Cape Crusader

Hit the road for a memorable seaside getaway in Massachusetts

The Jersey shore certainly has its appeal—and you can’t beat its proximity—but if you’re looking for a beach vacation with a different feel, head north to Cape Cod. This peninsula in the easternmost part of Massachusetts juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, offering miles of beaches as well as wooded bike paths, great golf, quaint shops and historic sites.

Vacation homes and B&Bs dot the Cape, but for a truly special trip, book a room at the luxurious Wequassett resort and Golf club, located just outside the town of Chatham, which recently celebrated its 300th anniversary. The resort features 120 rooms and suites, many in their own gray-shingled cottages, connected by brick pathways that meander past beautifully landscaped grounds. (Native Americans named the area Wequassett, meaning “crescent on the water,” because of the shape of the cove on which it sits.) Waterside accommodations have postcard-perfect views of pleasant Bay and the Atlantic.

I stayed in one of the newer (“Signature Collection”) rooms. It was decorated in a beachy cottage style with white wainscoting, red wallpaper and floral bedding. The room was ultra-high-tech— lighting, fireplace, temperature and music were controlled through the flat-screen TV. I loved the giant marble bathroom with its soaking tub, walk-in shower and Molton Brown toiletries. And the two private balconies with water views were a nice treat.


As for activities, guests have their pick of a large private beach or two pools (one for adults only). If swimming and sunning sound too leisurely, there’s a full gym, four Har-Tru tennis courts and access to the nearby championship golf course cape cod national, which is a private club. Sailboat and kayak rentals are available by the beach, or take a complimentary boat ride to a private beach across the bay on Cape Cod National Seashore. The resort will provide beach chairs, umbrellas—even a picnic lunch.

Back at Wequassett, four restaurants beckon when hunger strikes, the highlight being Twenty-Eight Atlantic, an elegant room on the water with eight-foot windows that provide a stunning view of the bay. Chef James Hackney’s new American menu features native and seasonal ingredients. I most enjoyed the lobster and mushroom ravioli and the seared foie gras.

While Wequassett is perfect for a romantic couple’s get-away (my husband and I were celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary), another highlight is the children’s program. With a pirate-ship playground, a treasure-chest ball pit, a spray park and an amphitheater for watching (and putting on) shows, plus video-game systems for indoor fun, the kids’ club makes Wequassett an ideal family vacation destination too. —Marisa Sandora