Across the basin of Oak Bluffs harbor sits a six story – 125+ year old ocean front hotel. Remodeled in 1986, this 95 room’s spot is perfectly situated. As you climb up the few steps there’s a front porch lined with wooden rocking chairs hidden by green bushes.Entering the lobby, oriental rugs strategically cover the dark wooden floor to section off the room. One rug has a grand piano on it with a glass vase full of colorful lush flowers. Another rug has old Victorian chairs, sofa and round table for a comfortable meeting place. The reception is behind a long wooden counter. Off to the left is a dining area with mini kitchen for beverages and snacks available to the guests all day.
Walk to the shops, restaurants, ferry or to the Civil War Statue to catch the bus to Vineyard Haven and Edgartown. Other parts of the island are accessible by bus as well. Just let the bus driver know where you’re going and they’ll call ahead to tell the other driver that you’re coming.It’s a really good system and better if you buy a pass for the days you’ll be on the island. Also, stroll along the side streets behind the Wesley and see all the colorful gingerbread homes.
Story book Homes
Room with a view
Bedroom
Wesley Inn overlooking Oak Bluffs Harbor
Prices range from $140 – $320 week depending on season and room size. Offers satellite TV, coin operated laundry for guests, handicap accessible.No Pets. Call 508-693-6611 or web wesleyhotel.com
Adults only please. This high-end resort has all the comforts of home and then some. Centrally located half way between the Brass Key Inn and Fairbanks Inn on Bradford Street, this is walking distance to everything in P-Town.
Whether you start your day in the luxurious Shui Spa, heated inground pool, Jacuzzi, or having a gourmet breakfast it’s sure to be a relaxing place. Most rooms have fireplaces, whirlpools and outdoor balconies.
The dining room (The Bistro) has their tables eloquently dressed with linen cloths, crystal glasses, square glass vase filled with fresh flower arrangements and black menus with a gold cummerbund proudly displaying Crown Pointe’s seal in the middle. Menu items are all made from scratch by top chefs; health conscious cooking prepared fresh, without butter, cream or fatty oils.
Like the daily menu, the wine list changes almost daily. Kept in their extensive wine cellar, they have over 125 selections to choose from with more than 4,000 bottles on site. These wines have won Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” in 2006 and 2007. The bar is also equipped with top name brands in spirits.
Shui spa is open to the general public and non-registered guests for additional fees.
Prices range from $99 – $627 depending on season and room. Includes hot breakfast for two.
No Pets. No smoking. No young adult under the age of 16 on premises. Call 508-487-6767 or crownepointe.com & shuispa.com
Provincetown (aka P-Town) has lots of sanddunes, miles of beaches, 3 marinas (MacMillan’s Wharf, Provincetown Marina and Flyer’s Boat Rental), friendly people, entertainment, restaurants and history. Speaking of history, did you know that the Pilgrims actually landed here in P-Town before moving to Plymouth? They couldn’t stay here because the sanddunes didn’t make good farmland, so they had to leave.
This August Provincetown will be celebrating their 100th anniversary and from what I hear – they have one helluva party planned. The Chamber of Commerce is planning all kinds of events and for more information go to: ptownchamber.com.
The other night I went on a cruise sponsored by both the Chamber of Commerce and the Mason’s. It was on this cruise that I met Lady Di. Though only in P-Town a couple of years, Lady Di has got quite the reputation. Like the late Princess of Wales, this Lady Di is always involved in some sort of charity. But, unlike Princess Diana, this Lady Di can not be found during the day in the office. (more about Lady Di later)
Others I’ve met on the cruise around the harbor were Dr. John McGovern, the proud owner of Sleek1 – named after his wife who’s always sleek, Amy from South Wales who’s been coming to P-Town since she was three years old and her girlfriend Allie from West Hampstead, UK.
Along the boardwalk from the Chamber office to MacMillan Wharf is quite a hike, especially on a hot and humid day. However, along the way I met Jack at Ceejay Fishing. His shack offers fishing events where you can catch 12″ flounder in the winter, 17 1/2″ fluke in the summers, striped bass and bluefish. Since bluefish is oily, it must be cooked that day, so to help you out, Townsend Lobster Mart will clean your fish for 50 cents each or for $6.50 you can have four filets cooked, get coleslaw, french fries and a soft drink. This is a great deal, especially if you’re like me and don’t like to cook or clean fish.
Next I stopped at a booth offering cruises and/or parasailing. Here I met Lia and Elena from Bulgaria and they are here for the summer enjoying the sun, people and their job. One of the things their booth offers is a ride out into the ocean to see all the starfish and other living creatures. Besides these two booths were many others offering whale watches, ferries to Boston and other parts, as well as fishing. At the end of the pier is the Harbormaster’s (Scott) office, a museum and a new pavillion under construction.
