Any thought on staying at Chatham Bars in Cap Cod with a group of 21 year olds versus staying at the White Elephant in Nantucket?

Why would a bunch of 21 year olds want to go to either place?

Both are stodgy and very expensive, and I doubt very much that they will rent to 21 year olds directly. If you are a mom or dad wanting to bring your 21 year old offspring and friends, that is a different matter.

The White Elephant is on the water and an easy walk to town shopping and restaurants, though its own restaurants are excellent. It has good views of the harbor, yacht club and lots of pretty boats. It is next door to Children's Beach and a little park. They have a nice pool but have applied for permission to move it, so there may be construction this spring or summer. Check with them before reserving.

Young people prefer Surfside or Jetties Beach. Jetties is a ten or fifteen minute walk and has a cafe, beer, toilets, etc. Surfside is a bus or car ride away on the south side of the island.

Nantucket is pretty fabulous, but much of it is lost on the young. On the other hand, Chatham is not exactly party city either.

I can give more information if you can provide more information of your own about what you are looking for.

What does your group like to do? When I was in college I preferred the Cape to Nantucket as it is less formal and more reasonably priced. Now that I am older I prefer Nantucket. BTW, both of the places you mentioned are fairly expensive. If you post back with what you enjoy, we can give you better advice.

Ackislander, we were posting at the same time. As usual, your advice is spot on.

Ackislander, didn't the White Elephant get rid of their pool years ago? I stayed there 2 years ago and don't recall a pool? Could I have missed it?

My suggestion is to stay at neither but go to Provincetown instead. Lots of fun for a group of 21 year olds....

No, you are not losing it, emcash. The former Harbor House, long owned by the same owners, is now under the White Elephant brand, and that's where the pool is, across the street. For now.

The former Harbor House was being redeveloped into the White Elephant Hotel Residence. After a lot of construction last year, not a hammer had been swung since early fall and some of the demolished areas are untouched and unattractive.

The Point Breeze, across Easton Street, has also seen construction stop. The developer apparently ran out of money on a project in Florida and closed this one up owing a number of contractors, some of whom are suing.

Both these projects, and yet a third one down near the former electric company property, are a timeshare variation based on the belief that a lot of people will spend >$1 million for a hotel suite with no cooking facilities that they may only occupy for 180 days per year. In this economy, such people are hard to find.

It's a family trip with maybe a couple of the kids friends coming along too. It seems like the Cape has either really $ and nice or not at all nice, not alot in the middle. I don't want to go to Province Town, it sounds too much like being on a college campus. I was looking for a happy medium. We want to go for 5 days so a rental is really out we need a hotel.

7 day rental/5 day occupation may be cheaper than 5 days hotel unless your 5 days takes you into a 2 week rental.
Also gives you the option to extend your stay to 7 days if you don't want to leave as you have already paid.

I am a 70 year old woman and really like Provincetown, so wouldn't say it is at all like being on a college campus. I've stayed in many places on the Cape and found Chatham quite boring.
I guess a lot depends on what type of activities you are interested in. Tell us and maybe we can help a little better.

Thanks Ackislander, I understand now that you say you were referring to Harbour House. We saw that construction last year when we were on the island. I never quite understood those developments either, especially without a kitchen. Didn't make sense to me either.

riggsgirl- how about Martha's vineyard? that might work for you . I would also rethink Provincetown, although I have never been, from what i hear, it has appeal for all ages.

I can't figure out how you got the idea that P'town is like being on a college campus. It's more like an arts colony. One advantage is that there's plenty for everybody to do, without getting in the car.

loved nantucket in my 20s now even more when i bring my wifey for some nice relaxation. about the renovations on those buildings i think they were crazy to redo nantucket. i can't believe how much nantucket people want to change nantucket. how about just leaving nantucket the way it is and the way i remember it when i was in my 20s...not that im that old now!

beachside might be fine for 21 year olds in the party mode or maybe a cottage. the beach is pretty close either way. jsut an idea.