Refuge Inn Guest Reviews
2,000+ reviews
ranked by TripAdvisor
1,200+ reviews
A family-owned hotel, not a chain
And everything felt like vacation ought to be, not like we were widgets in a generic motel chain machine. There may be benefits to staying right on the water in town, but if you're in Chincoteague for what makes it unique, this is where you want to be.
TripAdvisor reviewer
We biked to the beach through the wildlife refuge every day — it was just a peaceful 20 minute ride away. In a world full of cookie-cutter hotels, really glad a place like this exists.
Sandra Benavente, Google
We will be back and bring people with us. Truly a unique and memorable experience. They just don't make places like this anymore.
Alex Mebane
It was a pleasure to see you again and stay at the Refuge Inn, the most charming hotel in Chincoteague.
Bill Goodwin, Southern Living
More guests on what makes it different
It feels good to support a family-owned hotel that's truly invested in its community. You can tell they care about both the people who live here and the travelers passing through, and I'm grateful to be a small part of that.
Clifford Holensworth, Google
The Refuge Inn is truly a refuge. Everything about our time there was top notch. One of the best places we have ever stayed.
Robert Pye, Google
Chincoteague ponies live on the property
We spent two nights on Halloween weekend and the Refuge Inn was the perfect spot! Easy to access, near the beach, shops and restaurants. We had a second floor room overlooking the pony pen and it was the highlight of our trip to see them!
Laura A., TripAdvisor
We have been staying here for 10 years every April and always have a great time. It's so close to the Wildlife Refuge and beach and the best part is that they have Chincoteague ponies right on the premises.
Dznymum, TripAdvisor
The Refuge Inn was the perfect place for our little getaway… huge beautifully furnished screened in porch overlooking a pony corral… immaculately maintained with soft, fluffy white towels.
MandyB, TripAdvisor
It was nice to have a balcony where we could see their beautiful horses! We enjoyed choosing our breakfast items and having them delivered to our door each morning. What a nice touch!
Equiis, TripAdvisor
More guests on the ponies
We decided to take a last minute trip and The Refuge Inn looked nice. Accommodations were above par and the staff were a pleasure to interact with. The ponies on site were so much fun.
David Seitz, Google
We enjoyed all the amenities, including the heated pool and sauna, and breakfast delivered straight to our door. The location was excellent, and we enjoyed the ponies in the stables outside. We also enjoyed the cozy rooms. A perfect stay!
Omar Abed, Google
Next to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Lovely hotel on the island. Next to bicycle rental and large corral of 5 Chincoteague ponies! Within bicycling distance to Assateague Island with the grazing ponies, lighthouse and beach! Wonderful staff! Nicely appointed rooms! And a full breakfast delivered to your door every morning. Who could ask for more?
Rebecca F., TripAdvisor
The location is great. The Refuge Inn is the last hotel on the road leading to Assateague, a national protected wildlife area, including wooded trails and a sandy beach on the Atlantic. Many birds to see.
Karen L., TripAdvisor
The facilities are lovely and the location is the absolute best. It was so easy to get to Assateague and the beaches, Main Street and the shops and restaurants and the harbor and the tour boats. The pony pasture on site is a special treat.
TripAdvisor reviewer
Beautiful setting, charming room, and very helpful staff. Adjacent to the entrance to Assateague National Wildlife Refuge — a huge plus. Loved everything about this place and will return!
Erik Cooke, Google
More guests on the location
Our King room was spotless, spacious, and quite comfortable. The balcony had 2 Adirondack chairs and a small table, making it easy to enjoy the free breakfast and coffee outside. The Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge is within walking distance.
Tracey P., TripAdvisor
We have stayed at the Refuge Inn a number of times and it is always great. The inn is located near the entrance to the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge. The rooms are comfortable, spacious and very clean. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
Lily G, TripAdvisor
Breakfast delivery
We enjoyed everything about our stay. Perfect for families who are looking for peace, nature, ponies, and beach. Attention to detail from plants and beautiful pool area, to the wildlife friendly warm yellow lights outside. Fantastic and convenient continental breakfast daily.
Ariel K., TripAdvisor
The value was exceptional, and the hot, homemade breakfast included each morning was a lovely bonus. The library was a delightful and unexpected surprise, offering a peaceful space to relax and reflect.
Carlena Jelley, Google
They serve you breakfast in your room by having you fill out a form the night before to select your food, the time you want it delivered and whether you want a knock on the door when it comes.
David and Marianne B.
Breakfast was delivered outside our door each morning with a choice of delivery time. It was very quiet. The beds are comfortable and the room size and furnishings were perfect.
Google reviewer
More guests on breakfast
The hotel staff are all so nice and helpful and the daily breakfast delivery is soooo yummy and a perfect way to start the day. The best part of the hotel is the indoor heated pool and hot tub!
Juliana Smith, Google
Lovely place! Clean comfy king room with bird theme. Nice breakfast included. Great location and friendly staff. Will definitely come back.
Kathryn Whaley, Google
Real metal keys, and no two rooms alike
Our room was in perfect condition! Maybe it had been recently refurbished, but it was clean, well-decorated, had everything a guest could use. Not a stain or scratch. The bed and pillows were comfortable. They provided a small bar of Bayberry soap, which we brought home. The other toiletries were in eco-friendly containers, which we appreciated.
Marggi S., TripAdvisor
We enjoyed our stay so much! From the moment at check in when they handed us our "actual" keys! Our room was so beautiful and so quaint!! The inn itself was so clean and the smell of the sauna and pool should be made into a candle scent!
Stephanie, Google
Updated decor, comfortable rooms, friendly staff, beautiful landscaping, pool, sauna, hot tub. It's a little retreat and you can't get much closer to the beach. I've been coming here for 5 years and I'll be back.
Gail R., TripAdvisor
Charm exudes with the gold room key! Decor is lovely with crown molding, a tranquil color palette and beautifully appointed furnishings. The lovely office staff was attentive and welcoming.
Google reviewer
More guests on the rooms
This place is a gem! The rooms are so cozy and elegant. Each room is different and warm! Breakfast delivery to your room at your chosen time.
Adrienne Rice, Google
Amazing staff, beautiful rooms, luxury amenities, and a worthwhile stay. The Refuge Inn is not your average hotel, they go above and beyond to set themselves apart and helped create a nice relaxing weekend, so good we even added an extra day!
Grace Peterson, Google
Staff who stay for decades
I can't say enough about this sweet little hotel. There were so many amenities that made it special — from the breakfast in the morning, to the little coffee station, the horses on location, the adorable gift shop and the kindness of the staff.
Robyn Picketts, Google
Best of all though was the people. The front desk was so accommodating, holding our breakfast for us at the front desk so we could pick it up after our boat tour. They even had fresh beignets at the front desk in the morning!
Ace Jones-Taylor, Google
No matter what staff member we needed or encountered, they were knowledgeable, efficient, fun and considerate. The rooms and bathrooms are upscale and roomy.
PaintMaine, TripAdvisor
The staff is so wonderful! From the front desk to everyone I saw on the grounds and in the halls- so welcoming and warm! The gardens are magnificent. The rooms are so sweetly decorated. Everything is so well thought out - including the extra trash bags left with a note in your room - perfect for the wet beach towels. Plus the washer and dryer on every floor in case you need to run a load.
Marlene S., TripAdvisor
Meet the family behind the inn
More guests on our staff
The front desk staff was helpful in telling us what was open during the off season. They have a cute little store, complimentary coffee and tea. The rooms were clean and quaint. I loved that you got a homey feel while staying there.
Alexa Emard, Google
We stay at this hotel every year when we go on vacation. It's always clean, quiet, the staff is friendly and it has everything we need to feel at home.
Maria L., TripAdvisor
Pool, ponies, and bikes for the kids
This is the perfect location for a family vacation! They have a nice heated pool and hot tub, even YMCA lead water exercise classes in the mornings. The rooms were perfect size, much easier than camping! The rooms were quiet, I have a sound sensitive kid, who was never woken up by loud sounds. There is a grassy courtyard for charcoal grilling, they supplied all the tools necessary. There was a swing the kids loved while waiting for us parents.
Angela M., TripAdvisor
We stayed at the veranda suite. It was incredibly spacious, and had everything we needed right down to salt & pepper in the kitchen and dishes so we could eat in like Mac n cheese and burgers.
Shannon Goggin, Google
Rental bikes on the other side of parking lot, ponies on site!!! Bring your quarters to buy corn kernels from the outdoor candy machines for the ponies and foals on site! This place is perfect for families, couples, girls’ trips etc! Look no further! I certainly won’t!!
bird5682, TripAdvisor
We traveled as a family of 4 with 2 young kids. We had a great stay! My kids loved the pool and ponies on site. The included breakfast delivered to your room is a huge plus and made mornings so easy!
Angela Foo, Google
More families on staying here
This hotel made our stay cozy and worth it. Not to mention the indoor pools are heated to the perfect temperature as well as the hot tub was fantastic! The environment of this hotel makes you feel at home! Would 100% stay again!
Maggie Halsey, Google
Best place on the island! The past 10 years we have been meeting friends at the Refuge Inn in early spring time for the weekend. We love the indoor heated pool with a hot tub… Everything is very clean.
zoe c, TripAdvisor
Guests who have been coming for decades
We have been vacationing with the Leonard's for 30 years and the Refuge always lives up to its name. If there could be an inn on Assateague itself, this is what it would feel like. Quiet, beautifully landscaped, clean and comfortable — it feels like you are staying in the countryside while minutes from the beach, with people who are warm and welcoming and go the extra mile.
Peggy, TripAdvisor
I've been coming here since I was born, for almost 25 years now, and have never had a complaint! The staff are always super friendly and helpful, the amenities are enjoyable and well kept, The Rookery gift shop has consistent good finds and deals, and it is a nice quiet, peaceful hotel with a great location.
Harvee B., Google
Been coming here for years and cannot say enough about how much fun it was as a kid! Pool, bikes, nature and ponies — it doesn't get better than that. Now, as an adult, my heart has been filled with joy to re-experience it. So glad to be able to continue the tradition.
Laura Tuomisto, Google
I've been staying there for years! EXCELLENT! I don't know why anyone would stay at a chain, boring, cookie cutter hotel when they could stay someplace MAGIC! It is unique in each room and spotless! I bring my 95 year old mother as she gets treated like royalty!
Pamela Casassa, Google
Read about the Leonard family legacy
More returning guests
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.
Pamela S.
We’ve been coming to The Refuge for 16 yrs now, once or twice a summer. Still as good as ever! We wouldn’t stay anywhere else on the Island. Quaint & family-owned, it’s a gem.
BMc66, TripAdvisor
Come see for yourself.
Stayed with us before? Leave a review on Google or TripAdvisor.