History
The hotel is spread across four buildings. The oldest, the main building, was built in the 1830s and started as the town’s schoolhouse. It was eventually purchased by the Jewett family, the owners of one of the major canneries in town. The two buildings across the street were built during the mid-to-late nineteenth century. The newest building is from the 1920s and is an event space, built as a garage to house the milk delivery trucks, hence its name the Milk Truck Garage. The property was purchased by the current owners in the summer of 2019. It was a former bed and breakfast with a spa component and indoor pool. The whole property has been renovated from top to bottom, with a restaurant added and an outdoor pool coming soon as well as 14 additional rooms and both indoor and outdoor event spaces.
Accommodations
The Wildset hotel offers a total of 34 thoughtfully designed, effortlessly chic rooms in a variety of sizes and styles, many of which feature fireplaces and private balconies or patios. Room options include suites with sleeper sofas, suites with sitting areas, ADA rooms, king rooms with freestanding tubs and private balconies, and double rooms with queen beds.
Design
Kathryn Lager Design Studio completely renovated the historic building from top to bottom maintaining the historic exterior details while approaching the interior with a modern eye to evoke a light, airy and inviting space. The influences of the town’s origin and nautical surroundings can be seen throughout the space with modern twists on colonial-era elements as well as an integrated wild marsh-like color palette that is featured throughout the property to reflect the rugged beauty of the Chesapeake.
Dining
The Ruse is a seafood-centric American restaurant from the part of the team behind highly acclaimed Henrietta Red in Nashville that earned “best new restaurant” accolades from the James Beard Awards, Bon Appetit and others after it debuted four years ago. The new concept by the duo reflects a dynamic culinary program that includes a unique raw bar, distinct coastal influences from the West Coast, the local Chesapeake and New England waters. The wine and cocktail programs focus on high-quality products, fresh seasonal ingredients and small production biodynamic wines. The dining space is chic, light and airy, which is also a reflection of the surrounding environment, community and the town’s rich history. The name Ruse embraces the legacy of St. Michaels, the town that fooled the British while taking a fresh take on local cuisine.
