Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Gibson.
Hi Ben, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I literally grew up in the hospitality industry—my family actually raised me as a baby in what is now our hotel’s office welcome wing. Eventually, my parents, who were incredibly talented innkeepers, built a house for us on the far side of our waterfront property.
My first official ‘job’ as a kid was picking up cigarette butts in the Robert Morris Inn parking lot for a penny a piece; whenever someone dumped their car ashtray, it felt like finding hidden treasure! For about forty years, my parents owned and operated both the Robert Morris Inn and Sandaway, eventually focusing solely on Sandaway Suites & Beach to keep it in the family.
Over the years, I truly worked my way up every single rung of the ladder. My brother and I graduated from earning pennies to selling bags of corn to tourists to feed the local mallard ducks. From there, I moved into weeding and lawn care, worked my way into the dishwashing department, transitioned to glass washing at the bar, and eventually became a bartender, maître d’, and property manager.
Following roles as assistant innkeeper and innkeeper, my wife Santy (who now serves as our brilliant Creative Director) and I officially took the reins. Today, I am the General Manager and third-generation owner of Sandaway Suites & Beach, proudly carrying on a family tradition that has thrived on the Eastern Shore for over 50 years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, and our greatest challenge came recently. In December 2024, my dad, Ken, passed away. The loss to our family, to my personal life, and to the business brought immense pain and a completely new set of challenges.
In the wake of his passing, my mom showed incredible strength, continuing to carry on his legacy of warmth, hospitality, and generosity. However, we soon recognized that it was time for the business to transition to the third generation. To lighten the daily stress of the business on my mom and ensure our family’s heritage kept moving forward, my wife, Santy, and I made the decision to officially take the reins. Navigating that emotional transition while keeping our standards high was incredibly challenging, but it has deepened our commitment to keeping the spirit of my parents’ and Santy’s parents’ hard work alive in everything we do.
To honor my dad, Santy and I had a dedicated mooring ball installed in the deeper waters directly in front of the hotel, welcoming sailboats and yachts up to 55 feet. The mooring ball bears my dad’s initials and naval hull number, KHG-BB62, to honor his time spent serving aboard the battleship USS New Jersey during the Vietnam War. It stands as a lasting symbol of his legacy, anchoring our history to the waters he loved.
We’ve been impressed with Sandaway Suites & Beach, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What We Do & What Sets Us Apart
Sandaway Suites & Beach is a historic, adults-only boutique hotel nestled on the waterfront in Oxford, Maryland. What truly sets us apart is our focus on restorative tranquility. We offer a rare, distraction-free sanctuary where couples and travelers can unplug, unwind, and truly hear the water. Unlike larger corporate resorts, our property blends the intimate charm of a historic waterfront estate with the independent luxury of private suites, all positioned on a breathtaking stretch of private Chesapeake Bay beach.
Our Specialities & Guest Offerings
We specialize in curated, effortless relaxation. We are widely known for our expansive, manicured lawn dotted with iconic Adirondack chairs facing the water, offering a front-row seat to the best sunsets on the Eastern Shore. Our signature guest experience includes our curated ‘Coffee by Seven™’ service and a premium Grab & Go continental breakfast delivered fresh every morning, allowing guests to savor their morning coffee right on their private porches or by the water’s edge. For those looking to explore, we provide bicycle and kayak rentals directly on-site through local partners, making it seamless to experience Oxford’s historic charm by land or sea. We’ve also recently reintroduced exclusive full-property buyouts and intimate wedding ceremonies, creating a beautiful canvas for couples to celebrate milestones.
What We Are Most Proud Of Brand-Wise
Brand-wise, we are immensely proud of our 56-year family legacy and our deep-rooted connection to the local community. We are passionate supporters of local history and the arts, serving as official sponsors for events like Plein Air Easton and hosting local art workshops right on our grounds. We also believe that luxury shouldn’t come at the cost of the environment. We are incredibly proud of our commitment to green hospitality, powered by our geothermal heating and cooling system and a dedicated push to reduce single-use plastics across the property.
What We Want Readers to Know
If there is one thing readers should know about the Sandaway brand, it’s that we don’t just sell hotel rooms; we provide a restorative space to breathe. Guided by a third generation of family ownership, every detail—from the artistic eye of my wife and Creative Director, Santy, to our deep respect for the maritime heritage of the Tred Avon River—is designed to make you feel completely at home, entirely at peace, and deeply connected to the natural beauty of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was anchored by a deep love for my family, a natural entrepreneurial drive, and a quiet determination to excel. I was actually quite introverted and shy as a child, finding my voice primarily through sports and academics. That focus paid off when I attended Salisbury State University, where I had the privilege of playing as high as number two on the collegiate tennis team and graduating summa cum laude.
Over the years, I’ve intentionally pushed past that childhood shyness and discovered the incredible joy and benefits of being outgoing—a trait that serves me well every day in the hospitality industry, where my energy comes from making our guests happy.
My core values haven’t changed since I was a kid; I am still deeply motivated by protecting the environment and helping others. In my personal life today, I love channeling that energy into the organic gardens I tend with my wife, Santy. We also share a deep love for travel, and some of our favorite times are spent journeying across the world to visit our family in Indonesia where my wife was born, which brings a wonderful global perspective back to our lives on the Eastern Shore.
Pricing:
- $189 to $489 is the average price rand at Sandaway Suites & Beach https://www.sandaway.com/rooms/
- Wedding ceremony packages start at $2,500 at https://www.sandaway.com/weddings/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sandaway.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss.beach.hotel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sandaway
- Twitter: https://x.com/oxfordmd
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sandaway
- Other: https://www.sandaway.com/reviews/
