CHATHAM BARS INN
If you are thinking about a trip to Cape Cod this summer, consider staying at the Chatham Bars Inn. Within walking distance of downtown Chatham, this sprawling resort provides easy access to golf, shopping and dining, and plenty of sunshine. Situated on 25 acres of beachfront property along the Cape, this hotel, resort, and spa effortlessly combine old world charm with modern amenities. It is a fantastic spot for families with access to the beach, a pool and tennis courts, boat rental options, and a number of restaurants.
On our vacation, we stayed in the Cranberry Cottage located adjacent to the main inn. This particular cottage was a great size, family-friendly and had the Cape Cod feel I was hoping for with its minimalist interior and high-end amenities such as Molton Brown toiletries in each bathroom. The cost of the room was a bit high in my opinion; however, with so much to do on property, your accomodations are more like a rest stop to refresh, than somewhere you will spend a significant amount of time. On a future trip, I would book a room in the Main Inn, a more upscale stay than the cottages which better cater to large groups and families.
There are four great spots to dine on property including: Stars, The Veranda, Sacred Cod and the Beach House Grill. All of these locations source from their property-owned farm which produces over 100,000 pounds of food and 125 varieties of vegetables using cutting-edge hydroponics and bee-keeping techniques. Each season, the farm also hosts a number of farm-to-table events. All seafood is sourced from fresh, local seafood vendors along the Cape and South Shore, including menu highlights such as lobster rolls, calamari, oysters and fresh fish. For our group, each of the three locations we dined at offered a new favorite dish.
The Beach House Grill had a wonderful burrata salad and shrimp cocktail. The Sacred Cod had a delicious roasted cod in creole lobster sauce served with jasmine rice, broccoli and spicy greens, as well as seared scallops with english pea puree, artichokes, sugar peas and tendrils. The Veranda offered decadent Cape Cod oysters, lightly dressed lobster in a lemon aioli on a brioche roll and fries, and one of the best sangrias I have tried made with lychee, rosé and fruit juice making for a refreshing summer cocktail.
At the many restaurant options, including the Sacred Cod and The Veranda, diners can choose from a variety of local beers and delicious cocktails to enjoy with their meal. The draft list offered selections from Devil’s Purse and Cisco, to name a few, with can and bottle options including Aeronaut, Progression, and Barnstable Brewing. The Barnstable Blueberry Ale was perfect for the warm weather, light-drinking and delightfully fruity in flavor. And, for travelers seeking places to visit on the drive back to Boston, Barnstable Brewing’s taproom can be found in Hyannis with an excellent lineup of beers to sample.
Travel Tip
Chatham Bars Inn often partners with Amex Platinum Travel & Chase Sapphire Benefits; however, I would recommend booking directly through the on-site concierge. The team at Chatham Bars Inn is very helpful at prioritizing individual needs for travelers. If you’d rather use perks available to you then I would book through Amex Travel using the American Express Travel platinum concierge service or in app. If you choose to do so a few of the perks include: daily breakfast for two, room upgrade when available, 12 pm check-in when available, $100 experience credit and complimentary wi-fi.
Song Suggestion for Chatham is Family by Chainsmokers and Kygo. This song evokes vibes of good times, memories, connection and the importance of taking time for loved ones.
