Cranberry Escape in Cape Cod

As a Rhode Island resident, I’m not sure if going to Cape Cod counts as solo travel, but I recently stayed at Chatham Bars Inn for two glorious nights by myself, and found it to be a wonderful way to reconnect with the area, embrace a little solitude after a chaotic election cycle, and celebrate the region’s signature crop. I have a long history with the Cape but hadn’t visited since before the pandemic, and it had been even longer since I was at Chatham Bars Inn, where I had my first-ever off-season luxe-for-less stay over 12 years ago. I was serendipitously invited to enjoy the inn’s seasonal Cranberry Break Escape, a promotion offering savings of up to 35 percent and valid for stays through December 19, 2024, with a selection of three exclusive cranberry-themed packages.

Billed as “Cape Cod’s Most Beautiful Address,” the Five Star property on a quarter-mile private beach is a globally recognized vacation destination, with accolades that include being the #1 Resort in New England in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards. Originally built in 1914 as a hunting lodge, today it boasts 217 individually decorated rooms and suites between the main inn and 30 cottage-style buildings. There are also five restaurants, and a full-service spa. The entire property imbues a classic coastal aesthetic – comfy and chic – with artful nods to its seaside location and history.

Prior to my 4pm check-in, I spent time relaxing at The Spa before my Cranberry Souffle Body Scrub treatment: a concoction of cranberry seed oil and nutrient-rich cold pressed oil. After a quick private shower, shea butter and cranberry seed oil were applied. The fragrances were as delicate and calming as a baked good; the therapist suggested a brief sit in the sauna afterward to let it all seep in. When I was ready to leave, the spa attendant handed me my room card, which had been dropped off during my treatment.

A short walk away, my room was a comfortable second-floor suite outfitted in cottage style with a king-sized bed and living room area with desk, table, and chairs; there are TVs and light switches to control every mood. Personal favorites were the gas fireplace (perfect for indulging in a to-go hot fudge sundae of small-batch ice cream from onsite tavern The Sacred Cod), a vanity nook complete with Dyson hair dryer, a comfy window seat overlooking a golf course, and Molton Brown toiletries. Turn-down service includes a note about the next day’s forecast, fresh glass carafe of water, and chocolates from nearby Chatham Candy Manor.

While a few of the Chatham Bars Inn restaurants are closed for the season, I dined the first night at The Sacred Cod, and had breakfasts and my second-night dinner at STARS. The former is casual and a great spot for a cozy bowl of clam chowder while STARS is a sophisticated treat. Breakfast highlights were the Jonah Crab Toast, an unexpected combo of crab, avocado, and poached eggs, and the Pumpkin Brioche French Toast, which aligned deliciously with my pursuit of all things cranberry. With a fireplace, linen tablecloths, and picture windows revealing the dark night sky, STARS is a vision of sparkle and warmth. My dinner started with Hubbard Squash Soup from the CBI Farm Showcase menu, presented by a server pouring the savory soup into my bowl from a pitcher. For my entree, I selected the Atlantic Sole, a stunning display of lobster and bacon over Brussels sprouts, topped with a sunchoke sauce (velouté). Enhancing the atmosphere in both restaurants is the sincerity of the staff, welcoming and eager to present every course from amuse-bouche to a surprise bite-sized dessert. Dining alone was never more comfortable and comforting.

It turns out I had just missed cranberry harvest, but marketing coordinator Olivia Pickard provided nearby places to enjoy serene views of bogs. While Chatham Bars Inn is a hotel partner with Lexus and offers ride options, I was happy to drive myself to Annie’s Crannies in Dennis and Fresh From the Vine cranberry farm in West Yarmouth, and of course, Main Street shopping in both Chatham (chocolate-covered cranberries from Chatham Candy Manor are a must) and Orleans. Another year-round must-do is watching the sunset at Chatham Harbor and witnessing Chatham Light shine, one of the few lighthouses in America that still operates 24 hours a day.

The inn’s 25-acre compound begins to feel like a charming village, especially because I was able to do so much without driving. Each morning I would walk to the inn for breakfast, embark on a self-guided adventure, and return to my suite to relax before heading to the main building, spectacularly aglow at night. After dinner, I relished exiting the main inn at the ocean side to look up at the stars before following the lit path back to my room. Feel worlds away in less than a two-hour drive. Learn more at ChathamBarsInn.com.