shops and restaurants welcoming pooches with water bowls out front or on request. Many of the restaurants have outdoor patios that welcome well-behaved dogs.

Speaking of restaurants, you won’t need to venture out for breakfast since this is one of the best B&B breakfasts on the Eastern Shore. Guests choose menu items and time for breakfast the day before at check-in. A look at online review sites will reveal one of the favorite things previous guests rave about is the breakfast. Eric the owner told me “The breakfast menu changes daily. The selection includes many international options and new items are added throughout the year.”

Special events at Hummingbird Inn

The Hummingbird Inn is excellent for weddings, reunions, birthday, or receptions. The backyard garden is a flowery delight for a special event in spring and summer. Up to 100 people can be accommodated for an outdoor event, while 17 guests can stay overnight at the inn. If the inn doesn’t have quite enough space, Eric is happy to recommend lodging for your extra guests nearby.

What's in the area

Easton has some of the best dining on the entire Eastern Shore. Italian food is abundant at places like Piazza Italian Market (lunch), Scossa, and Portofino. For high-end fine dining, Bas Rouge is on the level with Washington DC’s best restaurants and serves lunch or dinner, just two days per week each. Next door to Bas Rouge, find Bumblebee Juice or Sunflowers and Greens for lunch. Healthy food options can be found at Sprout on North Aurora or indulge in one of several ice cream parlors in town. For lunch or dinner, Out of the Fire rates high in customer satisfaction with wood-fired pizza, great service, and an eclectic menu.

The Avalon Theater holds around 100 events per year with concerts and shows drawing a crowd. Nature lovers will enjoy the Pickering Creek Audubon Center for hiking and wildlife viewing. Idlewild Park is said to be the best park for kids in the state of Maryland. Lots of swings, climbing structures, and nooks thrill the young ones in your party. Picnic areas, ball fields, tennis courts, and historic homes make Easton a great place to hang out.