Entire home
Mid-Century Modern on Private Beach, Designed by Award Winning Architect!
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Reviews
10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 41600 sq ft
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Chesapeake Beach, MD
- Place, Breezy Point Beach12 min walk
- Place, Northwest Stadium47 min drive
- Place, MGM National Harbor Casino50 min drive
- Airport, Easton, MD (ESN-Easton - Newnam)100 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Bay Room
1 Queen Bed
Garden Room
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Mid-Century Modern on Private Beach, Designed by Award Winning Architect!
Come enjoy living in mid-century modern style, with sweeping views of the Chesapeake Bay, all within a short drive from the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Annapolis, Solomons Island, fishing charters and our many local historic sites. This property is also U.S. Army veteran (Afghanistan and Iraq) owned and operated, as well as LGBTQ safe and friendly.
Award winning local architect, James William Ritter III, of Ritter-Norton Architecture, located in Alexandria, Virginia, purchased, completely rebuilt and redesigned this home for his wife and himself, when they began their retirement. The architect's son, Mark Ritter, and his spouse, Nicholas Knowlton, now own the home and want to welcome you to enjoy this unique house and its magical setting. https://www.ritternorton.com/james
Here, you'll enjoy the true modern ideal of blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces. Wake up in the morning to the sounds of seabirds calling and waves lapping on the beach. Start your day right, in our open, multi-head, shower stall, with heated floors and protected views of our perennial garden. A huge bank of windows and sliding glass doors makes the Bay the centerpiece of the entire living and kitchen areas. The house draws you outside to enjoy a morning cup of coffee on the veranda, head down the stairs for direct access to a day on the beach or simply enjoy a glass of wine, while relaxing with a book in the hammock.
Disclosure: We have hard water. Most of our renters had no complaints or issues, but it has bothered one or two. Therefore, we decided to be upfront about it, rather than have a renter find out upon arrival. Hard water is a problem you’ll unfortunately find in almost any home in this region. We do not provide refunds relating to this issue, given this upfront disclosure.
Award winning local architect, James William Ritter III, of Ritter-Norton Architecture, located in Alexandria, Virginia, purchased, completely rebuilt and redesigned this home for his wife and himself, when they began their retirement. The architect's son, Mark Ritter, and his spouse, Nicholas Knowlton, now own the home and want to welcome you to enjoy this unique house and its magical setting. https://www.ritternorton.com/james
Here, you'll enjoy the true modern ideal of blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces. Wake up in the morning to the sounds of seabirds calling and waves lapping on the beach. Start your day right, in our open, multi-head, shower stall, with heated floors and protected views of our perennial garden. A huge bank of windows and sliding glass doors makes the Bay the centerpiece of the entire living and kitchen areas. The house draws you outside to enjoy a morning cup of coffee on the veranda, head down the stairs for direct access to a day on the beach or simply enjoy a glass of wine, while relaxing with a book in the hammock.
Disclosure: We have hard water. Most of our renters had no complaints or issues, but it has bothered one or two. Therefore, we decided to be upfront about it, rather than have a renter find out upon arrival. Hard water is a problem you’ll unfortunately find in almost any home in this region. We do not provide refunds relating to this issue, given this upfront disclosure.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 13–17
Younger children = immediate cancelation/eviction
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
Do not allow urination on lawn terraces.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Chesapeake Beach
Located in Chesapeake Beach, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Bruce Gabrielson's Surf Art Gallery and Museum and Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Chesapeake Beach Water Park and Kocen Arts Center. R&J's PlayPark and Phillips Wharf Environmental Center are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Chesapeake Beach, MD
What's nearby
- Breezy Point Beach - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
- Northwest Stadium - 47 min drive - 60.7 km
- MGM National Harbor Casino - 50 min drive - 68.7 km
- Washington Navy Yard - 54 min drive - 68.3 km
- U.S. Naval Academy - 56 min drive - 66.7 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Abner's Crab House - 10 min drive
- Traders Seafood Steak & Ale - 10 min drive
- Thursday's Bar & Grill - 14 min drive
- Mels Crabs - 10 min drive
- City Sliders - 13 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.8/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Amenities
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
1 Dec, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Barbara S.
5 Oct, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Barbara S.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Karen W.
30 Sept, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy



Karen W.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Rich M.
19 Jul, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rich M.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Dominick G.
6 Aug, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dominick G.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Elijah D.
15 Oct, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
As always, a great stay.
Elijah D.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Eliana P.
29 Apr, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Stay
Eliana P.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Leonard W.
5 Feb, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We'll be back
Leonard W.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
8/10 Good
Aurelio P.
1 Dec, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stay by the beach
Aurelio P.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tina K.
19 Feb, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house
Tina K.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
8/10 Good
Gary A.
27 Dec, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Only issue was the smelly water
Gary A.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Sheila
5 Jan, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Sheila
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
10/10 Excellent
Julianna F.
4 Mar, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our second stay
Julianna F.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
10/10 Excellent
Steven I.
16 Apr, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic view
Steven I.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Lara D.
17 Feb, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful view and property
Lara D.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Julianna F.
12 Nov, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great quiet getaway!
Julianna F.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
John M.
10 Feb, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Bayfront House
John M.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Steve C.
2 May, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Chesapeake Bay
Steve C.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Michele A.
9 Mar, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend Getaway
Michele A.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
10/10 Excellent
Andrew H.
6 Mar, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay on the Chesapeake
Andrew H.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
kathy e.
16 May, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Right. on the Bay
kathy e.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Scott C.
23 Mar, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A beautiful spot
Scott C.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kevin E.
24 Jul, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome property
Kevin E.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Joel K.
19 Oct, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful view
Joel K.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tranessa W.
11 Apr, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dream house, dream location, dream hosts
Tranessa W.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
About the host
Hosted by Nick
We live full time in northern Virginia. We took over the Bay House from my father-in-law, after he re-married and they decided they wanted to live elsewhere.
I’ve always loved hosting parties and having house guests, as well as making everything perfect for them. Putting the house on vrbo, seemed a great way to extend that idea into a money making venture.
I’ve always loved hosting parties and having house guests, as well as making everything perfect for them. Putting the house on vrbo, seemed a great way to extend that idea into a money making venture.
Why they chose this property
First, the view! Second, proximity to the Washington, DC area makes it an easy get-away for us. It’s also a friendly little neighborhood, and we love having the private beach (no crowds!).
What makes this property unique
Two words: great architecture.
The house was rebuilt and redesigned by an architect who is in the top one half of one percent of his profession in the entire country: my father-in-law, James William Ritter. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, which is a very rare level of distinction, one given to him by other architects, so when you stay here, you experience residential architecture at a level often reserved for only a few very lucky home owners.
We love sharing the Ritter Bay House with people and hope it provides a teaching moment, allowing guests to appreciate how great architecture can alter how you feel within a home and interact with the greater environment around it. Great architecture isn’t just about being pretty; it should affect one’s moods, how one moves and what one sees.
The house was rebuilt and redesigned by an architect who is in the top one half of one percent of his profession in the entire country: my father-in-law, James William Ritter. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, which is a very rare level of distinction, one given to him by other architects, so when you stay here, you experience residential architecture at a level often reserved for only a few very lucky home owners.
We love sharing the Ritter Bay House with people and hope it provides a teaching moment, allowing guests to appreciate how great architecture can alter how you feel within a home and interact with the greater environment around it. Great architecture isn’t just about being pretty; it should affect one’s moods, how one moves and what one sees.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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