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The 38 Essential Cape and Islands Hotels

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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.


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The Dan'l Webster Inn and Spa

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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.

Belfry Inne & Bistro

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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.

Sea Crest Beach Hotel

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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.

Inn on the Square

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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.

ShoreWay Acres Inn

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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.

Lamb and Lion Inn

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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.

Fernbrook Inn

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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.

Cape Codder Resort & Spa

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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.

Hyannis Harbor Hotel

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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.

Anchor In

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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.

Bayside Resort

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This solar powered resort overlooks Lewis Bay and provides good value for immaculately clean and comfortable lodging.

The Inn at Cape Cod

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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.

Cape Cod Irish Village

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"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.

The Surfcomber on the Ocean

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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.

The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn

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A classic looking exterior and modern interior help this unique, award-winning bed and breakfast stand out in the crowd.

Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club

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Both the Mansion side and the Villages of the Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club have been offering casual elegance and endless amenities since 1986.

Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

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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.

Chatham Bars Inn

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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.

The Captain's House Inn

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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."

The Orleans Inn

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Overlooking Town Cove, this centrally-located historic waterfront inn features 11 simple guest rooms, modern amenities, a restaurant, and bar.

Harbor Hotel

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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.

Crowne Point Historic Inn and Spa

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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.

Boatslip Resort

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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.

Land's End Inn

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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.

The Red Inn

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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.

Provincetown Inn

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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.

Mansion House

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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.

Dockside Inn

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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.

Pequot Hotel

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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.

Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites

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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.

Winnetu Oceanside Resort

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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.

White Elephant

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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.

The Nantucket Hotel + Resort

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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.

Union Street Inn

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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.

Centerboard Inn

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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.

Nantucket Inn

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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.

Cliffside Beach Club

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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.

The Wauwinet

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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.

The Dan'l Webster Inn and Spa

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.

Belfry Inne & Bistro

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.

Sea Crest Beach Hotel

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.

Inn on the Square

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.

ShoreWay Acres Inn

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.

Lamb and Lion Inn

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.

Fernbrook Inn

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.

Cape Codder Resort & Spa

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.