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Zen Sunset Retreat on Waterfront at West River, MD

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A two-story house with a front porch, a balcony on the upper floor, and a garage.
Property video
A two-story building with a stone facade, multiple balconies, and a large front door.
A marina at dusk with boats docked and a calm water surface reflecting the sky.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stainless steel stove, and a decorative tile backsplash.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Massages in spa
  • On-site fitness centre
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet

Explore the area

View in a map
West River, MD
  • Place, Franklin Point State Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Northern Chesapeake Bay
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Shadyside Park
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Airport, Baltimore, MD (BWI-Baltimore Washington Intl. Thurgood Marshall)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom #1 - Main Guest Suite, 2d Floor

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom #2, 2d Floor

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom #3, 2d Floor

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom #4 - Loft / Multi-Purpose Room, 3d Floor

1 Queen Futon and 1 Single Sofa Bed

Living Room 1

1 Single Futon

Optional Bedroom 5 (Office), 2d Floor

1 Queen Murphy Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1, Master Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2, shared by Bedrooms 2 & 3

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Bidet · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 4- Kilimanjaro Powder Room

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Option Bathroom 5 for Office Uplift

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Number of living rooms
Garden

About this property

Zen Sunset Retreat on Waterfront at West River, MD

De-stress, Relax and Heal at our stunning, newly-constructed 3-story waterfront Zen Sunset Retreat (ZSR), with tons of amenities and PEACE-centric services to ensure a delightful, peaceful, and an amazing visit!

Breathe deeply, and heal from pressures of modern life. Enjoy our serene, sun-filled respite, with holistic self-care options available on-site. A dedicated Guest Ambassador will greet, facilitate and optimize your stay!

ACTIVITIES: Explore Nature trail, fish/crab adjacent to ZSR's dedicated pier, or simply luxuriate with private, licensed masseuse on Yoga loft balcony as the the sun sets over the Chesapeake Area! Or charter sunset boat trip, fishing, or other boating activities. ZSR also has on-premise guided yoga, sound therapy and Chef-led Cooking Classes (Asian, Italian, Latin or Fusion) or Mixology Classes. These activities need to be reserved 2 weeks in advance for additional fee. ZSR provides the PEACE; you do YOU!

HOLLYWOOD: "Deep Impact" Movie: ZSR is on a private, upscale pensinsula on West Chalk Point Road and privileged to be featured in 1998 "Deep Impact" movie. It's known for Sunsets and private, waterfront beauty. The movie was a celestial disaster genre starring Morgan Freeman (President), Tea Leoni (Ace Reporter), and Robert Duvall (Astronaut Leader). It was rated 6.3 on IMdB rating.

INTERIOR:
The Zen Sunset Retreat features an open-concept Living Room / Kitchen, 4 Bedrooms and 3.5 baths. The "fourth bedroom" comprises the entire third floor - a 700 square foot multi-purpose yoga loft, meditation, entertainment/ karaoke/ dancing; and/or a fourth bedroom with its full-sized futon and full bath. There is a $50/night/ Guest over 8 Guests. Cleaning Fees are for one cleaning and launder at check out. Mid-stay launder. towel, cleaning services available for additional charge.

Optional 5th bedroom/Office with Murphy bed accommodates 2 additional guests, and can be made available for additional fee of $100/night.

Outside you will enjoy three balconies, all with stunning views of the Sunset over the West River, and the 100' ZSR pier 20 steps away.

PIER: The Pier has step down for your small crafts (kayaks, canoes, paddle boats etc.), and you can fish & crab! Water depth is 4-5 ft depending on tide. If you have larger boats, Chalk Point marina is walking distance for larger sail or motor water crafts which need deeper water. Each House in the neighborhood has it's own private pier.

Guest access
Zen Sunset Retreat is rented as complete house, with keyless touchpad and greeted by a Guest Ambassador upon check-in and on standby throughout your visit.

ZSR DESIGN: Owner, after 3 decades as federal contractor/ military service, is seeking personal, internal peace and wants to share with others. She designed ZSR from scratch, intent on 3 floors aligned to promote relaxation, conversation and emotional connection:

1st Flr- Open space with Coastal and water theme. If reserved, Chef-led Cooking Classes will be conducted in the kitchen.
2d Flr- 3 bedrooms, hallway adorned with with Impressionist recreations from Van Gogh, Suerat, O'Keefe, etc. Master/ Primary Suite features sunset balcony, and amazing, private glass shower. Custom Shower was designed with facing double, seated benches, rain shower heads and body jets, LED niche promotes/ enhances communications and connection for Guests.
3d Flr- Open space with Yoga loft/ multi-entertainment relaxation area. TV cart is easily moved for yoga or sound therapy. Guided Yoga sessions can be reserved 2 weeks in advance. 3rd balcony has beautiful waterfront views, ideal for Sunset massages with licensed masseuse. Astronomy designed full bathroom for refreshing to cleanse after holistic services.

Optional On-Premise Services: ZSR is delighted to coordinate for private Chef-Led Cooking Classes, Sunset Massages, Guided Meditation/ Sound Therapy, or Mixology Classes. The experiences are for an additional fee, based on availability and # of Guests. Please let Host know 2 weeks in advance.

Other Notes:
Lower Level is the owners' private quarters, not available/nor included in the rental. ZSR has separate, independent entry from the owners' suite. Owner may be on site during a rental to ensure top quality PEACE experience. Our goal is to earn your 5-star Zen experience!

For the safety and security of our guests, community, and property, the primary guest is required to present a valid government-issued photo ID upon arrival. As part of our commitment to providing a safe and secure experience, and in response to the increase in AI-generated identity fraud and vacation rental scams, we verify the identity of all primary guests at check-in.

PARKING: ZSR has space for 6 cars. Local ordinance prohibits street/ shoulder parking due to narrow width of waterfront peninsula. Closest Public parking is at Chalk Point BBQ at intersection of Chalk Point Rd and Muddy Creek. Private shuttles can be coordinate for a fee.

County Registration number - 001046

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Primary guest IDs are verified by Guest Ambassador at check-in to help prevent fraud and protect guests, neighbors, and our property to keep all safe.
Booking guest must stay onsite for the entire reservation. Bookings made on behalf of other guests are not permitted.
Quiet hours 9pm-8am. Full Retreat rules can be found on our website - https://----------------

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4504268vb
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 and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Map
West River, MD

What's nearby

  • Franklin Point State Park - 4 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Northern Chesapeake Bay - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Parker Creek - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Galesville Heritage Museum - 9 min drive - 10.0 km
  • Shadyside Park - 9 min drive - 9.9 km

Getting around

  • Bowie State Station - 40 min drive
  • Fort Meade, MD (FME-Tipton) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bayside Bull - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Boat House - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪South County Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪7-Eleven - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Pirates Cove Restaurant - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Zen Sunset Retreat on Waterfront at West River, MD pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Zen Sunset Retreat on Waterfront at West River, MD?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Zen Sunset Retreat on Waterfront at West River, MD?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Zen Sunset Retreat on Waterfront at West River, MD?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Zen Sunset Retreat on Waterfront at West River, MD located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 2.4 mi (3.8 km) from Franklin Point State Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Chesapeake Bay and Northern Chesapeake Bay. Parker Creek and Shadyside Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 10 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 10 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was great. Plenty of space for everyone and a beautiful setting for everyone to enjoy. Communication was very easy and we received prompt responses. The owner even purchased a coffee grinder for us. We would definitely stay again. Highly recommend this house.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Aug, 2026
Gail's group were communicative and responsive through out visit. They respected house rules and very clean. It was delightful hosting and hope they will choose ZSR for future vacations!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful, comfortable property, as described and more!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved staying at the Zen Sunset Retreat. The host, Thu, is very kind and generous! The house is spacious and modern!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2025
Pietro's party were considerate Guests. They were helpful and left house in good condition! I would host them again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had 5 couples staying in this property for 2 nights for reunion and crabbing. We enjoyed this place a lot! We had a wonderful reunion and caught quite a lot of crabs with good size. We brought our own kayaks to do kayaking over there. The water was calm to do kayaking. Most of boats on the bay were electric boat, so it was quite. The check-in assistant Stacy was very nice and helpful! Thanks Stacy! We may come back next year!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Aug, 2026
We're glad our crab preparations made the best of your group's short visit. Please consider ZSR next year.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home. Wonderful communication between the host and Stacy our guest ambassador.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Oct, 2025
Thank you for your generous review. We are honored to host your Renaissance weekend and hope you will visit ZSR again soon.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location!

We were in the area for the Naval Academy induction. Traveling from Ohio and Alabama, we always choose to stay somewhere that we can relax between sightseeing. This location was perfect for that! Peaceful setting with easy access to local food options. We were able to get to Annapolis in 30 minutes and also did a day in DC. The house is well-stocked with everything you need to cook at home and the beds were very comfortable. We would definitely stay here again if we were back in the area!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Jul, 2025
Thank you for your review and appreciate your suggestions. ZSR is new and we'll implement to improve Guest experience. Please come again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
ZSR is an absolutely incredible getaway. The home is immaculate and comfortably accommodated my group of 11 people. It's completely updated and even includes amenities like a paddle boat, grill, and fishing rods. I can't stress how helpful and friendly the hosts, Thu and Stacy, are. They made it very easy to ensure we had everything we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent clean retreat

The house and space was amazing, very well thought out, stocked, organized, labeled. Seems like she didn’t know how to return deposit without closing out the case, and she was just waiting for her scissors to be returned. I would write a good review
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2025
Thank you for returning scissors. The insurance deposit is not under my control and I'm glad they finally released it.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Great space to enjoy vacation with a large family. Host is amazing definitely recommend…..
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Aug, 2026
It was a pleasure to share ZSR with the Littlejohn's Family! They were flexible, communicative, and respected community and house rules. We hope you will consider ZSR again for future life celebrations and reunions! Team ZSR
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great stay! Our host was helpful and communicated well when we needed something. Great spot!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Jun, 2026
Tom, It was a pleasure hosting your party. Please keep ZSR in mind for future relaxation staycations and family events! Thank you for choosing our waterfront retreat!

About the host

Hosted by Thu Stubbs

Host profile image
I grew up in Asia, Germany and the Annapolis area, and love of the Chesapeake Bay, it's tributaries and wetlands. After transitioning from Army service, I purchased the Chalk Point property in 1996, when my kids was born, to have a place to sea kayak, relax and de-stress. I'm a classic car enthusiast, world traveler, summit Kilimanjaro and now lead Kili Walking Group of 2700+ members.

After working 3 decades as federal contractor turned Entrepreneur, I made command decision to make my American Dream come true. I embarked on complete tear down to transform to build Zen Sunset Retreat. ZSR's intent is to promote wellness, holistic services to optimize metabolic physical and mental health. ZSR is registered with AA County and debut Apr 1, 2025.

ZSR has the most serene Sunsets, nature trail and water energy to relax your Spirit and calm cortisol, the stress hormone. Entire house/detail is designed by Owner with each floor align with the 3 chahkra layers: physical, emotional and spiritual. You can always make more money but you can't make more time. May you have a beautiful time and memories at ZSR! We provide the Peace; You do YOU.

Why they chose this property

After kids born, wanted waterfront for family times.
Owner enjoyed sea kayaking, scuba diving, grew up Annapolis area
wetlands, wildlife, chesapeake vibe. Built ZSR to share with other families, successful executives and world travelers, to de-stress, relax and heal.
Provide respite from hectic, uber-active treadmill of work, responsibilities, and social media of modern life.

What makes this property unique

Stunning unobstructed sunset views!
Chalk Point peninsula was featured in 1998 movie "Deep Impact" starting Tea Leonie Robert Duvall and Morgan Freeman, about comet/asteroid hitting Earth and threat of ending life as we know it.
Nature trail 15-20 minute walk thru wetlands. 100' pier has bench, step down for your kayaks, small crafts. Fishing, crabbing off the pier. Pair the Jimmy Buffet, slow waterfront vibe while noshing on wine and cheese as the Sun retires in the unobstructed horizon!
Holistic services available at ZSR:
VIP Sunset Massages with Licensed masseuse
Facials
Reikki
Yoga
Personal "Farm to Table" chef
Coordinate dates and availabilty with Host.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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