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Testimonials

Vacation Rental Guestbook

Exclusive Private Estate on Bay - Beach, Pool, Dock

"Through the years, many of our previous Renters have written notes to us in our guestbook and now here on our website regarding their stay at our Chesapeake Bay Vacation Retreat. We would like to share some of their sweet and kind comments with you.

Thank you very much to everyone who took the time to send your thoughtful and kind testimonies about our Retreat to give future Renters tips on what there is to do to have fun during your stay!"

Marie Ransome

(September 26-29, 2024)   Beautiful location - Great weekend with the boys

Beautiful location and awesome host. No difficulty finding the property. Perfect for our group size (22), could have accommodated 6 more with ease. Plenty of single beds, that worked well for the boys in their fifties.

           Vipul

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(June 17-22, 2024)   RCR - an Idyllic Property

We had another incredibly lovely stay at the Retreat this year (our 3rd year) -- possibly the best weather we've ever gotten, wall-to-wall sunshine, clear moonlit nights. We already know we want to come back and reserve a date for next year. Thank you again for making such an idyllic property available!

           Andrew

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(June 14-17, 2024)   A peaceful Retreat to spend time with nature, family and friends!!

Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat was the PERFECT place to have my husband's Celebration of Life in June 2024. It was our second time staying here and we would love to rent it again in the future.

We had people ranging from their early 80's to 1 year old. Everyone had things to entertain them and to sleep comfortably in. The screen porch was perfect for setting up buffet meals for all.

The pool was great and we were spoiled with games, loads of towels, supplies of all types - soaps, linens, tennis and basketball, pickle ball and loads of folding tables and chairs for the memorial gathering.

The many refrigerators and washers and dryers and multiple spaces inside and out made it easy for gathering or spreading out. The teens loved playing pool, ping pong and hanging out in the evenings in the Fun House. We all hiked down to the seating by the Chesapeake for awesome sunsets each night. We even lucked out with perfect weather. We also brought kayaks and found it easy to put them in and out from the property.

This is a peaceful retreat to spend time with nature and family and friends.

Thanks for the memories!

           Janet W

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(May 24-27, 2024)   ALREADY BOOKED FOR 2025 - TO BE OUR 3RD STAY!

Our kayaking group stayed at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat Memorial Weekend of 2023 and enjoyed it so much that we put down a deposit to stay there in 2024, before the weekend was even over. Thirty-two of us kayakers were there this year. It was wonderful to paddle out of the property every day without having to transport our kayaks. It was so nice to come back and lounge around the pool and use the hot tub. The overly large screened-in porch was great for staying away from mosquitos, group dinners and our crab feast. At night we enjoyed the fire pit. I could go on and on. We've already put in our reservation for 2025, to be our 3rd stay at RCR!

           Cheryl Rose

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(Jan 26-28, 2024)   PERFECT SETTING FOR A YOGA RETREAT IN THE SUNSHINE (Even in January)!!

We had a wonderful retreat at Chesapeake Retreats! It was a great space for our group to gather, practice yoga and enjoy community.

The grounds are beautiful and it was the perfect setting to do yoga in the sunshine, next to the bay. And, the indoor space worked well for yoga when it was too cold to be outside. The scenic Eastern Shore was a lovely spot for our retreat.

           Michele Bickley, LoveLifeYoga.org

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(Oct 6-9, 2023)   The beauty of the location was a great background for lots of laughter!

Six years ago my friends from graduate school and our families gathered at Ransome Chesapeake Retreats for an incredible reunion weekend. Last weekend we returned with people ranging from age 9 to 55 and it was even more wonderful than I had remembered. The beauty of the location was a great background for long talks, lots of laughter and board games. We went for nice walks around the property and cooked many delicious meals in the well appointed kitchen. The kids enjoyed the pool and ping pong in the fun center (and some adults too!). Marie and Percy were wonderful hosts - answering all of our questions and giving clear guidelines. What a wonderful retreat!

           Julie

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(Aug 26-Sep 2, 2023)   A wonderful Eastern Shore experience!

Our group of 14 stayed at the delightful Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat for a family reunion the last week of August. There was easy access for some kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding in the surrounding waterways. Some other activities on the property included pickleball, cornhole, bocce, frisbee, hiking and flying drones. For relaxation, the pool with a view and the hot tub were a welcomed activity. The 3-sided screened in porch was where we spent much of our time in the morning and for evening meals. The sunsets are spectacular, especially from the 2nd level deck. We all took turns cooking and spent evenings playing board games or pool/ping pong in the Fun Center. The kitchen was very well equipped for our group with plenty of dishes, utensils and serving/cookware.

We made many great memories and would highly recommend!

           Thanks,   Dan

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(Aug 12-19, 2023)   Plenty of bathrooms, no waiting in line!

If you are looking for an "off the grid" vacation, this is your place! Our families had a wonderful week to spend time together without any distractions. (Only Two trips to Walmart) We used the Main House, Cottage and Fun Center to accommodate our large extended family group. Plenty of bathrooms, no waiting in line! Each of the buildings had a washer and dryer, making it easy to dry bathing suits and towels for the next day. Plenty of refrigerator space for all of our food and drinks! They have three grills to easily cook for a large crowd all at once.

We enjoyed the amazing pool. The kids brought pool floats and raced the length of the pool. (You know the adults joined, too!) We had plenty of chairs and lounge chairs on the pool deck. Tables with umbrellas too. We used the tennis courts to play pickleball. We played cornhole, card games and more. We brought our kayaks and fishing gear. We had fires with smores at night. Plenty of room to find a quiet corner to read.

           Jeanette

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(July 29 - Aug 05, 2023)   We enjoyed spending time together at this amazing estate!

We loved our week at Ransome Chesapeake Retreat. We had 25 people from my parents, who are 90 years old, to my great nephew, who just turned 2. We only left to buy groceries because we were enjoying spending time together at this amazing estate. There were sika deer and a few white tail deer on the property as well as more birds than we could identify. We brought our own paddle boards and kayaks and someone was always using them, as they paddled back and forth to the bay. The pool was wonderful and very clean. The kids loved playing on the tennis court. My 7 year old great nephew picked wild black raspberries (they were ripe and grow everywhere). He actually made a pie with them! It's hard to find a vacation destination for our big family but I think everyone had a beautiful and relaxing week.

           Patty Kruck

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(July 22-29, 2023)   The sun room and pool area was such a relaxing place!

Our group of 31 had an amazing time! The sun room and pool area was such a relaxing place to hang out and cool off all day. The water access was perfect, we enjoyed the beauty of the marsh and extensive waterways. Having 5 refrigerators and 4 sets of washers/dryers is great. The host and caretakers were very responsive and prompt in answering any questions throughout the week. We plan to return!

           Christina

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(July 15-22, 2023)   The owners were very helpful and responsive to any questions or issues that arose!

The property was great! The pool was a great amenity. A lot of open space and grass for kids to play. The tennis and basketball courts were a great addition with lots of equipment on hand. The houses were in good condition with lots of appliances and amenities on hand for use. The owners were very helpful and responsive to any questions or issues that arose and worked hard to help us in any ways we needed. It was a great experience and I would highly recommend the property.

           Zack

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(June 24-July 1, 2023)   A good choice for a family gathering with kids!

We spent a week at this quaint retreat with 17 of our kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. There was much to do, and plenty of space to do it! The kids flew kites, and we even had a talent show in the Fun Center! Grownups relaxed and enjoyed the pleasant surroundings. We took a couple of field trips, (the Harriet Tubman Park was a hit) but we spent most of the time at the pool! Lyndy's (not too far away) supplied reasonably priced crabs for our long-awaited feast.

A good choice for a family gathering with kids!

           Carol

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(June 14-18, 2023)   Another incredible visit at Ransome's Retreat on the Bay

Our group had another incredible visit to Ransome Retreat this year, in what is quickly becoming a yearly tradition. The large, expansive property allows everybody to mingle or find quiet space. We had 31 this year and it never felt cramped.

This year, we brought a whiteboard to plan our daily activities -- some people would be doing art on the lawn in the afternoon, others might be playing board games or cards in the main house, some groups would go on field trips to museums and other spots in the area, and a good chunk of people would just lounge by the pool and read or chat. On our last night, we even set up a karaoke show on the screened-in porch (my personal favorite feature of the house), which was an incredible send-off that let everybody show their personalities. We brought speakers with us for that setup.

The three kitchens (one in each house) make food organization much easier -- we had breakfast/snacks in the main house, dinners in the fun center, and drinks in the cottage. On most nights, we split into teams to cook dinners, but I'd also recommend getting take-out for a meal or two. We had pizza from Dominos and Crabs from a local crab shop one night, and we definitely plan to get a dinner from Emily's produce next year (amazing farm-stand/cafe/market you'll pass 20 minutes out from the property).

Thanks for an amazing stay as always!

           Andrew

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(May 18-21, 2023)   PLANNING TO RETURN!

Very quiet and many adventures and things to do. Fishing at the pond or bay area is so enjoyable! The owner is very friendly and polite. Planning to return for another 'retreat'!

           Lalbat

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(Apr 28-30, 2023)   5th Stay at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreats!!

We had a fantastic time again this year at Ransome Chesapeake Retreat -- our first trip back since the pandemic started. One thing I always appreciate about the beautiful retreat is the variety of spaces: there are plenty of different bedrooms, sitting areas, places to socialize, and -- very important for our singing group -- spots to break into small or large groups to rehearse. We've never been able to find a place in the DMV that allows us to rehearse and get to know each other in the same way. I always look forward to rehearsals on the screen porch, overlooking the water!

           Lily Roberts

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(Apr 14-16, 2023)   A get away weekend to simply enjoy being together & build relationships!

The Chesapeake Bay Retreat Center is situated in a beautiful & serene on-the-water setting in the environs of Cambridge, MD. The facility is ideal for fostering a singular concentration on the subject of any group's retreat or workshop, as there are no distractions and ample, comfortable accommodations.

The degree of individual privacy afforded by the facility was surprisingly good given our group size of 19. With three buildings and multiple bedrooms and areas, individuals could step away from group activities for a break when desired. We likewise appreciated that the number of separate beds allowed individual sleeping space. We enjoyed the large dining space that also served for fun evening gatherings after our day's work was done. Bathrooms and showers were adequate. Many of our group enjoyed walking the grounds for early exercise and relaxation.

Overall, our group was delighted to have an entire comfortable facility all to ourselves to concentrate on our project - a choral contest preparation - and to have fun social interaction with each other. We enjoyed the time immensely and felt that the facility contributed to our ability to bond more as a group. We would definitely recommend the Chesapeake Bay Retreat to any group that wants to immerse itself in a common purpose or simply get away together to build relationships.

There was a resounding YES from all members to return next year! Everyone enjoyed the weekend!

           The Chesapeake Harmony Chorus

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(Apr 6-9, 2023)   Tons of outdoor activities to keep the kids busy!

We had a wonderful time at the Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat. We had a group of 10 families with kids ranging from 8 month to 18 years old. The Retreat was massive and had tons of outdoor activities to keep the kids busy. The kids really enjoyed fishing in the pond, walking to the beach, digging for clams, playing tennis, basketball and soccer. Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed potluck in the (Fun Center) great room. Would love to go back again.

           Yue

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(Mar 31-Apr 3, 2023)   Endless possibilities for FUN at RCR!!

Beautiful spot for a group retreat! Our group rented the Ransome Retreat, for a weekend of learning and activities. There was plenty of space to spread out either in the Main house, Cottage, or the "Fun Center". In the "Fun Center" we were able to group the tables together for multiple craft activities. (of course we played pool and ping pong first).

In the Main house the gazebo was big enough for the whole group to eat together. So much to do; birding, hiking, biking ... the possibilities are endless. The lawn was perfect for a yoga class and to watch the sunset. Hot tub was lovely but didn't get to use the pool since we were there in March. Also just a short drive to Harriet Tubman Center and Blackwater Refuge.

We'll be back!

           Moira Abernethy
           Daughters of Rest (DOR)

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(Mar 16-28, 2023)   RCR for 6 years now - always look forward to yearly get-togethers with friends!

This magnificent water's edge get away is the perfect place to do whatever your heart desires. It has a lot to offer, especially if you like long walks, fishing, peace and quiet, and getting together with your family & friends. The rooms are plentiful and even has a game room to have a little fun in, in cooler seasons, inclement weather and anytime. I have been staying here every year for 6 years and always look forward to getting together again with all of my friends. Great times!

Thanks a million for the experience!

           Tim H.

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(Mar 16-28, 2023)   Comfortable beds at Ransome Retreat

A bunch of us guys stayed at the Ransome Retreat, again, this Spring and had a great time! They have everything you need to cook your own meals. The beds are comfortable which was good since we were out all day for long hours and needed some rest.

It's easy to get to restaurants in the area. We ate at a couple of very good ones. The Barbecue place in Cambridge was great-try the burnt ends. Also the restaurant in Taylor's Island was really friendly and had great food.

Can't wait to go again!

           Duncan

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(Mar 16-28, 2023)   Beautiful sunrises to start the day on a positive note!

I recently spent 10 days at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat. The beautiful sunrises made it easy to start the day on a positive note. And the sunset over the Chesapeake made the day complete. I've stayed there several times and in addition to the sunrises and sunsets, the facilities are comfortable and with a down home feel! I am planning to return soon.

           Ron Sharer

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(Nov 10-13, 2022)   The Fun Center - easily transformed into a place to dance!

This is a beautiful location for a family reunions or weddings like we did. The houses were cozy and welcoming, and plenty of space for people to sit and chat. The hot tub was a hit. The Fun Center was easily transformed into a rehearsal dinner space, a game room, and a dance club for our wedding after party. The hosts were communicative and positive. Definitely worth it and no one will forget the great time we had on the Chesapeake Bay.

           Erlina

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(Oct 7-9, 2022)   HAD A GREAT REUNION WEEKEND!

We stayed at the RCR property for a weekend retreat with long-time friends in October 2022. The property was perfect for our needs as we enjoyed the porch, firepit, grills, and Fun Center. I would highly recommend it for any group and look forward to coming back again!

           Kevin

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(Sept 8, 2022)   UNFORGETABLE SUNSET!!

We had an awesome experience. The sunset from the second floor deck was unforgettable. We played tons of sports and games on the tennis court. We played frisbee in the yard. We were in and out of the pool and hot tub all weekend. The kitchen offered everything you need to host a large group. All around fantastic location for a reunion or large group get together.

           Charlie

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(Sept 2-5, 2022)   Great Property

The property was exactly as advertised and very spacious. The hosts had great communication. We even accidentally caused some damage to the fire pit and they were very understanding, worked with us to get it resolved. Would highly recommend! We had a great time!

           Alex

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(Aug 27-30, 2022)   Mother's 70th birthday

We had a great time, all ages were happy. From the game room to the pool to the tennis/basketball court it was well worth it. Area is secluded which was perfect for our noisy group. Main house, cottage and fun center was utilized. Everyone already planning for next year... needless to say my mother had a great time. Thank you Mrs. Ransome

           Yolanda

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(July 31-Aug 6, 2022)   Our family had a wonderful stay

Our family, 3 generations, had a wonderful stay at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat in Church Creek! The accommodations are not real fancy, but they are clean and roomy, which make it perfect for a big informal family gathering. There was something for everyone to do, from the oldest (age 67) to the youngest (age 2), and I'm pretty sure we made use of every inch of this lovely spot. The pool was the absolute favorite for the younger kids. The middle kids, teens and their parents played tennis, roller bladed, biked, kayaked, fished, and sailed, all right from the property! The sunsets were glorious, and we were treated to a gigantic storm on our last night there which we watched as it approached us from our vantage point on the bay. Several of us also explored the historic areas nearby.

The Ransome property and their owners are just wonderful in every way. We highly recommend it for your own family vacation!

           Toni

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(June 25-July 2, 2022)   What a great getaway!

What a great getaway! Our childhood friend group has been getting together for vacation in various places over the last twenty years. This is the first vacation spot that everyone wants to come back to! There's a Fun Center for the kids to play pool, ping pong, do puzzles, and watch movies. The Main House has a great big round table perfect for card games each night. Lots of things to do outside during the day. We walked, swam, rode bikes, kayaked through the canals out to the bay, fished, played tennis and did some bird watching!

We thank Marie and Percy for sharing this gem of a vacation home with us!!!

           Becky

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(June 15-19, 2022)   Amazing Time at Ransome Retreat

We had an amazing time at Ransome Retreat with 25 adults. It's one of the best group trips we've ever been on, and we are all already excited to do it again next year. Our group spread out amongst all three buildings and the RV, and there was always a ton to explore and enjoy.

The compound is expansive and ends up feeling like you've rented a tiny little village. There might be one group hanging out by the pool, another watching a movie on the screened-in porch (we brought our own screen and projector), another playing a board game in the great room, another doing arts and crafts in the fun center, and another just having drinks and relaxing in the cottage. There were outdoor tables and chairs outside of each building, and we ended up gathering at all of them at one point or another. The buildings are connected via sidewalks, so you can just meander between them until you find the activity you want to settle on.

The pool was a perfect temperature and well maintained, and the same goes for the hot tub. Make sure you plug in the lights around the pool when the sun starts to set -- it makes the whole area feel all the more magical. Having the tennis court was another huge added bonus -- make sure you bring your own rackets and balls.

There were more than enough bedrooms and bathrooms for everybody, and nobody really ever had to wait for a shower. Having kitchens in all three buildings helped as well: we ended up designating one for breakfast/snacks, one for dinners, and one for drinks. They've got a lot of cookware amongst the three houses, though I recommend you bring your own if you want something specific.

Marie is a great communicator, and was always responsive to texts and calls when we had questions. She was very accommodating with our desire to rent a Pontoon boot from nearby Slaughter Creek Marina, and I worked with her and her husband Percy to figure out the best way to bring the boat in and dock it.

We can't wait to come back next year!

           Andrew

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(May 20-23, 2022)   Most Incredible Weekend

Our group had the most incredible weekend. The weather was perfect at the end of May, and the views are unmatched. The property is very well maintained, and more than enough room for our group of 24. The pool and hot tub were both clean as well. We can't wait to come back!

           Jason

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(Nov 24-28, 2021)   What a wonderful time we are having

Marie, I wanted to send a quick note in the flurry of family time here at RCR to tell you what a wonderful time we are having in your beautiful homes on the Chesapeake. Please tell Percy again thank you for his visit (checking in on us).

Susan just gave her talk (on the area's history on the Bay) & she was 'icing on the cake!'. Everyone, 22 months to 78 years, learned new things & stayed focused w/her delightful energy & her interesting facts. Thank you for this gift. (Please note: we offer this to all of our Renters)

Today we are eating leftovers after a wonderful feast of Thanksgiving! We have a lot to be thankful for each day.

           SueAnn

(Apr 30-May 2, 2021)   Great Bayside Stay

This was the perfect property for our group (guys only - who wanted to relax & catch up after a year of being inside!) The house was well kept & prepared and the grounds were truly stunning. The hosts were great. Check-in and communication couldn't be easier and we had a wonderful time!

           Josh

(Sep 25-28, 2020)   Beautiful Sunsets for our Wedding Celebration!

RCR was the perfect place to have our wedding! The spacious Retreat accommodated all of our family and wedding party, as well. Being there ahead of time was perfect so we could set everything up in preparation for our wedding celebration! Then that extra day gave us time for my wife and I to relax & enjoy having a night to ourselves. The views of the sunsets were great!

           Diana & Morgan

(Aug 8-12, 2020)   Privacy & NO concern about neighbors or being too noisy - the BEST part!!

Thank you for such a wonderful time! We were looking for a nice place which would have all of the amenities while keeping us safe during this pandemic and this was the perfect place. We planned a mini family reunion and we were all very careful about staying in quarentine a couple of weeks before we got there. Once we got to Marie & Percy's wonderful retreat, it was awesome!! It had everything we wanted and more! The pool was amazing, the accomodations just fantastic. Everything was clean and neat! The privacy was the best part! Not having to worry about neighbors and being quiet was the best!!!! We loved it so much we want to go back with or without pandemic.

Thank you, Marie, for your outstanding service! You have a hidden treasure for sure and look forward to going back!

           Marjorie

(July 25-Aug 1, 2020)   Needed normalcy provided from the Virus

Our group was blessed with a week's respite at your peaceful RCR Retreat. We decided to quarantine prior to arriving so we could have a week of 'normalcies', which RCR helped to provide. We enjoyed the Chesapeake - kayaking & paddle boarding, playing ball in the expansive yard, biking to Hooper's Island & exploring Cambridge. The Fun Center entertained the kids & we now have a couple of billiards sharks. We plan to recommend RCR to our friends!

           Takashi

(July 24-Aug 1, 2020)   Great place to have some old fashioned fun away from the electronic world

Four families got together over what we called "Corona Chesapeake Camp" to escape the confines of Philadelphia. Who could've imagined a week of playing the extensive gaming options at Ransome's - basketball, ping pong, poker, Monopoly, pool & tennis. We split up into teams and played games against each other. The winning team had the most points in each category! Lots of FUN! We highly recommend bringing or renting bikes and kayaks/paddleboards from the local boating company. Each night we enjoyed a family cooked meal in the screened in porch - plenty of room for 8 adults around the picnic table and the 10 kids at their own table. The pool is a delightful temperature and the basketball hoop made for lots of games.

The layout makes for plenty of separate time for adults and kids while coming together for meals. We so appreciated all the puzzles and board games - this is truly a place to have some old fashioned fun away from the electronic world. Highly recommend a group vacation here.

           Nadia

(July 11-18, 2020)   We could have stayed the whole summer!

Our group of 16 rented Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat for a week this July, 2020... and wanted to stay until September! Between the pool, hot tub, bay access (we rented kayaks from a local company), grills, and room to run around and play, we literally never left the property. The kids split their time between the pool and the incredible Entertainment Center, and the adults were able to lounge on the screened-in porch enjoying the view and the beautiful breeze. The kitchen was stocked with everything you need, as were the many bedrooms and bathrooms. Marie and company were extremely attentive and came right out to help whenever we had questions or issues.

Highly recommend RCR for families and large groups. We cannot wait to go back!

           Robin

(June 27-July 3, 2020)   No worries about noise level! YAY!

With a large family of adults and children, we loved the expansive land, the pool, and the slip to launch our kayaks. We didn't need to worry about our noise level and late nights. We often walked to the water's edge to watch the beautiful sunsets. The extra-large screened in porch, right alongside the pool, was a wonderful space for gathering to watch the kids in the pool, play cards in the evening and simply enjoy being together. And the Fun Center was yet another great space for everyone to play games, share meals, and have lots of family fun.

Marie, our family had a wonderful time! Having not been able to spend much time together in the previous few months, it was a very welcome and memorable vacation for us. Thank you!

           Kathy

(June 6-18, 2020)   Needed to get away, while working remotely & give the kids plenty of room & activities to keep them busy!

Our group enjoyed our time at RCR retreat. The Retreat was perfect for our needs. Our families were needing a place to get away, while working remotely, and giving the kids plenty of room & activities to keep them busy. It's nice that the retreat has 3 separate homes/buildings so we could spread out & have places to work. Overall the kids had a blast and will always remember this trip!

Thanks!

           Jenne

(Apr 2-23, 2020)   The 3 homes on the property are an incredible asset to easily spread out!

Our family spent nearly a month at RCR during this early Spring. Our time at RCR will always be precious to us, and will live forever in our collective, family memories. Being able to be in such an incredible nature reserve was mind-blowing. We felt, for all the world, as if we were on some kind of amazing safari. Every day, we had the opportunity to take long walks on the beautiful walking trails that criss cross the property, watching as Spring slowly came to the land.

The three-building configuration (Main House, Cottage, and Fun House) was an incredible asset for our long-term stay. It gave us the feeling of being a small, happy village on the edge of the world. People could easily spread out and get space, while also easily coming together. The sight of large ships slowly making their way up and down the Chesapeake was a welcome sight during mealtimes. We cannot wait to go back to RCR and a part of our hearts will always live there with the beautiful landscape, birds, and sparkling waters!

           Heather

(Jan 16-20, 2020)   Blessed by the Beauty of the Bay

It was our first time staying on the Chesapeake for our annual friends and family get-together. We were blown away by the beauty of the area. The houses and property were beautiful and we enjoyed the view from the hot tub on the back porch. We were able to have our bigger group events in the fun center, while keeping the main house for our group meals and the smaller cottage for those that had to work during the day. The property fit all our needs!

Management was super respectful and quick to answer any questions. You can tell they care deeply about the property and those who decide to stay there. Highly recommend the place for those looking to get away and enjoy time with their friends!

           Jeremiah McClure

(Dec 27-30, 2019)   RCR - TOP NOTCH SHAPE

This is our 3rd return to RCR & it is our favorite place to stay. Our church folks are looking forward to our future stay to have fun in the Fun Center!!

Again and again, thank you for keeping this place in top notch shape. I can't thank you enough.

           Rev Michael

(Aug 22-Aug 25, 2019)   Bachelor Party

I recently booked RCR estate for a bachelor party. The experience delivered all the privacy, peace & serenity requested by the groom. The whole group was blown away by the location! During the day, we enjoyed relaxing by the pool, playing baseball, grilling & enjoying the natural beauty that surrounded us. The majority of us reside in major metropolitan areas in the Mid-Atlantic region - NJ, NYC, DC. Baltimore & Philly - so at night, we spent a good amount of time outside enjoying the cool Bay breeze & admiring the night sky, free from light pollution. I dealt directly w/Marie & she was wonderful, very accommodating & accessible.

RCR would be the perfect place for a retreat or a weekend getaway w/friends. The surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for all of life's most memorable events & I would certainly recommend it to those considering a wedding venue. I look forward to my next trip to RCR retreat!

           Ryan

(June 29-July 6, 2019)   GREAT LOCATION & MORE!

The property was perfect for our family of 30. The layout in the main house is wonderful as the hallway leading to the bedrooms from the living area has a door on it and you can't hear any of the late evening frolics. The screened porch between the house and pool was also perfect. And the pool was great. The other houses were also very accommodating. The location is very private and quiet and safe for everyone. We would highly recommend this vacation home.

           Gary

(June 16-21, 2019)   A BOOMERANG VACATION!!

Thank you to Marie & Percy for their hospitality and kindness that they have shown us the last two years while arranging our stay at their beautiful property. This was our second stay but it is not our last. What a great place (the layout is perfect) to spend time with family. There's enough space to have everyone together and for privacy to attend to their own needs. We added kayaks this year and loved exploring the channels around the property. We took so many pictures of the wild life and sunsets.

We also added this year a Murder Mystery Night. The theme was a wedding reception with a murder in the pool house. The main house was the perfect setting. We added a few wedding decorations reception hors d'oervs and were all in costumes. We really had a blast and so many laughs. The weather even cooperated by having a thunderstorm roll in with a flash and clap just as the "detective" was announcing the murder and again at the confession. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Marie and Percy arranged the storm for us! We were planning our next stay while still there. We love our stays and will continue to go back."

So much to see and do. We never left the site except to go to Blackwater Refuge. Perfect way to relax and have fun with family. It's a boomerang place for a vacation. You just keep returning.

           Terry

(June 21-24, 2019)   RCR Wedding Venue IMPRESSIVE!!

We had our wedding here, and it was perfect! Both sides of our family stayed here with us for the weekend. Although there was a lot of preparation (with lots of help from both sides of our family), no one was too busy to relax and enjoy the bay. The adults explored the ins and outs of the waterways via kayak. The kids loved the pool, and everyone loved the hot tub. Many of us also took bike rides down the long romantic lane. Everyone was very impressed with our venue, including us! The bay views are even better in person; pictures really don't do it justice.

And to top it off, Marie and Perce were beyond amazing. Sweet, attentive(the good kind), and helpful. We seriously couldn't have asked for better hosts. When Marie found out we wanted to get married there, right off the bat, she sent me vendor lists from previous brides. That was such a relief as I live in Nevada and wouldn't be physically in the area until the wedding. My work was almost done for me! She also kept good communication and responded quickly to my questions. When our weekend came, Perce drove from another state just to be close by in case anything went wrong during our wedding, which nothing did. He also went out of his way and made an unexpected purchase to make sure my family was comfortable with the air conditioning. From a separate and very different rental experience, we learned the hard way that negligent hosts can ruin even the most beautiful rental.

Marie and Perce, Your hospitality is invaluable. Many wonderful memories are created on your beautiful property! Thank you so much!

           Kelly

(June 2019)   Looking forward to our upcoming 2nd stay at RCR

Hi Marie, We are very excited (about coming back to RCR next week)! We have a few new family members who didn't get to come last year (with us) who are very excited (to make it this year). I have given so many people your info. I hope you hear from some of them. Just don't give them our week!! (Lol!)

This year we are going to a have murder mystery party one of the nights. The theme is a wedding. Your place is perfect to help with the atmosphere. I'm certainly packing lighter this year after seeing how well stocked your home is with so many little things. We look forward to coming...."

Many thanks and blessings to your family.

           Terry

(Apr 26-May 2, 2019)   2nd stay at Chesapeake Retreats

Our group just returned from our 2nd stay at Chesapeake Retreats, which is becoming an annual gathering. We had a blast, enjoying family & friends having a good time together. We especially enjoyed the Fun Center where we had friendly competition playing pool & ping pong.

Marie & Percy offered a local historian, Susan, to speak to our group & we finally took them up on it. Susan's presentation on the history of the local people and the Chesapeake was excellent; Her family has lived in the area for many generations & owns the 'store' where Harriet Tubman was accidentally hit in the head with a disc by a slave owner meant for his slave. She made it all extremely interesting & informative!

Thank you, Marie & Perce! See you next year

           Tim & company

(Oct 12-14, 2018)   thankful to have found RCR retreat!!

Hello Marie! I just wanted to report in that our group had yet another beautiful and productive retreat this weekend at RCR. Every time we visit, we remember how lucky we were to find your beautiful property. This year, in honor of Halloween coming up, we even staged a murder mystery party! Great fun!!

In spite of all the rainy weather prior to our arrival, the weather during our stay was beautiful. We hope to be back in Spring, 2019!

           Lily

(Aug 31 - Sep 3, 2018)   Best Family Day vacation ever!!

I highly recommend Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat for family vacations. All 25 of us (8 couples, 5 singles and/or teens, 3 kindergarten/first graders and an infant) checked in Friday, August 31st. We all came from either Lower Eastern Shore or Washington DC area so it was a perfect meet between! The views are spectacular! Clean, well maintained buildings. Decorated to make you feel at home. Sleeping possibilities everywhere! The amount of bedrooms and how they are situated is perfect for our family.

Friday we had crabs on the screened in deck. Inside the main house the gas range is high-end and that's where we did most of our cooking. We just set up a long folding table in the kitchen and there was plenty of room to serve buffet style meals. The Great Room in the main house accommodated us all as well, as we sat around and ate. We were able to hook up a hard drive full of movies to the back of the TV in the great room and we had movie-night there as well. The teens and kids and grandparents swam together in the pool, having a ball while others danced or enjoyed the hot tub on the screened-in deck, all the while blasting our music with no neighbors to disturb. Absolute seclusion!

The Fun Center was set up very nicely as well. The guys enjoyed playing pool together there, but since the old folks were in the main house, that's where we always ended up gathering. The Fun Center is well set up for it though. The grandfather bought and presented the two 6 year-old boys with their first fishing poles and tackle boxes and gave them their first lesson on how to fish. Making unforgettable memories, as one of them caught their first fish!! We caught crabs in the crab pot but let them go since we had already had our crab-feast the first day we arrived. Fun 24/7 is what it all was! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and intend to make it a regimen for our annual Family Day going forward. I highly recommend this retreat!

           Blanch & family

(Jun 30-Jul 7, 2018)   Great Family Reunion - Strongly recommend RCR

Great place for a family reunion. The property is located in a choice spot and well maintained. Pleasant dealings with the landlord. My family had a great time and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

           Fran M.

(June 20-23, 2018)   Beautiful Property with TONS of space

This property was beautiful with tons of space for our extended family. Our only complaint would be that we wished we could have stayed longer!! Thank you Marie!!

           Erin K.

(June 7-10, 2018)   GREAT TIME! GORGEOUS SETTING!! ADDED BONUS: NO MOSQUITOES!!

Wonderful time for our 35th annual family reunion! The setting was gorgeous and a great time was had by all. The kids especially liked the pool and renting kayaks.

We also very much enjoyed the talk by Susan, a local historian which was a 'gift' from Marie & Percy. If you choose to rent RCR, you really should make an appointment ahead of time to hear Susan's excellent 1 hour presentation on local history, including the Underground Railroad-Harriet Tubman!

As an added bonus, there were no mosquitoes.

Thank you for your hospitality!

           Tracy

(May 24-28, 2018)   ABOVE EXPECTATIONS!!

Thank you for an incredible vacation spot. All the families loved it and the kids looked forward to it for over a year and it was still above their expectations.

Definitely many memories were made on the Chesapeake! Plans to return are looking good!

           Brad

(May 18-21, 2018)   AMAZING BACKDROP FOR OUR WEDDING CELEBRATION AND PHOTOS!

We highly recommend Ransome's estate if you want to have your wedding celebration right next to the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, offering an amazing backdrop for your wedding ceremony & photos!! We loved working closely with Percy and Marie, who not only have a fabulous property but Marie supplied us with excellent local recommendations for everything needed for a DIY wedding. Communication with Marie and Percy was direct and easy, and they are available and ready to help with anything you need to have the perfect day.

Ransome's is very rural and private. We were able to comfortably host 40 people overnight in the 10 bedrooms plus loft area in the Fun Center and 100 people for the actual wedding. There is so much space, no one felt crowded. It has been an extremely rainy Spring! But we were fortunate that the rain held off & didn't 'rain on our parade/ceremony', as they say, altho it did rain a bit during our stay. Everyone took advantage of all the amenities including the pool, hot tub, tennis court, fishing, lawn games, and nature watching. We rented kayaks and were able to access all the creeks, channels, and bay easily. This really added to the experience. To future brides & grooms, if you want to have the best wedding anyone has ever been to, even with a few raindrops, choose Ransome's! We're glad we did!!

We were pleasantly surprised to receive a special gift from Marie & Percy, Percy took pictures at our wedding, put them on a CD & immediately sent them to us! We are really thankful to get them shortly after our wedding, while we are still waiting for photos from our photographer! Thank you, Percy & Marie!

           Alycia & Blake

(Apr 21-26, 2018)   Perfect fit for our Club's annual Retreat

Thank you for the wonderful time that my club and I had at Ransome Retreats. The property, and the house felt like we were right at home. The scenery on the miles of trails was absolutely breath taking on our walks. It was amazing how much wildlife there was everywhere you looked. The accomodations offered more than enough room for everyone in our club, with plenty of room to spare.

As a club, we rarely get the opportunity to spend any time interacting with one another for more than a couple hours per month. The Fun Center's recreation room was a good place to play games and talk about the day's activities or our own lives. We are all looking forward to visiting again in the near future, and wish you the best. Thanks again!

           Tim H.

(April 6-8, 2018)   Can't wait to Return for our 2nd annual retreat!!

We have been doing annual retreats for many years now. After our 1st retreat at your beautiful RCR estate in April, I asked everyone if they wanted to return to your place next year or go back to the beach homes we had rented in previous years. It was unanimous. Everyone wants to return to your amazing retreat! We loved your homes, the awesome views of the water and the privacy that your location provides.

Marie, I also appreciated how gracious and easy it was to work with you. It was obvious from the beginning that you really wanted us to enjoy our stay & that you care about the people you rent your property to. You couldn't have been any nicer. Thank you! We'll be back for our 2nd retreat at RCR; looking forward to returning for more fun!

           Tom

(Mar 21-28, 2018)   SPECTACULAR SUNRISES!!

Thank you for the wonderful week that we spent at the Retreat. We really enjoyed meeting the owners, Percy & Marie. The sunrises and views from the main house were spectacular , and the evenings were cozy in the common areas, We liked having our own space too, in our room, which gave us quiet and privacy, but still close to the common areas. We especially enjoyed the different wildlife and the outdoors. Thank you again for making our trip to Maryland very special.

           Ron & Bev

(Mar 16, 2018)   Great Getaway!

Our group had a great time at this property. Marie, the owner, was extremely responsive and answered all my questions right away.

The property was exactly as pictured, was clean and perfect for our group. There was plenty of room inside, plenty of outside space and all amenities matched their profile.

We would rent this property again. Thank you.

           Scott H.

(Jan 12-15, 2018)   WOMEN'S CORPORATE RETREAT!!

I gathered our business leaders who traveled from many states to meet for a weekend of celebrating our successes & planning where we're headed in 2018 & on. We set up tables provided by RCR for our meetings & meals in the Fun Center. There was plenty of room for all events. It was winter outside but cozy & comfortable inside while we worked on team building & played ping-pong & billiards during free time. Great time! Our weekend retreat/workshop was successful & perfect! Thank you for providing an ideal location!

           Jane

(Nov 2-5, 2017)   Easy drive from Baltimore/DC & not too far from NY & Philly

This property is in a gorgeous, secluded setting, with beautiful Chesapeake Bay views and birds everywhere. It's an easy drive from Baltimore/DC and not too far from NY and Philly. The three buildings are not fancy, but relaxed and very functional. There are tons of beds and bathrooms, 5 fridges, gas grills, etc.

It was the perfect place for about 40 adults and kids to get together after not having seen each other for years. The kids loved playing pool and ping pong in the fun center, playing soccer and other sports on the large lawn, and relaxing in the hot tub. The adults enjoyed sitting in the very large screened porch and talking walks around the property. Highly recommended for groups!

           Gina L.

(Oct 6-9, 2017)   Second Young Adult Church group stay @ Retreat - SUPERB!!

This was our second trip to Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat. As with our prior experience, we had a SUPERB time! The setting was absolutely perfect for our getaway. Marie was a joy to work with and helped make us feel as though we were staying at a friend's home, rather than a rental property.

The facilities provided ample space for our group to spread out, as well as, large enough areas, such as the Fun Center's game room, for us to gather together as a large group. The young people particularly enjoyed taking walks around the property and enjoying God's creation, playing pool in the fun center and throwing our Frisbees around the grounds. The kitchen was adequately stocked and had everything we needed to cook for our large group. The beds were comfortable and suited our group perfectly.

You might find another location, but I can't imagine you would find a more beautiful and serene place. If you are looking for a luxurious mansion with a butler and turn-down service, this isn't the place. But if you are looking for a beautiful setting, comfortable, clean accommodations, wonderful owners, and the perfect place to get away and be with friends and family, then this is it! We will, without a doubt, be returning to Ransome's Retreat again in the future for a 3rd stay!

           Joe

(Sep 22-25, 2017)   AN AMAZING VIEW, ESPECIALLY FOR A WEDDING!!

The Ransome Estate is a wonderful place to have a wedding. Marie Ransome was very helpful with any questions I had, and was quick to respond. She was also able to make some vendor suggestions from previous brides. We ended up choosing a DJ based off those suggestions, and could not have been happier with him. Many of our guests took his card. We invited both of our families, and the bridal party to stay with us for the weekend. Since there are 3 homes, each family and the bridal party had their own area. This allowed for privacy while still including everyone in the happenings. Being on location also took a lot of the stress out of a very stressful and busy day.

We rented a tent and restroom trailer for our big day, and had no issues with either. Since most tents are delivered on Friday for a Saturday wedding, we were able to have our rehearsal dinner underneath it. However, the Fun Center could probably accommodate a dinner for at least 30+ people. Speaking of the Fun Center, the ping pong table and pool table were huge hits, and allowed for some down time before and after the wedding. The groomsmen mostly gathered there. The pool was amazing, and the hot tub is the biggest one I've ever seen, and we always make sure a rental house has one when we vacation. There is a kitchen in each house, which was very helpful for so many people. The coffee pots were used frequently. Our family friend, who is a chef, was able to cook our rehearsal dinner and breakfast the next day in the kitchen.

The biggest perk to the estate, however, is the amazing view. Our pictures (even ones captured on phones) were out of this world beautiful. The day after our wedding, I am pretty sure all our guests changed their profile pictures to them with the view in the background. We were asked repeatedly more about the location and we overheard many people discussing planning a family vacation at the estate. I wish we could go back to this day, because everything was perfect. I fell in love with this estate a few years ago while I was scrolling online, and am still in love with it today.

           Samantha Prince

(Sep 14-17, 2017)   Enjoyed new addition of long screened-in porch on our Return Stay at Retreat

We returned to RCR retreat for a 2nd stay! Our church group loved the beautiful sunrise & sunset each day of our stay! The wondrous views brought us closer in communion w/our Creator!

Everyone especially enjoyed the new enlarged screened-in porch off the Main House, giving us front row seats to the majestic Bay views, mind calming - breathtaking! where the Bay breezes pass thru!! It's a great spot to sip morning coffee, anytime actually! Thank you, again, Marie & Percy, for sharing God's country with us once more. We'll be back!

           Stan

(Sep 8-11, 2017)   CAN'T FIND A MORE GORGEOUS WEDDING LOCATION!!

We loved having our wedding at RCR & very much enjoyed our stay. The grounds were beautiful and we loved having all our close family and friends together to celebrate for the entire weekend. Even though it is expensive to rent a large estate/retreat, we ended up spending less than if we had done a hotel wedding and we had a lot more time to enjoy everyone. We were able to save money on catering and alcohol by not being forced to use a specific contractor. Everyone we worked with at RCR was very helpful and responded quickly to any questions. You could not find a more gorgeous location to get married!

           Jennifer Stewart

(Aug 31-Sept 4, 2017)   A wedding celebration w/Family & Friends together from around the world

I knew I wanted to make my wedding a weekend-long, nature filled event and Ransome's was the perfect candidate! We brought kayaks and enjoyed the winding waterways, hung by the pool and had lawn games and played on the tennis courts.

The 4 houses held our bridal party and friends (37 people) comfortably and allowed us to reunite with friends from all over the world. Unfortunately it rained on our wedding day but with a tent, it wasn't a problem and we still got the 'nature feel' like I wanted. It was great to not be quickly ushered out of a venue at the end of the party and were able to spend more time with guests the following day.

Marie and Percy were super accommodating and helpful, and I would highly recommend their beautiful property for a wedding or event. It's such a laid back and natural atmosphere!

We've gotten a lot of compliments from guests who had a great time! Zach and I are already planning a reunion/anniversary trip back at your property.

Also, thanks so much to Percy for sending his photos!! We have to wait a while for our photographer's so it was really cool to get to see some so quickly. That was such a nice addition to the whole experience with you guys! Thanks for everything.

           Casey S.

(Aug 5-12, 2017)   Private, Quiet & Serene Setting

What we liked most about RCR retreat was the privacy provided by the isolated location and not being surrounded by a lot of other houses and people. We liked the quiet, serene setting and view of the Chesapeake Bay. And of course the kids loved the Fun Center!

           Barbara

(Jul 29-Aug 5, 2017)   BEST VACATION SO FAR!!

We had a family reunion week at Ransome's and it is a great venue for that kind of event. Lots of space for individual families for privacy and at the same time good shared spaces, including a large loft in the Fun Center that the children enjoyed for a group sleepover. The screened in porch in the main house picks up cross breezes and is right next to the pool. Being on the Chesapeake is awesome and if you rent kayaks or bring any kind of boat, the venue provides for hours / days of exploration. The eagles!! The property is secluded and gives such an expansive, relaxing feeling. Sunsets are breathtaking.

The hosts and caretaker are easy-to-reach and responsive to anything that comes up. If you are looking for a nature-oriented place for a group of people, we highly recommend it. Our family was excited to hear that we are already booked to return back again next year, 2018. Several of our children and/or their partners said it's the "best vacation so far" as we were leaving, and that was nice for me to hear. Looking forward to more adventures on your property!

           Pat McKenzie

(Jul 22-29, 2017)   3 Generations having Family Fun at the Bay Retreat!!

How did our 30-member family do at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreats? Well, there were frisbees, softballs, and footballs in the air, several kayaks in the inlet, lots of swimmers in the pool, many conversations (going at once) in the screened-in porch, and youngsters and old-timers inside working on a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle. And yet there was much-needed quiet time, as well. The only traffic was the crabbers working their lines and the distant freighters chugging up and down the bay. At the end of each day, we all gathered in the Fun Center for the evening meal.

The early-to-bed, early-to-rise group was housed in the Main House while the younger ones were "down the road apiece" in the Fun Center - hence NO disturbances. If it's true that time flies when you're having fun, then we must have had a great time because Saturday morning arrived much too soon.

           Bill Shook

(Jul 8-15, 2017)   PERFECT FAMILY REUNION VENUE

We held our every-three-years family reunion at the Retreat on July 8-15, and it was the perfect place to bring us all together. We came from all over the country, 35 of us at the peak, and there not only was room for everyone, but we all could find the right spot to sit, talk, swim, canoe (we brought our own) or play at any given moment. We enjoyed the pool, the beautiful sunsets, the chance to sit and reconnect on the screened-in porch, for the kids to play pool, and the space to be as together or not as we wanted over the course of the week. We cooked most of our meals, but also recommend Catering by Jamie, who took great care of us on two nights and was more than willing to drive out to our secluded spot right on the water.

Thanks to Marie and Percy for being such gracious and responsive hosts, and for sharing their special place with all of us.

           Doug Nazarian & family

(Jun 8-11, 2017)   loved watching beautiful sunsets!!

We loved the beautiful setting of the retreat. We had picture perfect weather and loved sitting outside in the evenings watching the beautiful sunset. The convenience of having the bay for kayaking plus the pool and hot tub to keep the kids entertained was great. The Fun Center was the perfect indoor getaway for the kids as well and there was lots of great outdoor furniture - plenty of space for our large group to spread out.

           Jocelyn P

(May 26-29, 2017)   I got lots of applause for finding RCR estate!!

We had a wonderful time at RCR. I got lots of plaudits for finding the site. It was perfect for the age range of our group (79-1), with space for all, beautiful views, many things to do, and we liked the private location.

We also appreciated Marie's and John's (Caretaker) responsiveness when we called for help.

Again, thank you for all the answers to our many questions in the past year. RCR was a perfect place for our family to be together.

           Linda D

(May 18-22, 2017)   Our wedding celebration at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreats

We held our wedding celebration at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreats and couldn't be happier with the end result! It has beautiful scenery, plenty of space outside, and a lot of room inside to accommodate two fairly large families staying for the weekend. There is a lot to do on the property to keep guests busy and many historical sites to visit in the surrounding area.

We have a few helpful recommendations if you are planning your wedding at RCR estate:
  1. Find a full service rental vendor so cleanup is a breeze. With just family helping to clean up and put away rentals afterwards, this can be a daunting task; so choose the vendor carefully. Ours required setup and breakdown for all rental items with the exception of the tent and dance floor.
  2. Make signs that direct guests to the wedding. We created the signs to direct guests after we arrived and realized both Google and Apple, provided inaccurate directions. The best directions are on RCR's website, www.chesapeakeretreats.com.
  3. We highly recommend Old Salty's which is just down the road to cater your event. Everyone loved the food!
  4. Our cake, which we couldn't speak more highly of, was from Julie Bakes in Easton. She is great baker and we received nothing but compliments.

Marie and Percy were very helpful in accommodating setup before check-in, general logistics of parking on the property when the guests arrived. They give great prior information on what is expected from their guests during their stay.

           Jonathan and Claria

(Mar 22-24, 2017)   PLENTY OF SPACE TO SPREAD OUT!!

Last week our company held a corporate retreat at the RCR estate. The 3 buildings gave us plenty of space to spread out. People who like quiet time, found their own space. The younger ones stayed in the Fun Center where they could play pool and/or ping pong.

As the designated "chef" for our group, I had all the cooking supplies one would need. There were lots of pots, pans, utensils & such to prepare & serve meals for 30+. It all worked & everybody enjoyed their stay at Ransome's retreat! Our group was pleased to have such beautiful scenery all around us, right on the Bay!

           Joe w/Comcast

(Feb 15-18, 2017)   GREAT PLACE FOR A WORK RETREAT!

My organization rented this property for my team's work retreat. We have around 30 people and stayed for 3 days and everything was great! The owners were very flexible and accommodating, and readily available and responsive if/when we needed assistance.

What a gorgeous place to spend a few days! The weather was a little windy (but that's expected in February), but you really can't beat the view. The buildings were clean and there was plenty of room for meetings. We had to have a few people share beds (so if you'd like each guest to have their own bed, you may want to either rent the love boat or have less than 30 people in your party), but everything worked out well. I'd definitely recommend this rental to anyone!

           Kimberly Harlow - The Humane Society

(Dec 27-30, 2016)   Our 2nd stay in a beautiful, whisper quiet setting for our annual retreat

We were happy to return to Ransome's Chesapeake Retreats, our 2nd stay at this beautiful retreat/estate. To best describe the place, it's your dream location in a whisper quiet, gorgeous, and peaceful setting. The houses are kept in really good shape with new appliances.

We took 30 members from church to have a small winter retreat. Everyone loved it and want to come back again for our annual retreat. The whole rental process went very smoothly. I want to truly thank Marie for giving us the best retreat experience.

           Pastor Mike

(Oct 28-31, 2016)   An Amazing Venue!!

We recently celebrated our wedding at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreats renting Oct 28-31, 2016. We wanted an informal but scenic location that would could turn into a "destination wedding" for our family & friends. We found this place after doing some digging, and we couldn't have been happier once we finally came across this estate.

Our wedding hosted over 150 people. While there is no facility on site to hold a group of that size, we were able to rent a tent and portable toilet trailer to accommodate our wedding guests. Every single guest was amazed at the venue, with its views and charm. We were asked repeatedly how we found this place. The retreat is very secluded which provided us with no time limits or curfews.

The estate provided comfortable sleeping arrangements for 30+ of our family & friends who stayed with us. This is not a luxury resort, not to be expected. But it is clean, comfortable, and has quite a bit of charm & character. All 30+ who stayed with us enjoyed their stay and had no complaints. The facilities were clean and well-tended to. The beds were comfortable and there were plenty of sheets and towels available to our guests.

We can't thank Marie and Percy enough for providing us with an amazing unique venue for our wedding. We wanted to do something a little less traditional but still have it be charming, and this was the perfect setting for such an event. With tons of room to roam, our guests spread all over the retreat just exploring the sights and paths. The sunsets over the bay are spectacular, and I think every single guest we had took pictures with the sunset. We had a cookout Friday night for our "rehearsal" dinner and used the grills provided at the retreat to cook for over 90 people with no issue. We used the fire pit by the pond all night as a gathering point. It is just an amazing place for people to come and relax and enjoy good company. It was too cold for us to use the pool and do any water sports, but the hot tub was a big hit!

Marie and Percy were very accommodating to our needs and wants for our wedding. Their requests of us and our guests were very reasonable, and we couldn't have been happier. And as a host of a wedding, nothing was nicer than being able to go to bed after the wedding, and not having to worry about cleaning up till the next day! The price was exceptionally reasonable, and we have already discussed a return trip for a family reunion or something similar. Ransome's Chesapeake Retreats really is a special unique place that made our wedding incredibly memorable.

           Megan & Rob

(Oct 17-23, 2016)   A wedding celebration & family vacation combined

We decided to have a destination wedding to celebrate our love & commitment to each other with our family & friends along -- a get-away/vacation that everyone could enjoy! We could not have picked a better location for our wedding celebration!

The estate was equipped with everything you could possibly need, especially the kitchen, fully stocked w/utensils, pots/pans, etc. The rooms were great, allowing us to invite several people to stay with us! The bedroom set ups made it very easy to designate spaces for slumber parties or privacy! Having access to washers and dryers in each of the homes was a great asset! There are several areas that were kid friendly, offering fun things for them to do.

We were able to enjoy beautiful sunsets, kayaking, sitting around the fire pit sharing stories, playing tennis, enjoying it all with our friends and family!! all the while making sweet memories! We had lots of ping pong & pool tournaments - great FUN! The Ransome's Chesapeake retreat is an excellent vacation location, and an extra special place to celebrate, especially a wedding! We could not feel more blessed to be able to share our wedding in such a beautiful atmosphere with those we love. Truly amazing - a wonderful memory maker!

We can't wait to come back and visit, hopefully for a family reunion next time!

           Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Kellogg

(Oct 2016)   A Dream Bachelorette Weekend!!!

I was looking for something (somewhere) special to hold my daughter's bachelorette party where all the girls & our future bride could come together to have a great weekend at an awesome Resort. We found just what we were looking for & more at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat!!!

The hot tub and pool with the LARGE screened in porch were the highlight, along with the unforgettable view of the Chesapeake Bay!!! We played pool and ping pong in the Fun Center and kayaked on the Bay, which was all the recreation we needed, along w/lots of girl talk, of course.

All the bridesmaids enjoyed everything and said they would love to come back again in the future with their own families!!! There were lots of bathrooms & with lots of ladies, there was no waiting line!

We ended our stay with a family crab feast including all the men and children who are still talking about the time we spent there and how much fun they had!

Thank you so much Marie and Percy for supplying such a incredible experience for your guests; We have sweet memories of our time there that will last a life time and we are sincerely grateful. Much Love to you and your family,

           Jay & Susan Meredith & family

(arrival Jun 25, 2016)   Wow! We all fit!

When my extended family started looking for a place where we could all be together for an extended visit, the options were few and far between. We like to plan a group vacation every three years or so... but our group keeps expanding. We have three more little characters added to the role call since the last vacation, and during our week at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat, we heard news of a new arrival coming by the end of this year!

We were particularly excited to have a separate bedroom for all our families while still being able to use the Main House kitchen to feed everyone.

Days were mostly spent lounging on the screened in porch in the shade enjoying the breeze with a jigsaw puzzle overlooking and talking with anyone who was floating in the pool. But, we are also an active bunch! We rented kayaks and had a rotating schedule of boaters, one of the teenagers hosted a tennis clinic for the younger kids on the tennis court (maybe not a regulation court, but it did the trick), and we enjoyed the bean bag game provided in the game shed. We even caught a few crabs in the traps at the dock.

The nearest town of Cambridge is a bit of a hike (30 mins?), but we found ourselves there almost daily for groceries, or other odds and ends. We were able to find very efficient and responsive medical care when the baby spiked a fever one night. We also traveled to the bird sanctuary trail for a bike ride and over to Hoopers Island for dinner at Old Salty's on our last night together.

Prior to our rental week, the Ransomes were simply a phone call away to answer any question a member of the family had. They gave us a great recommendation for a chartered fishing tour. Once we arrived, they were equally attentive to meet our every need. When the wifi needed to be reset, they helped right away. Thanks, Marie and Percy for all your help!

           Katherine Z.

(Stayed Dec 2015)   absolutely amazing weekend

It's been 24 hours since my party has left the Ransome Retreat and the feedback I've received has been entirely positive. The most common sentiment I've received is - "wow, how'd you find this place and when can we return?" I want to thank Marie and Percy Ransome for sharing their home with us, as we could not have selected a better location for a reunion.

During the entirety of the day, we enjoyed all kinds of outdoor activities, including fishing, relaxing on the sun porch, a game of 'touch' football, and checking out the scenic compound through several well-worn treks. At night, our group congregated by the hot tub and the Game Center, and both locations proved to be ideal locations for the group and allowed our party to spread out and enjoy each other without feeling like we were hurting for space. I was very appreciative - as was my entire party - that the amenities were up-to-date and all in fine working condition; in fact, the bedrooms were much bigger than I expected and were perfect for sleeping a modest sized group.

I would recommend the Retreat to parties where everyone appreciates being together without feeling on-top of one another. There's PLENTY to do, see, and experience, and despite the "stress" of dealing with various logistics related to travel, throughout my stay I felt completely relaxed and at ease. Thank you again to Marie and Percy, we had a wonderful experience and look forward to many future returns.

           Benjamin P.

(Stayed Aug 2015)   Perfect retreat for rest, relaxation, and all needs!

WOW! We really can not say enough good about the time we spent at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat. We had more room than we needed, for sure, but our "honeymoon" was complete because our entire chosen family was able to be there, spread out, and do all the things we wanted. Some of us spent time following the footsteps and historic markers of Harriet Tubman. Some of us went on bay cruises, to see light houses and fish. *We ate well that week, plenty of blues and one Cobia - a true bay surprise! Many of us "personed" the crab pots, steamed, picked and ate away our catch! Three kitchens meant easy prep and oyster schucking! Mostly we just drove, toured, got lost and found again and enjoyed the beautiful settings, incredible sunsets, wildlife and AMAZING screened porch! Meeting Marie, Percy and Friends at Old Salty's was a fun surprise too! Such wonderful, and friendly, down to earth folks!

           Lynn R.

(Stayed Apr 2015)   Best Bay Wedding Location

When we first saw this location as a potential location for our wedding, we fell in love with it! It was exactly what we wanted - a very secluded, private stretch of land right by the bay. The long, dramatic driveway that leads to the bay breezes was the entrance we wanted. The idea that we had no neighbors and wouldn't have to worry about making too much noise was incredibly appealing.

There are multiple locations where we could have had our ceremony- there is a lake, a great walkway down to a tree near a small bridge, and for smaller weddings, a platform right next to the bay. The place it so picturesque, and has so much versatility that you just can't go wrong!

There was plenty of space to put up a reception tent, plenty of ovens/grilles/refrigerators for the Chefs to prep and serve the food. We really needed this to be functional, and it worked perfectly to serve the food right out of the Fun Center.

We fully utilized the outdoor space and rented kayaks (there's an easy water entry point), and had our friends bring and dock their boat there. We made good use of the fire pit and corn hole boards. This really made our wedding so special and fun.

We used the main house for me and the bridesmaids to get ready in, while the groomsmen got ready in the cottage. Having multiple houses on property was perfect to keep with tradition and had the groom not see the bride before the ceremony! We then had our immediate families stay on the property with us that night and we held a small brunch the next day. The wedding day goes so fast that we really appreciated being able to have them on property with us for an extra day or two.

The best part by far was how easy it was to work with Marie & Percy. We had been to so many venues that wanted to charge us up to $1000 extra if we didn't use their preferred vendor list. Not that way here! Because there is no list of vendors we're obligated to use, this really allowed us the freedom to have our wedding the way that we wanted. We were able to choose the best vendor for each service, and could DIY as much as we wanted! This allowed us huge opportunities to save some $$. And since we were so remotely located, we didn't have to "shut it down" at a certain time. Percy was also was onsite during the wedding if anyone needed help - like a ladder, or if a fuse blew, etc. Having this was a God-send!

           Megan S.

(Stayed Dec 2014)   Spectacular setting, fun for all. Great family time!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful Retreat w/our family! Fabulous time was had by all at our family reunion on this peaceful estate! Made special memories we’ll never forget…… family from VA, DE, MO, CA,

OH, NJ, PA & all the way from Hawaii! 5 generations!!!! 30+ family members!!! We had an engagement celebration, 2 birthday parties… played lots of games in the Fun Center & outside!! Tennis competitions, kayaking. Amazingly, we all fit around the fire pit!! special times together… We got great pictures of such amazing scenery in every direction; Took pictures while out on the kayaks, relaxed in the hot tub! Enjoyed the comforts of home! Thanks for the opportunity to "play like crazy" here!! AND to reconnect w/each other!! Enjoyed it all!!

           MaryAnne Wagram, NC

(Stayed Nov 2014)   We'll see you for our 3rd annual retreat at Ransome's Retreat in 2015!!

Marie & Percy, we recently returned from our 2nd retreat at RCR. Again, our church group was re-energized at our annual gathering where we came to work & worship together - singing & praising our God in such a beautiful setting - in God's country!! The kitchen was well stocked w/cooking utensils, etc. & plenty of linens for our large group. The Fun Center is perfect for our meetings, with the ability to come together in a large room. We appreciate the cleanliness of the homes & the beauty of the outdoor surroundings!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful estate with us! We had a great time! See you for our 3rd annual retreat at Ransome's Retreat in 2015!

           Bruno - Young Adults Group NUBC

Call us at 1.856.981.6612 for your next Maryland eastern shore vacation.

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