And now, a new segment I’d like to call…
Places I Need To Go To But Will Pretend I’m Writing About For Your Benefit:
East-coasters know the Chatham Bars Inn in scenic Cape Cod; that turn of the century bit o’ gorgeousness which was originally founded as a luxury hunting lodge for wealthy Bostonians (man, if I had a nickel for every time I Googled that vacation for myself) and is now one of the top 100 hotels in the world and was voted among the world’s best family travel locales (according to Travel + Leisure and, you know, me).
And now I’m thrilled to tell my Midwestern pals (and Southern, West Coast, Canadian, Asian, European and beyond pals) about this postcard-worthy spot in the absolutely stunning, timeless town of Chatham, Massachusetts.
Besides, I was born on Cape Cod. And when someone from Cape Cod tells you about something wonderful on Cape Cod, it’s a safe bet that it’s pure delightfulness.
I recently spoke with Richard Carroll of the Chatham Bars Inn about the recent, 100-million dollar renovation on the property, which is set on 25 stunning acres of seashore. (Chicagoans: Close your eyes and picture that much seashore. Picture that. I know.) We chatted about the Inn’s popularity as a “year ’round lifestyle experience,” where couples and families could easily “stay for 7 to 14 nights and not get bored.”
The feelings you’d be feeling would be the exact opposite of boredom.
So, what would you do once you’d booked yourself into one of the 217 expanded guest rooms (which includes suites as well as charming, Cape Cod-shingled cottages on the grounds)? Well, if I had my druthers, I’d have chosen one of the Spa Suites and started from there: they’re located above the luxury spa (oh, hadn’t I mentioned the luxury spa yet?) and each feature an oversized hydrotherapy tub, built-in massage table (for in-room treatments, of course), sauna, and fireplace, among other amenities.
You’d probably want to spend the day- or better part of most days- at the spa itself, for a variety of ocean-inspired treatments which utilize saltwater, cranberry, and other Cape Cod elements (which pretty much have me tearing up with homesickness right now.) Maybe then go enjoy an al fresco massage in a private cabana or take in the Japanese Zen Garden? I don’t know, just a suggestion.
I can’t even look directly at it.
The spa, with its heated decking, is open year ’round. So even if you can’t swing that late Spring 2-week getaway (sigh), they also offer all-encompassing wellness weekends (sigh).
And in the summer? Oh, in the summer. There are so many activities, events, and once-in-a-lifetime memories to make. I can’t even list them all.
Let’s break it down by the numbers, shall we?
- 24-hour fitness center
- 5 nights a week for the Beach House’s “quintessential New England” in-the-sand clam bake
- 5 yachts for the charterin’
- 4 world class restaurants, all with produce sourced from their own 8-acre farm
- 4-hour test drives of the new Lexus sport coupe (because, and I don’t know about you, 3 hours isn’t nearly long enough)
- 4-7 (ages of the kiddos for the Beach Buddies award-winning summer program, led by CPR-trained counselors. The Clam Diggers, ages 8-12, are led by a different yet equally awesome team)
- 3 state of the art composition tennis courts
- 2 TIMES A WEEK PIRATE BOAT TRIPS “FOR THE KIDS” (AND ME)
- 1 carnival on the grounds each Saturday afternoon
- 1/4 mile, private sandy beach
- (And-this one’s for my sister Em- $2500, the amount of the donation that’ll get you a boat for trailing a scientific vessel that tracks and tags Great White sharks as part of a conservancy program.)
Which brings us to…
- 0- the number of reasons you have to not push this memorable, magical resort straight to the top of your Dream Travel list.
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(Disclosure: There’s really no disclosure needed, here. It’s not sponsored at all! After speaking with these folks, I was just incredibly happy to spread the home-state love. Stay tuned for summertime pix when I go experience that world-famous clambake for myself!)
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