4-Star Hotels in Mathews County

Gwynn's Island Cottage is a modest waterfront cottage on the Chesapeake Bay with panoramic views and sunsets over the water. The small, private beach is entirely on the property and not shared. We are pet friendly. During the summer months, we rent weekly, Sunday to Sunday.The Cottage is located on quaint and historic Gwynn's Island with a public marina and terrific restaurant dining over the water 1/3 of a mile away. The Cottage sleeps 4 guests in 2 bedrooms. On your private beach, you can swim, kayak, paddle board, fish and crab, bird watch, float on a raft, enjoy a good book or an adult beverage. The Shed is full of everything you don't need to bring: beach chairs, 3 kayaks, bikes, a stand up paddleboard, zero gravity chairs, crab nets, crab pot, floats, rafts, noodles, children's beach toys, life vests, a croquet set, and hammock. Hills Bay is clean, shallow, and sandy-bottomed, with little current, so perfect for children and seafaring explorers alike. You can fish right from the beach or from kayaks. Guests catch drum, trout, rockfish, croaker, spot and flounder. The crab pot or the fishing nets allow guests to catch crabs when they are in season. After a quick rinse in the outdoor shower after your day on the beach or in the water, use the Weber kettle charcoal grill for cooking up the day’s catch or fresh seafood from a nearby market. Enjoy dinner al fresco on the deck overlooking the water as you watch that sunset... For cooler evenings, light a fire in the Bonfire Solo stove under the stars. With little light pollution, the night sky is often spectacular.From the Cottage, guests experience bird life such as bald eagles, blue herons, ospreys, seagulls, white tundra swans, bufflehead ducks, loons, plus dolphins in the warm months. Boat watching is plentiful with a yacht club just across the water, with boat action in and out of Hills Bay from the Chesapeake. Or bring your own boat. There's plenty of room on the long, circular driveway to trailer in and out. The island's public boat landing is 1/3 of a mile away, with parking for your trailer while you are on the water and a restaurant for provisions.The Cottage is pet-friendly! Four legged guests enjoy the beach with its shallow, clean water. We provide doggie towels. We own the small woods next door where dogs can "get their sniffs on." If you plan to bring your pet, just message the manager with the age, breed, gender, weight, and name of your animal/s. We charge a pet fee of $125 for all animals for your entire stay (less than kennels or pet sitters). They will enjoy being with you on vacay. Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, we rent weekly, Sunday to Sunday. Just a two-night minimum the rest of the year.We have a large capacity washer, dryer, and the laundry room has space to air dry. Our outdoor shower also has foot spigots. The Cottage has a 50" smart TV with cable and wifi. If you bring your electric/hybrid vehicle, we have an outdoor outlet (120v) for charging. The Cottage has a retro Frigidaire Mini-fridge that chills 6 cans of your favorite beverage and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. Take it outside to play your tunes on the beach or deck! The Cottage is perfect for special occasions or gatherings (with approval of management) because photos with a water view are ah-mazing. Please read the over 200 reviews from the Cottage's guests over our last 10 years of renting, with guests returning over and over again. Our positive reviews reflect the guest-centered experience that we try to provide, continually using our guests' suggestions to improve amenities. We are sorry but smoking is not permitted in the house or anywhere on our property.**Gwynn's Island Cottage is dedicated to welcoming all people regardless of their race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin or gender orientation.**About pets:Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 50 lbs per pet (limit 2 pets total).With advance ok of management and pet fee of $125.About checkOut:Check out before 11:00 AM.About children:Children allowed: ages 0-17.Small beach and shallow water are great for kids.About customRules:Please do not drive or park in the woods in back of the Shed. Our septic system is located there and it will cause serious damage..Guests' use of the kayaks, SUP, rafts, grill, solo stove, beach and the water is at your own risk. Use life vests and protective footwear.,Please do not use the Weber Grill or the Solo stove on the wood deck or stoop..About checkIn:Check in after 3:00 PM.About smoking:Smoking is not permitted.About minBookingAge:Minimum age to rent: 22.About events:Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings.Maximum event attendees: 30,Special events and parties with okay of management.