Few domestic vacation destinations are more iconic than Cape Cod, Mass. For generations, visitors have been coming to the region to escape the dense cities of the Northeast and find seaside relaxation. And for nearly as long as people have come to Cape Cod, the Chatham Bars Inn has welcomed them.
Opened in 1914, the property started as a hunting lodge for wealthy Bostonians. Today, the upscale 217-room inn serves as a hub for exploring the charming town of Chatham and the rest of the Cape — plus, it’s preferred by Signature Travel Network and Virtuoso, and is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ “Legend” Collection and Historic Hotels of America. With $100 million invested in the property by the owners, the inn features a wide range of quaint and comfortable accommodation options, classic fine dining, an ever-growing roster of activities and top-notch service. Despite being one of the oldest hotels in the region, it continues to provide the modern luxury visitors have come to expect.
Around the Inn: Guestrooms, Cottages and Public Spaces
If you’re like me, when you hear the word “inn,” you imagine one self-contained building. In fact, Chatham Bars Inn comprises a collection of buildings scattered among 25 acres, with a large selection of guestroom options that are ideal for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, a group celebration and more.
There are some rooms available in the main lodge — the oldest structure — as well as guestrooms in more modern buildings, many of which have ocean views. There are also multi-bedroom residences available to rent on property. On my recent stay in a Deluxe Cottage Room, I found the guestroom cozy but with plenty of charming details, including a built-in window bench and a homey breakfast table. The bathroom provided a shower/bathtub combination. While classic, the room also featured modern amenities, such as central air/heat, a flat-screen television and powerful Wi-Fi.
The inn’s location — close to the quaint downtown of Chatham — means guests can also enjoy a leisurely stroll along Main Street for a taste of life on the Cape.
As comfortable as the guestrooms are, clients are going to want to explore the public areas of the property. In the main building, the South Lounge features comfortable antique chairs and sofas, classic board games and a large fireplace, while the picturesque Library — available for private dining and small meetings — harkens back to the inn’s beginnings as a hunting lodge.
When the weather is good, the open-air Bayview Terrace is a great spot for handcrafted cocktails, light bites and live musical performances, all with stunning views of Chatham Harbor.
Across a small road near the inn’s private beach, guests will find oceanfront cabanas, a large swimming pool, tennis courts, bike rentals and more. During my visit, I took the complimentary boat shuttle from the inn’s dock to North Beach Island across the harbor. Once there, I was left to enjoy a nearly deserted stretch of Atlantic Ocean-facing beach — joined only by the occasional seal — before the boat picked me up for the short ride back.
Guestrooms are modern and comfortable.
Credit: 2022 Chatham Bars InnDining Choices Galore
When it comes to dining, Chatham Bars Inn features four main eateries. Open for breakfast and dinner, Stars is one of the top fine-dining spots in all of Cape Cod, serving reimagined classic dishes with a modern take on Americana. (Norman Rockwell’s “Spirit of America” painting hangs above the fireplace here.)
Another option for lunch and dinner is the Sacred Cod, which serves casual comfort food along with an extensive selection of whiskeys and craft beers. Tell clients they should try the inn’s own house brand of Maker’s Mark whisky.
The Library is ideal for small meetings and private dinners.
Credit: 2022 Chatham Bars InnBut perhaps the most coveted spot at the inn is The Veranda, where diners can enjoy ocean breezes and views of Chatham Harbor on the large front porch. Here, guests can dine on New England favorites and sip award-winning cocktails. The Veranda is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Finally, the Beach House Grill is located right on the inn’s private beach and is open for grab-and-go breakfast, as well as casual lunch and dinner.
All of the inn’s dining venues feature locally sourced produce and seafood. (The Chatham town fishing pier is less than a mile down the beach from the inn.) Chatham Bars Inn also operates its own 8-acre farm, which is available for open-air, farm-to-table, family-style dinners.
Activities and Adventures
Travel advisors looking to book Chatham Bars Inn should be sure to check on the latest range of activities available to guests. The creative team at the property is constantly adding new options for visitors.
Just last month, Chatham Bars Inn and Lexus teamed up to launch the Lexus Ultimate Beach Drive Experience, an off-road excursion that provides access to Cape Cod’s shoreline in the comfort of a Lexus GX460. Once guests arrive at the beach, a support team from the property will set up camp with shade, chairs, blankets, towels, games and fishing rods, along with a picnic lunch and beverages. As an add-on, the inn will include a private clambake or a beach campfire pit with the assistance of one of the inn’s chefs.
The inn will arrange a private clambake with the help of a chef.
Credit: 2022 Chatham Bars InnOther activities at Chatham Bars Inn are water-focused — including whale watching, great white shark excursions, sailing, kayaking and the only Orvis saltwater fishing program in Massachusetts. There are also land-based options, such as golf, tennis, farm visits, culinary excursions and cycling tours. In the off-season, the inn even hosts cooking classes and artist retreats.
The inn’s location — close to the quaint downtown of Chatham — means guests can also enjoy a leisurely stroll along Main Street for a taste of life on the Cape.
While the range of activities is truly impressive, the staff at Chatham Bars Inn understands the top draw for visitors is simply the natural beauty of the region. The real luxury of a visit to the property is the chance to take a nap on an empty beach and feel far away from the chaos of the world — all while knowing that anything you might want is just a request away.
