getaways

Massachusetts can be a magical place to live and vacation. From the Berkshires to Provincetown, our beautiful Commonwealth has so much to offer and a season for every taste. Cape Cod is one of those places that makes it so special. Gray shingled houses, hydrangeas, endless coastline and sparkling blue sea. My love affair with the Cape began long ago when I vacationed there as a child, and I still seek out every possible opportunity to visit. This past weekend we headed across the Sagamore Bridge and along the Cape to Chatham, where we celebrated our favorite newlyweds at Chatham Bars Inn.

Named as one of the leading hotels in the world, Chatham Bars Inn is an expansive property comprised of cottages and a main building, along with a golf course, beach, several restaurants, and spa. Its views are unparalleled; it is the epitome of Cape Cod luxury. The rooms are simply decorated with a beach house theme, clean, comfortable, and offering luxurious little touches like Nespresso machines and gas fireplaces.  Restaurants in the main building, including Stars and The Veranda offer stunning views of the sea, a perfect place for a glass of wine.

Our friends happened to be having their mini moon in one of the cottages as Chatham Bars Inn, and we enjoyed toasting with bubbles and their delicious handcrafted cocktails while taking in views of the harbor and splashing seals. We spent a lot of time on their balcony, for very good reason.

We also had the fantastic treat of checking out the wine cellar at Chatham Bars Inn’s main building. Their cellar is beautiful, and I could have browsed all day. Guests can plan ahead for wine tastings in this lovely space; I already may have hinted at 35th birthday plans.

The variety of restaurants at Chatham Bars Inn makes for some nice choices throughout the day. Once we had enough of the cool breezes outside, we huddled on cozy couches for drinks and a snack, this gorgeous, smoky, sweet slab of candied bacon.

In addition to its spectacular seaside location, Chatham Bars Inn is also within walking distance to the town of Chatham, and we did a little bit of exploring. Autumn in New England is certainly a special time that people travel the world over to experience. Chatham was dressed in its seasonal finest, and we were feeling pretty lucky to be there.

A long day outside led us to a late dinner out at the Impudent Oyster, a restaurant I would highly recommend. We had the most delightful server and lots of great food like mussels, sizzling garlic shrimp, dumplings, salads, soup and pasta dishes. The menu is extensive, and from what we ordered, delicious. It was perfect to be able to walk to our home for the night along a marshy, moonlit road, listening to frogs and crickets sing their night songs.

Once we retreated to our room, we loved just cozying up in its simple comforts. The beach house decor is inspiring; we are in the process of planning some redecorating, and I would love a serene, beach cottage like home. Instead of watching TV, we listened to classical music and watched the fireplace, feeling a million miles away from the city.

A gorgeous morning, croissants and coffee at Chatham Cookware, and a seal-filled walk on the beach rounded out our perfect little Chatham getaway. It was hard to hop back into the car to sit in bridge traffic, but we both felt rejuvenated and blessed for the wonderful time we had with great friends in a most perfect place.