Where to Stay in Cape Cod in 2024 | Best Areas & Hotel

Cape Cod is an iconic island in Massachusetts, known for its very quaint atmosphere and scenery, and it’s very popular with tourists during the summer season. However, despite being a popular vacation spot, not many people know a lot about this region other than that it’s close to Nantucket.

In order to help you decide whether you should give this place a shot and find out where to stay in Cape Cod, we’ve outlined all of the information that you need to know before you start planning your trip.

The Best Places to Stay in Cape Cod

Cape Cod is a lot larger than people think, and it’s actually divided into quite a few regions. However, in order to keep things easy to follow, we’ve outlined the most interesting places for tourists to stay:

1. Provincetown: The original Pilgrims’ landfall and amazing beaches
2. Hyannis: Home to several memorials dedicated to John F. Kennedy
3. West Yarmouth: Wine, pirates, and more than a few interesting museums and galleries
4. Falmouth: The place to go for nature lovers
5. Chatham: Where you can observe marine life in a unique setting and even more museums

Where to Stay in Cape Cod: Best Areas & Hotels

Since Cape Cod is a popular vacation spot, it obviously has quite a few hotels in all price ranges. The locations of these hotels are also convenient in terms of proximity to attractions, so we we suggest basing your decision on that.

Some hotels will be sparse in terms of amenities, but the room will be much cheaper as a result. Others will offer quite a bit of luxury, but you’ll need to carry a pretty fat purse to pay for some of the rooms on our list.

Ultimately the decision will be up to you. Our list includes great deals and luxury accommodation options alike.

1. Best Area for Beaches: Provincetown

Provincetown is the best place in Cape Cod for anyone looking to learn a bit more about the history of the region. Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum will tell you everything that you need to know about the people that used to live here.

You’ll get to see countless interactive video exhibits about the city and the region as a whole. The Pilgrim monument itself is also a pretty famous attraction thanks to its significance. After all, it’s a monument dedicated to the Mayflower, the ship that carried the first settlers to today’s USA.

If you’re not one for history, you’ll at least get to enjoy some stunning views. The Provincetown Art Association and Museum is another great spot in Provincetown, where you can find hundreds of amazing works of art.

These range from abstract paintings to sculptures, but the facility also has a lot of interesting programs for kids. If you’re looking for something a little bit less educational and a little more relaxing, then we’d suggest going down to Herring Cove Beach.

This is one of the beaches that doesn’t see many waves and doesn’t have many exciting scuba diving spots that you can dive down. However, that does mean that you can just enjoy the peace and quiet.

The biggest issue with Provincetown might seem trivial to a lot of people, but the city is located at the far end of Cape Cod. This means that it’s out of the way, and getting to the other spots on our list will be a bit of a hassle.

Provincetown Budget Hotels

• Gifford House Inn comes with a cable TV and free wifi in every room, a complimentary breakfast every morning, and an in-house bar.
• Harbor Hotel Provincetown has an outdoor swimming pool, rooms that have a coffee and tea maker, and an in-house bar with a decent list of cocktails that you can get.

Provincetown Mid-Range Hotels

• Sandcastle Resort offers access to two outdoor swimming pools of varying sizes, free parking, and wifi, and the resort itself is located close to the beach.
• Provincetown Inn is a beachfront hotel that comes with an outdoor swimming pool, an in-house bar, and rooms that come with cable TV and free wifi.

Provincetown Luxury Hotels

• Surfside Hotel and Suites is another beachfront hotel that has a microwave, a coffee maker, a cable TV, and a refrigerator in every room, as well as a swimming pool with a poolside bar that has a massive cocktail selection.
• Brass Key Guesthouse is an adult-only resort with an outside swimming pool, a flat-screen cable TV and DVD player in every room, free wifi throughout the property, and a complimentary breakfast every morning.

2. Most Historic Area: Hyannis

Hyannis is another city in the region with a fantastic museum that can show you a glimpse of history. The glimpse in question is of the late president Kennedy, which you can experience in the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum.

You’ll learn a bit about the man himself, his upbringing, his family, and some of the policies that he enacted and that impacted the US. There’s also a Kennedy Memorial that can be found nearby, which is also worth checking out. There’s also a Maritime Museum where you can learn a bit about the local marine biology as well as the region’s sailing history.

Aside from that, the boat restoration classes or the rowing classes are truly unique experiences. Having said that, while the museums are definitely a big attraction to tourists, the biggest draw of this area would probably be the Cape Cod Central Railroad.

This is the best way to see the region, as the train takes you past some of the most beautiful and notable sights in Cape Cod. If you take the tour,  the guide will tell you everything that you might like to know about the region.

We suggest taking the dinner train, as you’ll get to enjoy a delicious meal while taking in the scenery. Hyannis is a city with a number of interesting attractions that you can visit; however, it’s not exactly brimming with bars and nightclubs.

Hyannis Budget Hotels

• Comfort Inn Hyannis has a free parking spot and free wifi throughout the property, as well as daily housekeeping services and an outdoor swimming pool.
• SeaCoast Inn comes with a complimentary breakfast every morning, a coffee maker in every room, and free wifi throughout the property.

Hyannis Mid-Range Hotels

• Cape Codder Resort & Spa has two swimming pools with their own lounge areas, a full spa and wellness center with plenty of treatment options, and an in-house bar with a pretty impressive selection of drinks.
• Hyannis Inn has an on-site cocktail lounge where you can enjoy a drink at the end of the day, a heated indoor swimming pool, and free wifi throughout the property.

Hyannis Luxury Hotels

• Best Western Cape Cod Hotel comes with a complimentary breakfast every morning, daily housekeeping services, and rooms that come with a cable TV, an AC unit, and free wifi.

3. Best Area for Wineries: West Yarmouth

Since we’ve already started our previous two segments with museums, let’s not break the trend here. The Whydah Pirate Museum is a pretty unique facility that shows tourists around the famous Whydah Gally, tells them about the boat’s storied history, and even lets them see the famous lost treasure that it was carrying.

The museum also goes deep into the history of piracy and the most famous individuals that came to light during the so-called “golden era of piracy.” It also disproves some of the details of pirate life that might have been romanticized a bit in a certain series of movies, and Whydah is one of the best ways to get that first-hand recount.

This area has quite a few attractions that might appeal to kids as well, the most notable of which would probably have to be the mini golf course and the inflatable park.

The inflatable park is simply a space full of bouncy castles where kids can jump around for hours on end, whereas the mini golf course can be enjoyed by pretty much everyone. On the opposite side of the spectrum is the Antiques Center of Yarmouth.

While this might not be the best place for kids, it does have everything from extravagant pieces of jewelry to intricately decorated furniture, which tourists might like to check out.

This area is home to a few wineries that offer tours of their facilities, as well as more than a few bars where you can grab a drink. However, there aren’t many nightclubs where you can listen to live music or dance all night.

West Yarmouth Budget Hotels

• Windrift Motel comes with two swimming pools that are right next to each other, free wifi throughout the property, and rooms that come with a cable TV and a coffee maker.
• Yarmouth Resort offers a fitness center with some pretty decent gear that guests can use, a game room, and a selection of different rooms that come with different amenities depending on the price.

West Yarmouth Mid-Range Hotels

• The Mariner Resort has an indoor swimming pool, free wifi throughout the property, and rooms that come with a flat-screen TV and a coffee maker.
• Sunbird Cape Cod Resort gives you a choice of either a continental or a buffet breakfast every morning, and there’s both free wifi and parking for all of the guests.

West Yarmouth Luxury Hotels

• Bayside Resort Hotel comes with two swimming pools, a poolside bar where you can grab something to help beat the heat, a complimentary breakfast every morning, and an on-site games room.
• Hampton Inn & Suites has two swimming pools with lounge areas where guests can relax, a fully-equipped fitness center, and rooms that come with a microwave, a refrigerator, and a 37-inch flat-screen HD TV.

4. Best Area for Nature: Falmouth

Rather than a museum, the most interesting facility in this area is an aquarium. The Woods Hole Science Aquarium has all sorts of sealife, massive exhibits that teach you everything about the indigenous fish, and even several interesting fossils.

Having said that, we can’t go without mentioning the Nobska Lighthouse. This lighthouse was built all the way back in 1826, and it has quite a bit of history associated with it.

There’s always something special about lighthouses, especially ones that are this old, and if you enjoy that aesthetic, you’ll surely love Nobska. The most notable characteristic of Falmouth is its biking trails, which are probably the best there are on Cape Cod.

Regardless of which one you decide to follow, you’ll more than likely see scenic landscapes. However, we suggest the 10.7-mile Shining Sea Bikeway. You’ll also find some fantastic fishing spots where you can just go and spend hours on end alone with your thoughts trying to catch a big one.

Falmouth also has several wineries that you can check out, a petting zoo where you can see some friendly goats, and several small theaters, museums, and galleries that you can visit.

The only problem with Falmouth is that none of the attractions are really all that remarkable. This isn’t to say that they’re not interesting, but rather that none of them are worth getting too excited for.

Falmouth Budget Hotels

• Town & Beach Motel provides free parking for all of the guests, a satellite TV in every room, and free wifi throughout the property.
• Falmouth Inn has an indoor swimming pool, free wifi throughout the property, and rooms that come with cable TV and a coffee maker.

Falmouth Mid-Range Hotels

• Sea Crest Beach Hotel comes with an in-house restaurant with a pretty decent menu, an in-house bar where you can grab a drink at night, and free wifi throughout the property.
• Falmouth Heights Motor Lodge has a large swimming pool with a lounge area, a flat-screen cable TV in every room, and free wifi throughout the property.

Falmouth Luxury Hotels

• Inn on the Sound provides all of the guests with a gourmet breakfast every morning, free parking for all the guests, and rooms that come with an AC unit and a flat-screen cable TV.
• Frederick William House offers free wifi throughout the property, free parking for all of the guests, a children’s playground, and rooms that come equipped with an AC unit, a coffee maker, and a TV with satellite channels.

5. Best Area All-Around: Chatham

My favorite place to visit in Cape Cod is Chatham. I’ve been 3 times in the last 7 years and I always discover more things to do. I personally love that while it’s very expensive, it’s so quaint, cozy, and charming. 

This charming seaside town is located on the elbow of Cape Cod, and is great for anyone looking to enjoy the beauty and charm of New England.

Aside from its charm, I love its picturesque lighthouse, stunning beaches, and quaint Main Street. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, explore the town’s history and culture, or indulge in fresh seafood, Chatham should be on your list.

Here are just a few reasons why you should visit Chatham:

• Natural beauty: Chatham is blessed with stunning natural beauty, from its pristine beaches and wild barrier islands to its tidal shoals and scenic coves. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, fishing, boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the town’s many waterways.
• Historic charm: Chatham has a rich history dating back to the early 1700s. Visitors can explore the town’s many historic homes and buildings, including the Chatham Lighthouse, the Ryder House Museum, and the Atwood House Museum. Chatham was also the site of the real-life Coast Guard rescue mission depicted in the film The Finest Hours.
• Vibrant arts and culture scene: Chatham has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with a number of art galleries, theaters, and museums. Visitors can enjoy live music, plays, and art exhibitions throughout the year.
• Delicious seafood: Chatham is known for its fresh seafood, which is caught daily in the town’s harbor. Visitors can enjoy delicious seafood dishes at the town’s many restaurants, or purchase fresh seafood to cook back at their vacation rental.

Oh, and did we mention the museums? First, let’s talk about the Chatham Railroad Museum. This is the home to several antique engines, most of which are decommissioned trains with a lot of history behind them.

You might also like to check out the nearby Atwood Museum, which doesn’t have a particular theme but rather has a massive collection of clothing, paintings, sculptures, and artifacts of different shapes and sizes.

This is also where you can find the Shark Center, which unfortunately doesn’t have any actual sharks, but it does have a ton of info on the great whites, their habits, diet, and so on. However, while you won’t find sharks in Chatham, you will find plenty of seals.

There are also boat tours that you can go on, which will specifically take you to seal congregation points so that you can see these majestic creatures up close and personal.

You can also go whale watching, but be aware that whales are a lot more difficult to spot, and there’s a chance that you’ll spend a few hours on a boat and still not see even one blowhole. If you do, though, it’ll make the trip worth it and then some.

For more R&R, Chatham also has a massive golf course where you can go to play a few holes. Alternatively, there’s also a driving range where you can practice your swings or see how far you can hit the ball.

This area is a bit sparse when it comes to hotels, so it might be a good idea to book a room before you come here; otherwise, you might be left high and dry.

Chatham Budget Hotels

• Surfside Inn Chatham has free wifi throughout the property, a cable TV in every room, and some rooms are also equipped with a microwave and refrigerator.
• The Chatham Motel has an outside swimming pool, a children’s playground, and rooms that come with a coffee maker and cable TV.

Chatham Mid-Range Hotels

• The Hawthorne comes with free parking, a fully-equipped business center, and rooms that have a flat-screen cable TV and free toiletries.
• Chatham Wayside Inn provides all of the guests with a complimentary continental breakfast every morning, an in-house bar, and a front desk that’s always available for anything that you might need.

Chatham Luxury Hotels

• Old Harbor Inn comes with a fully-equipped fitness center, free wifi throughout the property, a complimentary breakfast every morning, and rooms that come with a flat-screen TV and a DVD player.
• Captain’s House Inn has a cable TV, DVD player, coffee maker, and a fireplace in every room, a complimentary breakfast every morning, and free parking and wifi.

Save Big on Your Trip to Cape Cod

Smart travelers (aka you) know that the best way to save big on a trip to Cape Cod is to shop around. As travel experts, we know a thing or two about saving money on a trip.

We suggest browsing both individual resort offers and also flight/resort packages on Booking.com and Expedia.com to see what awesome deals are available. We’ve spent countless hours on these sites, and can confidently say that there are some smoking deals right now.

While we tend to favor Booking.com for individual hotel/resort bookings and Expedia for complete trip packages, that’s just our own opinion. Both platforms are competing for market share, and we think that they both offer compelling value, regardless of the type of trip you’re taking.

To see what’s available, simply click one of the buttons in the box above. Trust us — you can save BIG on your booking!

So, What Are the Best Areas to Stay in Cape Cod?

Let’s face it — you’ll find several lists online rounding up the beset places to stay in Cape Cod. We think our recommendations take a different approach, however, and highlight some of the area’s historical and cultural sights.

To recap, the best places to stay in Cape Cod are:

⛱️ Area with Best Beaches	Provincetown
🏰 Most Historic Area	Hyannis
🍷 Best Area for Wineries	West Yarmouth
🌳 Best for Nature Lovers	Falmouth
🏆 Our Personal Favorite	Chatham

So, with so much to see and do, and countless amazing places to stay, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Cape Cod has to offer. Happy travels!