Only a 1-hour 45-minute drive from Boston, Chatham Bars Inn was recently named America’s best waterfront hotel by USA Today. USA Today travel experts narrowed down their selection of the top 20 waterfront hotels in the country that were later narrowed down to the top 10 based on popular vote of USA Today readers.
With a quarter-mile private beach and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, this classic New England destination has welcomed guests to Cape Cod since 1914. With 25 landscaped acres, poolside and beachfront cabanas and lounges, cottages and five dining areas, there’s a lot to enjoy. Settle into an Adirondack chair, stroll into town or get out on the water to watch the whales.
According to the Chatham Bars Inn website, the resort was built in 1914 as a semi-private hunting lodge for affluent Bostonians on vacation. Shortly after the Inn operated as a farm, producing its own fresh produce and dairy products for use in guest dining. Over 100 years later, the farm continues to offer farm-to-table menus for guests year-round which is part of the incredible experience at Chatham Bars Inn.
Amenities and Activities at the Chatham Bars Inn
There’s a plethora of things to enjoy at the Chatham Bars Inn all within walking distance in every season!
- Private quarter-mile beach along Aunt Lydia’s Cove
- Reserve your own cabana
- Borrow a “fat tire” bike for biking on the sand
- World class spa with body, face, and nail specials
- Fitness center complete with yoga classes and personal training
- Farm-to-table on-site dining
- Private tennis courts
Whether you take a visit in the off-season at a bargain price, or save up for a special trip, you’ll have an elevated and “classic New England experience” according to USA Today. For regular visitors, the Inn offers a membership program. They also offer wedding services and venues for the big day.
Other winning waterfront hotels in New England
While Chatham Bars Inn took home the #1 spot on the list of America’s best waterfront hotels, it wasn’t the only one to represent New England. On the tailcoats of the Chatham Bars Inn is Wentworth by the Sea, A Marriott Hotel and Spa in New Castle, New Hampshire as the second-best waterfront hotel. Wentworth is just about an hour drive from the city.
Taking home, the fourth spot is Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Here you have a beautiful private section of East Beach and are neighboring Taylor Swift’s cliff top waterfront mansion! Watch Hill is a 1 hour 55-minute drive from the city.
While Boston is lovely year-round, it doesn’t hurt knowing three of America’s best waterfront hotels are all within a 2-hour radius!
Find Chatham Bars Inn at 297 Shore Road, Chatham, MA 02633