Where to Stay in Cape Cod (5 Best Places)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Cape Cod | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ

Born and raised in Massachusetts, I love exploring the beach towns in my home state, and Cape Cod is one of my favorite destinations. 

In this guide, I’ll point you to the best places to stay on Cape Cod. This way, you can get the quintessential New England summer experience with beaches, fresh seafood, cutesy shops, blooming hydrangeas, and more!

If you’re looking for the classic Cape Cod experience, I recommend staying in Chatham. It has beautiful beaches and a downtown with shops and restaurants to check out. Plus, it’s driving distance to Provincetown or the ferries in Hyannis. 

My top recommended hotel is Chatham Bars Inn. This 5-star hotel features beautiful ocean views, a private beach area, and plenty of amenities. 

But if Chatham doesn’t sound like the right fit for you, no worries. Keep reading for more town and hotel recommendations for all types of travelers.

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Best Places to Stay in Cape Cod

If you’re short on time, these are my top picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Chatham Bars Inn 
• 📍 Best Location – Hyannis Travel Inn 
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Chatham Bars Inn
• 🏖️ Best for Entertainment – Anchor Inn Beach House
• 👪 Best for Families – Falmouth Tides or Margaritaville Resort
• 🦞 Best for Restaurants – The Club at New Seabury
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Chatham Seafarer Inn

Ok, now scroll down for a deep dive into the pros (and cons) of each area of Cape Cod: 

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Cape Cod

The Cape is arm-shaped and split up into upper, lower, mid, and outer Cape sections. But to keep things simple, I’ll highlight more specific areas in this guide: Chatham, Provincetown, Hyannis, Falmouth, and Mashpee & Sandwich. 

There are many towns and villages to choose from, though, and each will give you a classic New England summer experience.

Chatham

👉 Best Area to Stay Overall | ✨ Best Chatham Hotels: Chatham Bars Inn • Chatham Seafarer Inn • Chatham Tides

At the “elbow” of Cape Cod, Chatham offers a serene experience for first-timers with its beautiful beaches, lighthouses, and quaint downtown. It’s easily walkable and perfect for those looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway. 

Chatham Bars Inn is my pick for best overall hotel on the Cape. It features a great photo-op to stop by when the flowers are blooming, and you can cross the street to check out the view of the ocean from this luxury hotel. It’s also walking distance from the Chatham Pier Fish Market to pick up fresh seafood. And of course, the rooms are comfortable and decorated in that classic New England style. 

The Chatham Seafarer Inn is a cozy budget option in Chatham with an outdoor pool, tranquil gardens, and barbecue facilities for those summer nights. For a mid-range option, Chatham Tides is a good hotel with cute rooms, close to the beach.

Pros of Staying in Chatham:

• You can find the New England aesthetic here without having to take a ferry
• Downtown is easy to walk around

Cons of Staying in Chatham:

• Parking can be limited in the summer
• Not much nightlife if that’s what you’re looking for

Falmouth

👉 Best Area For First-Timers & Families | ✨ Best Falmouth Hotels: Falmouth Tides • Frederick William House • Red Horse Inn

Falmouth offers a lot for families and other visitors looking to explore the Cape for the first time. Falmouth’s downtown has many restaurants and boutiques to check out, and the area offers plenty of activities like mini golf, trails, and quick access to the Martha’s Vineyard ferries.

Falmouth hosts the Barnstable County Fair and a Food Truck Festival. Falmouth also hosts the annual Falmouth Road Race, which has been run by the sea for over 50 years.

Falmouth Tides is one of my top hotel picks for families since it’s right on the beach. Plus it has private balconies. 

If you like Victorian-style rooms, the Frederick William House offers bikes to explore the Cape during the day, and a fireplace to spend time with the family at night.

For a quiet stay with privacy and excellent guest service, stay at the Red Horse Inn.

Pros of Staying in Falmouth:

• Perfect for those looking for outdoor activities
• Plenty of options to keep the family entertained
• Great restaurants and bars on Main Street

Cons of Staying in Falmouth:

• You can find more picturesque views and beaches further down on the Cape

Provincetown

👉 Best Area For Entertainment | ✨ Best Provincetown Hotels: Anchor Inn Beach House • Crowne Pointe Historic Inn • Breakwater Hotel

Provincetown or “P-town” is the liveliest part of the Cape if you’re looking for a taste of New England summer nightlife. It’s a hub of art galleries, museums, and theaters; and festivals are hosted here throughout the year. If you want to experience the parades, parties, and entertainment, visit during the Provincetown Carnival or Jazz Festival.

Anchor Inn Beach House is the best hotel to stay at to experience all this entertainment. It’s close to downtown and nightlife, and it has beachfront access, a lush garden, and a terrace. For a more budget-friendly option right on the beach, you can check out the Breakwater Hotel. 

If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, The Crowne Pointe Historic Inn is a boutique stay with an attached spa that’s perfect for wrapping up a long day of exploring.

Pros of Staying in Provincetown:

• The most unique town on the Cape
• Lots of restaurants and bars, more nightlife compared to other parts of the Cape
• You can take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown

Cons of Staying in Provincetown:

• It takes a while to get here if driving since it’s at the tip of the Cape

Hyannis

👉 Best Area for Central Location & Ferry Access | ✨ Best Hyannis Hotels: Margaritaville Resort • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cape Cod Hyannis • Hyannis Travel Inn • SeaCoast Inn 

Hyannis is ideal for anyone looking to experience all of the Cape as well as day trips to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket because it has ferry service to both islands. The Main Street of Hyannis has specialty shops, restaurants, and more to explore. Hyannis Harbor is also a popular place for boat-watching.

For a mix of family travel and fun, Margaritaville Resort has a lot to offer with its indoor water park, year-round outdoor pool, and 24-person hot tub if you’re looking for a lot of ways to stay in the water.

If you want the best location to be within walking distance (~10-15 minutes) of the ferries for day trips to the islands, Hyannis Travel Inn is a good option that serves continental breakfast. SeaCoast Inn is another hotel that’s a short walk from the ferries. And some of the rooms have a kitchenette. 

For a more familiar stay, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cape Cod is still a short drive to the ferries and serves breakfast.

Pros of Staying in Hyannis:

• Easy to take the ferries to both Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket
• Main Street area has a lot of restaurants and shops

Cons of Staying in Hyannis:

• Because of how popular it is for families and access to ferries, it may get congested during the summertime

Mashpee & Sandwich

👉 Best Area For Restaurants | ✨ Best Mashpee/Sandwich Hotels: The Club at New Seabury • Sea Mist Resort • Dan’l Webster Inn and Spa

Mashpee and Sandwich should be the first places you look on Cape Cod for delicious food and drinks with a view. For views of the beach looking out over the ocean, check out drinks and pizza at Treehouse Brewery or dine at Fisherman’s View.

Sandwich also has many museums and you must stop by Heritage Museums and Gardens if you’re in the area. 

The Club at New Seabury is my top hotel pick in the area with its private beach, sauna, and restaurant. If you’re looking for a historic inn with spa services and an attached American restaurant, look no further than the Dan’l Webster Inn and Spa.

For a quieter stay with the family, check out Sea Mist Resort, which offers mini golf and tennis courts for its guests.

Pros of Staying in Mashpee & Sandwich:

• Best choice of restaurants on the Cape
• Beautiful gardens and museums to check out

Cons of Staying in Mashpee & Sandwich:

• Requires more driving to be able to explore other parts of the Cape
• Other towns further on the Cape may offer more scenic sites

Tips for Staying in Cape Cod

Pack layers

In the summer, Cape Cod is warm during the day but gets cooler at night. So, make sure you pack a sweater or light jacket, especially for those late sunset nights!

You’ll need a car, but plan for traffic

Having a vehicle to use is essential for being able to explore and view everything the Cape has to offer. There are only two bridges on and off the Cape, so plan for traffic in the mornings and afternoons.

You can take a ferry from Boston to Provincetown

If you’re flying into Boston, you can take a ferry straight from Boston to P-town (aka Provincetown). More info can be found at baystatecruisecompany.com.

Reserve a vehicle spot on the ferries ASAP

If you’re planning to take a car on the ferry to the islands, make sure you reserve a spot on the ferry ASAP. They usually open bookings for the summer in January or February. See steamshipauthority.com for more details.

Visit during the off-season for fewer crowds

Most businesses on Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket close after Labor Day (September) and don’t reopen until April or May. If you want to explore the Cape & Islands without the crowds, the off-season is the best time to go! Just be aware that some businesses and attractions will be closed for the season. 

FAQs about Cape Cod

What are the best areas to stay in Cape Cod for first-timers?

Chatham is my top pick for the best place to stay overall. But I recommend Falmouth for first-time visitors who want a mix of beaches and family things like mini golf and ice cream shops. Hyannis is good for those wanting to stay near a ferry port to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket for day trips. 

What are safe areas to stay in Cape Cod?

Most areas on Cape Cod are safe to stay in because it is a summer travel destination for families.

When is the best time to visit Cape Cod?

Visit from May to September to enjoy the beautiful beaches and see blooming flowers. After the busy season, which ends around Labor Day, many restaurants and boutiques close or shorten their hours.

What are the best parts of Cape Cod to stay for short or long stays? 

Hyannis is good for short and long stays because it is in the middle (elbow) of the Cape and near the ferries to Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket.

What are the best parts of Cape Cod to stay with kids? 

Falmouth and Hyannis are the best parts of Cape Cod to stay with kids because they are near the beaches and have family-friendly activities in the area.

Where are the ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket?

The Steamship Authority ferry in Woods Hole will take you to Martha’s Vineyard, while the Hy-Line ferry system in Hyannis can take you to either Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket.

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Overall, Cape Cod is a great destination to visit and is home to many beaches, lighthouses, restaurants, gift shops, museums, gardens, and more for families, couples, or solo adventures! 

Have a question about where to stay in Cape Cod? Leave me a comment down below!

And be sure to read my accompanying guide, The 28 Best Things to Do in Cape Cod next.