Welcome to the first-ever edition of Curbed's Hotel 38 map, your answer to the question, "Where should I stay on the Cape and Islands?" From low-key to luxury, this eclectic group covers Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. We'll be updating the map on every few months, adding pertinent hotels that were omitted, have become newly eligible (hotels must be open at least six months to qualify for the 38), or have stepped up their respective games.
For those of you readying the pitchforks because your favorite isn't included, wouldn't it just be more productive to tip us for next time? State your cases for (or against) hotels in the comments or through the tipline.
Located in the center of the oldest town on Cape Cod, this Sandwich inn has offered lodging for over 300 years. Each of the 48 guest rooms and suites of The Dan'l Webster Inn is appointed with period furnishings and the property includes and outdoor pool plus five distinctive dining rooms.
Transformed from a neglected 1872 Victorian home, a former Catholic Church and a circa 1830 Federal-style building, the Belfry Inne and Bistro has been a charming bed and breakfast in historic Sandwich Village since opening in 1995. The 23 romantic guest rooms, spa services and restaurant are divided between The Painted Lady, The Abbey and The Village House.
The beachfront Sea Crest Beach hotel has been recently renovated. There are 263 guest rooms and suites, indoor and outdoor saline pools and one of the Cape's largest conference facilities. The new restaurant, Red's, is named after a previous hotel owner, the Celtic's legend Red Auerbach.
This Upper Cape luxury hotel is steps from Falmouth Village Green and the Martha's Vineyard ferry dock. Rates are reasonable for the 73 guest rooms and suites. Plus, there's even a skylit indoor pool.
Walk to everything from this family-owned and managed inn. The 80 rooms, suites and cottage blend features of a B&B with more contemporary amenities. There are indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and meeting facilities on-site.
This award-winning bed and breakfast inn with the spirit of a small luxury hotel is amenity-packed and adult-friendly (guests ages 10+ can stay in the busier months though). Choose from rooms with fireplaces, suites with kitchenettes, a converted horse stable, or a barn from the 1740s. There's an on-site yoga studio, breakfast is served when you want it, a year-round hot tub, and a solar-heated pool.
Previous owners of The Fernbrook, a Queen Anne shingle style built in 1881 with grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, include Herbert Kalmus, the inventor of Technicolor, and Cardinal Francis Spellman of New York City. Two U.S. Presidents, Walt Disney and Gloria Swanson also chose Fernbrook as a summer destination. Post-renovation, the period furnishings, floor-to-ceiling fireplaces and stained glass windows remain, but a 50-foot lap pool was added to the grounds.
Rumored to be where Oprah and her BFF Gayle stayed while in town for Eunice Kennedy Shriver's funeral (and subsequently, the location of Pie-Gate) the Cape Codder is best known for its awesome Indoor Wave Pool and family-friendly vibe.
You could roll out of bed to the Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard ferries from the Hyannis Harbor Hotel. The new shingle style exterior and nautically-inspired interior isn't known for the amenities or service, but the convenient location could make it worth the price if you're headed to the islands.
Location, location, location. Overlooking Hyannis Harbor, the Anchor In is one of the few year-round waterfront hotels on Cape Cod and is quite a bargain in the off-season. It also holds the title as the only waterfront hotel in Hyannis. With walkability to the ferries, restaurants, shops, and beaches, there's little need for a car when staying at the Anchor In.
This classic New England bed and breakfast inn has been compared to a small boutique hotel. Opened in 1830 as the Sears Hotel, The Inn at Cape Cod has seven luxury rooms and suites, all recently remodeled.
"The best of Ireland on Cape Cod" since 1976, The Irish Village is a destination in itself. The 130 mini-suites are moderately priced and the property features indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant as well as a pub offering traditional Irish entertainment.
A family-friendly seasonal resort, The Surfcomber offers moderately priced rooms to more expensive ocean front suites. The property features a private beach on Nantucket Sound, a heated outdoor pool and -naturally - a shuffleboard court.
Twenty-two historic buildings, 120 guest rooms and suites, four restaurants, two pools, two beaches, four Har Tru tennis courts, 18 holes of golf, and one pirate ship playground all in one Harwich resort.
The iconic Chatham Bars Inn has been in operation since 1914. The luxury resort sits on 25 acres on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is chock full of amenities, including: a state-of-the-art fitness center, clay tennis courts, and The Spa with individual suites featuring hydrotherapy tubs, saunas, steam showers, and the Chatham Bars Inn signature fireplace.
A Main House, attached Carriage House, Stables and 200-year old "bow roof cape" called the Captains Cottage make up the 16 guest quarters at The Captain's House Inn. Gourmet country breakfasts are served in the morning and English tea in the afternoon. There are accolades aplenty for "The Cape's finest small inn."
Formerly the Cape Inn, the year round, full-service Harbor Hotel got a full-scale nip and tuck in 2011. The water view hotel now boasts 128 beachy and modern guest rooms in addition to 10 suites, some of which are pet friendly.
This 40-room landmark boutique hotel resides in a classic 140-year old Cape Cod Sea Captain's estate. The six architecturally restored buildings include a main mansion, award-winning day spa and fine dining restaurant.
This waterfront hotel is an iconic gay and lesbian destination and home of the world famous Tea Dance - a daily outdoor dance party. The rates have more to do with the prime location and amenities than the rooms.
This West End inn has 18 luxurious, themed guest rooms and ocean views for days. The hilltop location is off the beaten path, yet close enough to walk to PTown activities.
Located on Provincetown Harbor, The Red Inn has been welcoming guests, including U.S. Presidents and celebrities, since 1915. The 200 year-old property is full of old world ambiance and understated sophistication.
Literally located on the tip of Cape Cod with an iconic Olympic sized pool in the shape of a pilgrim's hat, the Provincetown Inn is a classic. The resort is older, but the edge-of-the-continent location makes for a relatively good value.
Established in 1791 and rebuilt in 2003, the guest rooms, spa and health club at the Mansion House feature 21st century amenities. There's a harbor viewing cupola and a limited number of rooms are pet friendly.
Move over Siri, Loomis the virtual concierge has got things covered at this Oak Bluffs boutique hotel. The design for the 21 rooms is contemporary with whimsical nautical decor and modern convenience. There are afternoon cookies and a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud courtesy car to complete the picture.
Nestled among the historic gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs, this 32 room hotel exudes charm with classic cottage decor, porches adorned with latticework and modern amenities (air conditioning is definitely charming). It's just a block from the beach and close to the ferry and Circuit Avenue.
Overlooking Edgartown Harbor the historic waterfront, the Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites first opened as the Colonial Inn in 1911. Fully renovated in 2011, the hotel features cozy rooms to two-bedroom luxury suites.
This family-owned resort consists of a main hotel with 1-4 bedroom suites, private cottages, 3-5 bedroom vacation home rentals, and the oceanview Lure Grill.
One of the few Nantucket hotels to be considered an island landmark, the waterfront White Elephant is home to the equally iconic Brant Point Grill. Overlooking Nantucket Harbor, the luxury hotel features 66 guest rooms, suites and garden cottages. Stylish, immaculate and pricey with impecable service.
Established in 1871, The Nantucket Hotel & Resort was completely renovated by new owners in 2012, retaining the traditional Nantucket feel while adding a dash of beachy modern.
This in-town boutique hotel features 12 rooms, described by Conde Nast Traveler as "impeccable New England by-way-of-France." The signature amenity is the made-to-order gourmet breakfast with signature dishes like French Toast made with local Challah bread.
This former whaling captain's manse was completely remodeled in 2012. The seven-guestroom Centerboard Inn now combines antique architectural detail of the late-Victorian era with contemporary coastal elegance.
Now open for their 27th season, the Nantucket Inn has the charm of a historic inn with the amenities of a larger resort hotel, including an indoor pool.
Family-owned since 1958, this combination of a boutique hotel and private beach club offers guests a range of amenities rarely found at a resort with only 22 accomodations. An upscale, but laid back resort with prices to match the former.
Nantucket's only member of the Relais & Chateaux, The Wauwinet's incomparable setting neighbors Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge and features private beaches on both the Atlantic Ocean and Nantucket Bay. Known for the 33 posh guest rooms, impecable customer service and the hotel restaurant, Toppers.
Located in the center of the oldest town on Cape Cod, this Sandwich inn has offered lodging for over 300 years. Each of the 48 guest rooms and suites of The Dan'l Webster Inn is appointed with period furnishings and the property includes and outdoor pool plus five distinctive dining rooms.
Transformed from a neglected 1872 Victorian home, a former Catholic Church and a circa 1830 Federal-style building, the Belfry Inne and Bistro has been a charming bed and breakfast in historic Sandwich Village since opening in 1995. The 23 romantic guest rooms, spa services and restaurant are divided between The Painted Lady, The Abbey and The Village House.
The beachfront Sea Crest Beach hotel has been recently renovated. There are 263 guest rooms and suites, indoor and outdoor saline pools and one of the Cape's largest conference facilities. The new restaurant, Red's, is named after a previous hotel owner, the Celtic's legend Red Auerbach.
This Upper Cape luxury hotel is steps from Falmouth Village Green and the Martha's Vineyard ferry dock. Rates are reasonable for the 73 guest rooms and suites. Plus, there's even a skylit indoor pool.
Walk to everything from this family-owned and managed inn. The 80 rooms, suites and cottage blend features of a B&B with more contemporary amenities. There are indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and meeting facilities on-site.
This award-winning bed and breakfast inn with the spirit of a small luxury hotel is amenity-packed and adult-friendly (guests ages 10+ can stay in the busier months though). Choose from rooms with fireplaces, suites with kitchenettes, a converted horse stable, or a barn from the 1740s. There's an on-site yoga studio, breakfast is served when you want it, a year-round hot tub, and a solar-heated pool.
Previous owners of The Fernbrook, a Queen Anne shingle style built in 1881 with grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, include Herbert Kalmus, the inventor of Technicolor, and Cardinal Francis Spellman of New York City. Two U.S. Presidents, Walt Disney and Gloria Swanson also chose Fernbrook as a summer destination. Post-renovation, the period furnishings, floor-to-ceiling fireplaces and stained glass windows remain, but a 50-foot lap pool was added to the grounds.
Rumored to be where Oprah and her BFF Gayle stayed while in town for Eunice Kennedy Shriver's funeral (and subsequently, the location of Pie-Gate) the Cape Codder is best known for its awesome Indoor Wave Pool and family-friendly vibe.