Boating World

Eastern Escape

Laid-back luxuries abound at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina.

by Sarah Pelot

January 9, 2007

The landscape of Maryland's Eastern Shore is filled with picturesque lighthouses, beautiful sunsets, winding rivers and forest wetlands. For centuries, this region of the Chesapeake Bay has been considered the quintessential American landscape. Today, this tradition of exploration and adventure is carried on at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina. As evidenced by its name, this premiere Mid-Atlantic resort offers just about anything a family needs for a getaway on the bay.

Guests arriving by boat benefit from one of the resort's focal points, the 150-slip River Marsh Marina. Slips range from 30 feet long and 16 feet wide to 80 feet long and 25 feet wide, and have available electricity, cable, wireless Internet and water hookup.

Golf The Hyatt Regency boasts an assortment of rooms. Amenities include dual-line telephones, T-Mobile Wi-Fi service, in-room safes, hair dryers, makeup mirrors, mini refrigerators, coffee makers, and premium cable TV with HBO, CNN and ESPN. There are 400  rooms, including 20 suites/parlors, 190 kings/queens and 190 double/doubles. 

In the Chesapeake Bay area, it's a must to feast on regional cuisine, and guests at the Hyatt enjoy various renditions of blue crab, rockfish, soft shell crab, blue pointe oysters, local produce and Eastern Shore desserts. The chefs aim to satisfy all guests with their creative menus, elegant dining and spectacular surroundings. Choose from restaurants such as the Blue Point Provision Co., which offers fresh regional seafood; Water's Edge Grill, which offers continental cuisine; Eagle's Nest Clubhouse and Grille, where light fare is served; Bay Country Market, a self-service general store that serves Starbucks gourmet coffees and pastries; and Dock's Poolside Bar for lunch, snacks and refreshing cocktails. Or, visit Michener's Library, the spectacular lobby-lounge combining a two-story glass wall bordered by stone fireplaces.

SpaRecreation is plentiful at the resort. Most notable is the River Marsh Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Keith Foster. Recreational golfers can play the River Marsh 9-hole miniature golf course. For non-golfers, there's a full-service fitness center, four lighted tennis courts, two game rooms, 10 indoor/outdoor fireplaces, two beaches with designated  swim areas, a fenced volleyball court, jogging/walking trails, three outdoor pools including a waterslide, children's pool  and infinity pool, and the year-round Wintergarden indoor pool and hot tub. After - or instead of  - a busy day of activities, guests can discover the decadence of Spa Hyatt's European Stillwater Spa, an 18,000-square-foot sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation.

MarinaWhether the interest is in activities, relaxation, or a combination of both, the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina is an all-inclusive resort that's sure to offer something to meet every guest's preference.

At A Glance 

LOCATION: The Hyatt Regency is located right off of US Route 50 in Maryland on the Eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay.  
PRICES: Hotel rooms range from around $169 to $439, depending on the season and the type of room. Dockage rates are $1.75 per foot Sunday through Thursday, and $3 per foot Friday and Saturday. Electric rates  start at $6 a night. Spa services start at around $65; a round of golf starts at $45.
FOR THE FAMILY: There's a nature watch at the Hyatt's very own wildlife refuge, the Blue Heron Rockery. For parents who want to enjoy quiet time alone, the kids can attend Camp Hyatt at Pirate's Cove, a fun-filled activities program held daily, where kids can make new friends and learn new skills.
CONTACT: 100 Heron Blvd. at Route 50, Cambridge, MD 21613; (410) 901-1234; http://chesapeakebay.hyatt.com.