SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL BY NATURE
A Family Owned Inn Located in Chincoteague Island, Virginia
Nestled among whispering pines at the entrance to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, The Refuge Inn is more than just a place to stay: it’s an authentic island tradition. For three generations, our family has welcomed guests with a legacy of warmth, comfort, and genuine hospitality.
Our peaceful grounds invite you to slow down and savor the moment, with shaded picnic areas, blooming gardens, and a view of our resident ponies. Every room is thoughtfully designed with your getaway in mind, blending coastal charm with modern ease.
Whether you’re pedaling to the beach at sunrise, birdwatching from your balcony, or exploring the islands’ winding waterways, The Refuge Inn is the heart from which your island adventure unfolds. We've honed every detail so you can relax, breathe the salt air, and make magical island memories.
REFUGE INN
Each of our 72 rooms is individually decorated with thoughtful touches that reflect the charm of our island surroundings. Comfort comes in many forms, and we’ve designed our rooms to meet the needs of just about every traveler. Whether you’re visiting for a family getaway, a romantic escape, or a solo retreat, you’ll find thoughtfully appointed spaces that make you feel right at home.
We’re proud to make our inn welcoming to everyone, with a variety of accommodations: family-friendly rooms with two queen beds, spacious and romantic king rooms, and well-appointed suites everyone can gather. Connecting rooms and accessible accommodations are available for added flexibility, privacy, and guest comfort.
We take great care to ensure each room is spotless and welcoming. Every room includes a private balcony or patio to unwind and take in the natural beauty that surrounds the inn. Whichever room you choose, you’ll enjoy the same signature warmth, charm, and attention to detail that keep guests returning year after year.
VISIT WILD PONIES
Just minutes away
There’s something unforgettable about seeing the wild Chincoteague ponies for the first time. Emerging quietly from the pine trees or silhouetted against the marsh grasses, they move with an easy confidence that feels both powerful and peaceful. Watching their manes lifted by the salt breeze, hooves pressing into the barrier island sand that has been shaped by tide and time. These ponies aren’t staged or fenced; they live as they always have, roaming freely across Assateague Island, woven into the rhythm of wind, water, and sky. To witness them in the wild is to step into a slower world, where nature leads and awe comes naturally. It’s a moment guests dream about long before they arrive, and one they carry home long after they leave.
Just beyond your room, that same sense of wonder continues here at the inn. Our resident ponies graze peacefully among the pines, offering a front-row seat to one of Chincoteague’s most beloved traditions. There is no schedule, no crowd, no stress– just you and the ponies. Magic happens every time a pony-lover experiences their very first sighting with wide-eyed delight, whether they’re six or sixty. It’s an experience that feels personal and unhurried. The ponies are ever-present at the Refuge Inn, where the magic of the island isn’t something you have to chase. We’ll have it waiting for you.
Explore the Islands
WALLOPS ISLAND
Welcome to Virginia’s Space Coast, where space exploration takes center stage at NASA Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. Watch a launch light up the sky, then visit NASA’s hands-on Wallops Visitor Center to explore rockets, follow active science missions, and discover the universe—all just minutes from the Refuge Inn.
CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND
Where your trip comes to life. Our island home offers a nostalgic vacation vibe—bike rides, quaint shops, ice cream parlors, panoramic sunsets, local seafood restaurants, and simple pleasures that never go out of style.
ASSATEAGUE ISLAND
Where nature takes the lead. Assateague is an undeveloped National Seashore and Wildlife Refuge, home to miles of natural sandy shoreline, roaming ponies, a historic lighthouse, and abundant birdlife. Here, the recreational beach and salt marshes remain beautifully untamed, just as nature intended.
GUEST EXPERIENCES
- I have stayed at The Refuge Inn several times and it never disappoints. The Rooms are clean and very comfortable with plenty of linens. The staff is very friendly and professional. Location is great! Very close to Assateague (almost walking distance) with lots of restaurants nearby. I definitely will be staying there again.
- It was a pleasure to see you again and stay at the Refuge Inn, the most charming hotel in Chincoteague.
BE PART OF OUR STORY
The Refuge Inn has been part of the rhythm of the island for generations, welcoming guests who return year after year to reconnect with nature, with each other, and with a place that feels familiar the moment you arrive. Whether you’re continuing a tradition or starting a new one, our doors are open and the island is waiting.
Favorite weekends, events, and migration seasons tend to fill quickly.