As return guests, we can confidently say that Holly Knoll keeps getting better! Our previous stays were incredible, but this time was even more special. One of the most impressive updates was how skillfully Jack opened up the waterfront view without removing too many trees. This thoughtful approach not only preserved the natural beauty of the surroundings but also enhanced our experience with breathtaking views of the water. Jack’s attention to detail and dedication to maintaining the property’s charm is evident. The interior was as cozy and inviting as we remembered, and the addition of new amenities (including the larger TV and additional seating) added to the overall comfort of our stay. The salt water pool and private dock continued to be a highlight of our vacation, providing a perfect oasis for relaxation and fun. Once again, Jack’s hospitality was second to none. He was always available to ensure we had everything we needed and went above and beyond to make our stay exceptional. Holly Knoll has become our go-to retreat, and we can’t wait to be back again next year! Thank you, Jack, for making our time at Holly Knoll so memorable.

4th annual visit to this little bit of paradise, So much to do, or just lie by the pool and relax. The one evening lightning storm was spectacular. Great family retreat!

What a wonderful place to stay. The house was very spacious and comfortable with lots of little touches like games, flashlights, stuff for a fire. The kitchen was superb, and we made great meal. The outside was amazing! From the family room you could see the garden and St Mary's River with pier. As a gardener, I loved the landscaping. The pool and hut tub really made it a paradise. Even with the rainy weather, we managed to use the pool except for one day. The dogs loved the fenced in yard. Our family loved it and hope to rent again next year.

This home has everything we needed to enjoy the week in St. Mary’s County. The owner communicated very well, answering our questions and offering suggestions for things to do. I would highly recommend this home for a relaxing time away from the daily grind!

Beautiful location on the St Mary’s River. Excellent house, extensive amenities, great pool and spa. Owner extremely attentive. I would highly recommend this property.

Wonderful vacation at this beautiful house!

The home is clean, spacious and well stocked. We spent some time sight seeing in the area but always left room in each day to enjoy the spa, pool, yard and dock. Like many others before us, being surrounded by nature, enjoying the amazing view and just spending time together relaxing in the yard, pool, spa were the highlight of our trip! Highly recommend!

The house is so warm and welcoming we really could not think of anything more that they could have provided. The pool was beautiful, we couldn’t keep our daughter out of it or the sauna. Our son and his wife fished off the dock and kayaked the days away. Close to other activities and yet feel like you are in your own paradise. Loved it

This was our third summer to visit. Wonderful! Each year we make new family memories. Already planning year four. Wonderful host, too.

Amazing views, gorgeous home. Jack was accessible and communicated quickly. The pool was where we spent 6 hours a day. Went to dock caught my grandsons first fish, crabs. Saw 2 bald eagles… already booked for next year(that says it all!)

Located on the St. Mary's river, with a dock and a swimming pool, as well as well landscaped grounds offering privacy, the house is both comfortable and attractive. The kitchen is well equipped, there are 2 bedrooms with king-size beds, another 2 bedrooms in the house plus a 1 bedroom boathouse loft paid for separately. We relaxed and appreciated everything on offer except the new owners didn't know canoe paddles were needed--that will be remedied next year. The host Jack is very cordial and wants to please, helpful. We much appreciated his efforts and willingness to refund when some of our family could not attend at the last minute...We recommend this highly.

We had an amazing week relaxing by the pool, fishing and just hanging with the family. Holly knoll is a true nature lover’s retreat. We saw turtles, frogs, hummingbirds and tons of butterflies while enjoying the yard. We picked up fresh eggs and meat from the local farm, went to Solomons Island for great crab cake dinner at the Island Hideaway and shopped at the farmers market on Wednesday. Thanks Jack for a wonderful stay!

We had an amazing week relaxing by the pool, fishing and just hanging with the family. Holly knoll is a true nature lover’s retreat. We saw turtles, frogs, hummingbirds and tons of butterflies while enjoying the yard. We picked up fresh eggs and meat from the local farm, went to Solomons Island for great crab cake dinner at the Island Hideaway and shopped at the farmers market on Wednesday. Thanks Jack for a wonderful stay!

This was our 3rd stay, first with the new owner Jack who was very responsive and accommodating. It was also our first stay including the boat house. We were 6 adults with dogs. Go and enjoy you won't regret.

We just returned from two weeks at Holly Knoll. It was a great two weeks away! The house is super clean. The pool area is fantastic. We loved going down to the dock to just take in the views of the river. The kitchen really is fully stocked with equipment for your cooking needs! Jack is super responsive and helpful!

We had a fabulous two-week vacation at Holly Knoll! This is our second year and we have already booked for next summer. Gorgeous waterfront house and grounds with stunning views of St. Marys River (We had coffee each morning on the dock.) Jack is extremely responsive, friendly and accommodating. Could not ask for a better host! The house and grounds are immaculate. The property is secluded and private yet only a few miles from stores and local attractions. We highly recommend taking advantage of events happening at St. Mary’s College! We attended the outdoor jazz concert one day and the Beer Fest another day. St. Mary’s City and College has much history. Holly Knoll is an oasis. A dream vacation spot.

We had a fabulous two-week vacation at Holly Knoll! This is our second year and we have already booked for next summer. Gorgeous waterfront house and grounds with stunning views of St. Marys River (We had coffee each morning on the dock.) Jack is extremely responsive, friendly and accommodating. Could not ask for a better host! The house and grounds are immaculate. The property is secluded and private yet only a few miles from stores and local attractions. We highly recommend taking advantage of events happening at St. Mary’s College! We attended the outdoor jazz concert one day and the Beer Fest another day. St. Mary’s City and College has much history. Holly Knoll is an oasis. A dream vacation spot.

Holly Knoll has everything you need for great vacation: private waterfront home on the St. Mary’s River near historic St. Mary’s City; gourmet kitchen; salt-water pool and hot tub; dock; kayaks and canoe; and great crabbing and fishing. We’ve rented the property the last four years and plan to rent again next year.

This is our second stay this year at Holly Knoll. Larry is a fast and easy communicator responding to any question and quick with a solution. This stay included our sister and again our dog. We were all comfortable there. The setting is very relaxing which is exactly what we needed. As long as you dont book the week we want next year, come and enjoy!

The week my family and I had at Holly Knoll was wonderful! It was extremely relaxing with most every day by the pool. The views of the bay were excellent from the house and pool. The dock provided peaceful mornings and beautiful sunsets. Crabbing off the dock was a cinch and Larry's suggestion of chicken thighs for bait was spot on. My kids loved pulling up the traps and watching me get pinched by the crabs :). Larry was a very attentive host answering our questions without delay. Enso's, while a small college bakery, provided one of the best biscuits I recall ever having and the buttermilk white bread was a hit! We really enjoyed the stay and would consider Holly Knoll for a future visit.

The week my family and I had at Holly Knoll was wonderful! It was extremely relaxing with most every day by the pool. The views of the bay were excellent from the house and pool. The dock provided peaceful mornings and beautiful sunsets. Crabbing off the dock was a cinch and Larry's suggestion of chicken thighs for bait was spot on. My kids loved pulling up the traps and watching me get pinched by the crabs :). Larry was a very attentive host answering our questions without delay. Enso's, while a small college bakery, provided one of the best biscuits I recall ever having and the buttermilk white bread was a hit! We really enjoyed the stay and would consider Holly Knoll for a future visit.

We had the best time at Holly Knoll! The property and house are both beautiful and the host, Larry, is super nice, responsive and easy to get in contact with! Our kids (and dog!) had the best time ever and keep asking when we can go back! We highly recommend it to any family!

Lovely views with spa, swimming, crabbing, kayaking, and fire pit. We enjoyed our time so much! Thanks for sharing your comfy home!

Lovely views with spa, swimming, crabbing, kayaking, and fire pit. We enjoyed our time so much! Thanks for sharing your comfy home!

Holly Knoll offers a wonderful waterfront getaway on a calm cove of the St. Mary's River. We divided our time between kayaking on the river, cooling off in the pool, and mellowing out in the spa. The house is located in the midst of woodland. Herons and osprey fly along the edge of the property. Toads croak at poolside during the evening. The kitchen is exceptionally well stocked with high-end equipment. A chef would feel at home. The bedrooms are comfortable, and the bathrooms up to date and clean. The living room/family room is a great place to play games or recline in chairs to read or look outdoors. Our favorite spot was the patio, where we could sit under an umbrella, gazing over the pool and spa at the play of light on the river. Our favorite activities were kayaking and netting crabs. We caught 23 over six days and had wonderful crab cakes on the seventh. Larry was a gracious and responsive host.

Absolutely spectacular spot with something for everyone - swimming, kayaking, crabbing, watching sunsets from the dock, walking distance to St. Mary’s College and City, great kitchen for cooks, and a great Saturday farmer’s market. Larry, the host, is immediately responsive to any question too!

Absolutely spectacular spot with something for everyone - swimming, kayaking, crabbing, watching sunsets from the dock, walking distance to St. Mary’s College and City, great kitchen for cooks, and a great Saturday farmer’s market. Larry, the host, is immediately responsive to any question too!

My family and I spent an incredible week at Holly Knoll. As beautiful as the pictures are, they do not do it justice. Everything exceeded our expectations and Larry could not have been a more pleasant and helpful host. We have already booked another two week stay next year and are already counting down the days! The house, grounds and pool were immaculate upon arrival and Larry was available to answer any questions we had. This was by far the best vacation experience our family has ever had. I highly recommend taking advantage of the crab pots. We caught 36 crabs and had a delicious feast! It is a perfect getaway for people of all ages.

Our first visit, June 2020, was fabulous, so our family of six (oldest son, daughter-in-law, 71/2 yo grandson, nearly 11yo grandson, youngest son & grandmother) eagerly anticipated this year’s (June 2021) visit. We were not disappointed. The Holly Knoll write-up is not an exaggeration. Larry is a perfect host who has created a peaceful, exquisite woodland retreat. The beautiful home with amenities of spa & pool, river dock, kayaks and canoe have something for everyone in the family to enjoy. And enjoy, we did! My nearly 11yo grandson learned to kayak this year. The smile on his face is unforgettable. Memories made here are so precious to me as a senior, and I know will be treasured memories for my family throughout their lives, too. Of course, we’ll be back in 2022!

If you’re looking for the best of wooded waterfront properties this place is for you. Sunset on the dock was beautiful. The hot tub and pool were my favorites. Even cooking was a pleasure in the chef’s kitchen.

Having visited Holly Knoll this past October could not wait to pay a repeat visit - and this time in the late spring/early summer to take real advantage of the River and the pool. The week was again simply glorious. The house and the grounds were perfect for a gathering of friends and dogs. Cannot wait to visit again.

Having visited Holly Knoll this past October could not wait to pay a repeat visit - and this time in the late spring/early summer to take real advantage of the River and the pool. The week was again simply glorious. The house and the grounds were perfect for a gathering of friends and dogs. Cannot wait to visit again.