Questions, answered plainly

How do I book directly without Airbnb or VRBO?

Pick your dates, tell us about your group, and enter your card on our secure Stripe checkout. Your card is saved but not charged — the owner personally reviews each request within 24 hours and emails you the moment your booking is approved and the deposit is charged. If you pay with Affirm or Klarna instead, they charge at checkout and the booking is confirmed straight away. The whole submission takes under 10 minutes.

Why should I book direct?

Booking direct means dealing with the owner directly, earning Bayside Rewards credit on every stay, and building member perks over time. Every site — here, Evolve, Airbnb, or Vrbo — shows its own total at its own checkout; book here and there's no platform service fee added on top. Plus you get direct phone/text access to the owner.

Will my card be charged when I submit my booking request?

No. Your card is saved securely at Stripe but nothing is charged until the owner reviews and approves your booking, within 24 hours. You'll get a confirmation email the moment your deposit is charged. Affirm and Klarna work differently: they charge at checkout and the booking is confirmed straight away.

What if my dates aren't approved?

If the owner can't host you for the dates you requested, your saved card is automatically released, no charge is ever placed, and you'll get a polite email explaining. You're welcome to try different dates any time.

What is your cancellation policy?

Free cancellation up to 14 days before check-in — full refund, no questions. Cancellations within 14 days of check-in are non-refundable. We recommend travel insurance for extra peace of mind.

Do I need to pay the full amount at booking?

Not always. For a stay 14 or more days away, a 30% deposit is charged when the booking is confirmed and the balance is charged automatically to the same card 3 days before check-in. Closer in than 14 days, the stay is paid in full when it is confirmed.

What payment methods do you accept?

All major credit and debit cards through our secure Stripe checkout. We also accept Affirm and Klarna — pick that option at checkout for an instant approval, pay-in-full booking that doesn't wait on owner review (Affirm/Klarna handle the financing on their end). For cards, we save your method now and only charge after the owner approves the booking.

How far in advance should I book for a summer stay?

Memorial Day through Labor Day books out fast — often 4–6 months in advance, especially for long weekends. We recommend booking summer dates as soon as your group is confirmed.

Is there a minimum stay requirement?

Yes, 2 nights minimum.

How many guests does The Bayside Escape sleep?

Up to 24 guests comfortably. 6 bedrooms: 1 King + 4 Queens + 4 Twins + 5 Queen sofa-sleepers (2 sofa-sleepers in the family room, 2 in the upstairs living room, 1 in bedroom 4). Every bedroom has its own door. Full sleeping arrangement details are in your booking confirmation.

How many bedrooms and bathrooms are there?

6 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms — 4 full baths and 1 half bath. Bedroom configuration: 1 King master (main level, step-free, climb-in soaking tub) + 4 Queens (2 upstairs, 2 downstairs) + 1 triple-twin room upstairs. Bedrooms 5 and 6 share a Jack-and-Jill bath between them, with a door into each room; every bedroom still has its own door.

Is the kitchen equipped for a group of 24?

Fully equipped. 1 large single oven, island seating for 4, breakfast room with seating for 6, and a dining table that seats ten. Coffeemaker, pots, pans, dishes, glassware — everything you need for group cooking and bay-view feasts.

Is there parking for a large group?

Yes. About 10 cars park comfortably in the private driveway, and more fit with careful parking. Boat trailers are welcome, and the Flex Barn can be driven into for unloading — it takes the overflow cars too when nobody is using it. No permit needed.

What is the WiFi speed?

High-speed fiber throughout the property — fast enough for video calls, streaming, and remote work. The upstairs living room has a dedicated work-from-home nook with bay views.

Is there air conditioning?

Yes. Full central air conditioning throughout the main house.

What is the Flex Barn?

A 1,600 sqft freestanding space with 16-ft ceilings, a 16-ft sliding barn door, and rubber flooring. It transforms into whatever your group needs: vehicle and gear storage, a yoga or fitness studio, a corporate strategy room, a place for your own group to gather, or a kids' activity room. No extra cost — it's included with every booking.

Is there a washer and dryer?

Yes — 2 full-size washers and 2 full-size dryers. Ideal for extended stays or fishing trips where you want to wash gear and go back out.

Is The Bayside Escape wheelchair accessible?

The main level is step-free. 3 of the six bedrooms, including the master, are on the step-free main level, and there are ramps at both decks and into the barn. The other 3 bedrooms are upstairs, up a standard staircase, and there is no chair lift. We are not ADA certified and there are no grab bars. The main-level master bath has a freestanding soaking tub and a separate shower you step into. It is not a roll-in shower, and there are no grab bars. Tell us what your group needs before you book and we will answer room by room.

Is the main-level master bedroom accessible?

It is on the step-free main level. The tub is a freestanding soaking tub you step into, and there is a separate shower too, also step-in, not roll-in. There are no grab bars at either.

Are pets allowed?

Yes — up to two well-behaved dogs. We are not able to accommodate cats or other pets. There is a $150 pet fee per stay, not per dog. Please keep pets off furniture and clean up after them in the yard. The 1.2-acre lot gives them plenty of room to roam.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Check-in is 4:00 PM. Check-out is 10:00 AM. Early check-in and late check-out are not available — we need full turnaround time between guests.

What are the house rules?

Quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM. No smoking inside the house or Flex Barn. No illegal activity. Max occupancy: 24. No open flame inside. Pets must be kept off furniture. The full house rules are in your rental agreement.

What is the cleaning fee?

A flat $300 cleaning fee covers the professional cleaning of the entire property after your stay. The kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces are all professionally cleaned between every guest.

What should we do at checkout?

Please strip the beds of sheets, bag the trash, load and run the dishwasher, and lock up. No need to deep clean — that's what the cleaning team is for. A full checkout checklist is in your welcome packet.

Where exactly is The Bayside Escape?

2144 Hoopersville Road, Fishing Creek, MD 21634 — on the Chesapeake Bay side of Hooper's Island, Dorchester County, Maryland. The island is accessible via a scenic 45-minute drive from Route 50.

How far is it from Washington DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis?

Washington DC: ~2 hours 40 minutes. Baltimore: ~2 hours 30 minutes. Annapolis: ~2 hours. The drive across the Bay Bridge and down Route 50 is part of the experience — and the Eastern Shore coming into view.

Can we go crabbing from the property?

Yes. The Chesapeake Bay shoreline is a short walk across a quiet road. You can crab from the shoreline across the road, or the nearby bridge — blue crabs are abundant April through mid-December (peak July–September). No Maryland license is needed for a handline or a dip net there, or from a boat — the limit that goes with that is 2 dozen male hard crabs plus a dozen soft or peeler crabs per person a day, males only. A Maryland recreational crabbing license ($5 for a Maryland resident, $10 if you live out of state) is what you need for gear such as collapsible traps, trotlines or net rings. Rippons Brothers Seafood (2 miles, ~5 min drive) sells fresh crabs, bait, and gear. It's one of the most quintessential Eastern Shore experiences.

Are there fishing charters nearby?

Yes — several local captains operate charters out of the island and nearby Cambridge. Ask us and we'll connect you with someone personally. Striped bass (rockfish), flounder, bluefish, and speckled trout are all common catches.

What's nearby for day trips?

Cambridge, MD (~29 miles, ~40 min): historic harbor town with restaurants and shops. Blackwater Wildlife Refuge (~19 miles): 28,000 acres, bald eagles, kayak trails. Old Salty's Restaurant (3.6 miles, ~7 min): legendary Maryland crabs. Harris Crab House (Kent Narrows): all-you-can-eat crab feasts.

What is Blackwater Wildlife Refuge?

One of the top wildlife destinations on the East Coast. About 19 miles (~29 min drive) from the property, Blackwater has one of the highest concentrations of nesting bald eagles on the Atlantic coast, plus 28,000 acres of marshland with kayaking trails, wildlife drives, and birdwatching.

Can we host a family reunion here?

Yes, and the house is laid out for it. The Flex Barn takes the overflow, the pergola seats twenty, twenty eat at once indoors across the dining table (ten), the breakfast table (six) and the island (four), and there is parking for ten. Ten is the most at any one table.

Is the property available for corporate retreats?

Yes. The Flex Barn is a natural strategy room with high ceilings and open layout. High-speed WiFi throughout, a work-from-home nook with bay views, and 10 car parking.

Can we host a family gathering or celebration here?

Yes. The property is perfect for intimate weddings, anniversary parties, and milestone celebrations. Our policy allows for up to 50 people on the property in total — that figure includes the overnight capacity remaining at 24 guests. A refundable $500 event deposit is required. To maintain the peace of our community, we do not permit DJs or amplified outdoor music; acoustic ensembles are welcome. Please see our dedicated 'Intimate Wedding' and 'Anniversary' pages for more details, or chat with our concierge.