Has anyone stayed at the Chatham Bars Inn? It looks beautiful but we are wondering if it is worth $520.00 a night for an ocean view room. We don't mind paying that much I just want to make sure it is worth it. Also, is this place really kid friendly at this price (We have two boys ages 6 and 4) or will we be a nuisance to most guests. Lastly, we are flying in to the area so which airport (not including any on cape cod I absolutely cannot fly in a small plane) is closest to the area. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks

Chatham Bars Inn is VERY nice...$520.00 a night though? I don't think I'd pay that...you have a view of the Ocean from lots of the common areas including the big front porch...and the beach is right across the street, so I wouldn't pay the extra money for an Ocean View, but then again, I don't usually spend too much time in my rooms. What time of year are you going, I assume the summer. The Inn has a great kids program, I think it's called Clam Diggers, and is kid friendly...there's probably a link on their website. As far as Airports, your 2 choices are Boston and Providence. Both are almost exactly the same distance from the Cape. Boston has more direct flights but city traffic, although the new tunnels have helped a bit. Providence is an easy drive, but you might hit NY/Conn traffic at the Bridges if you arrive on a Saturday morning. Chatham is a great place in the summer for families...

That $520 room may be one of their Cottages on the bluff above the beach.

There are so many things here for a family such as yours to do. Besides the Beach, pool and Beach House Grille across the street CBI provides a shuttle boat that will drop your family on the Chatham Bar to explore the outer beach.

You can walk from CBI down shore drive to see the boats unload their catch at the Chatham Fish Pier.

It's only a short walk from the Inn to the village with it's shops, dining and a beautiful park with free band concerts.

It sounds delightful. Thank you both

Isn't their still a water shuttle from Boston to somewhere on the cape...? Does anyone know? I've never had to use it but I think it is an option rather than driving the summer traffic.

It only goes from Boston to P-Town.

My husband I go to Chatham every year and always stay on Main St at a great inn called the Cranberry Inn. Although I am not sure whether it is children friendly. Excellent breakfast, reasonable off season rates, they even have a pub with drinks, wine. If you stay on Main St, you can walk everywhere. CBI is gorgeous and we have stayed there twice, but it is very pricey. You may want to try Chatham Wayside Inn on Main St. Eat at The Squire-very good! If you don't want to take a small plane, you'd probably have to fly into Logan-Boston or TFGreeen in Providence and drive, not sure if Barnstable airport has jet service. Enjoy!

Stayed there for 1 night last June while traveling through New England. Place is very nice with lots of atmosphere. We had just spent the day touring a couple of the big 19th century mansions in Newport, so I was already in a "in the past" kind of mood - then staying the night here couldn't help but remind my of "Somewhere in Time".

On the downside, the rooms are kind'a small (did NOT have an oceanview room) and I do think they are overpriced.

Ken

PS - Posted a few photos of the place here (in the New England album):

http://community.webshots.com/user/lordbalfor

FYI, the Travel Channel did a full profile on the Chatham Bars earlier this month (Great Hotels series), and perhaps it'll come around again and/or maybe you can find archive of it on their website.

It looked lovely but not opulent the way some "grand-dame" hotel/resorts can be. It does have a water view that's very Cape-y but you should be aware that you are facing a protected bay, not open surf (although you can see waves breaking on the "bars" (hence the name) that protect the bay. The decor is very New England, which is to say clean, slightly seaside-rural even in the most luxurious rooms -- although some of the bathrooms are hardly in the Puritan tradition. The wine cellar and the kitchen are definitely 21st century upscale, however.

Is it worth $520/night? I think that's what they charge for the special cottage suites and you can get an ocean view room in the hotel for less -- also for less in the off-season.

If it were me and I thought the price was worth it, I might consider bringing the boys on some other trip where they, rather than cuisine and ambiance, were the point of the trip. They'd be happier and you'd be less aware of "this is costing SO MUCH -- shhhh, don't bother the other people" problems in a motel with pool, I suspect.

Fly into either Boston or Providence, depending on which gives you better fare and service. Again, given the choice, I'd much rather deal with the easier drive from Providence.

Will you be going for a full week? I looked into staying there last year and during the "high season" there was a week minimum. Given the extensive kids programs it is a very kid friendly place