Hello,

I am looking to spend about 5 days in Cape Cod and would appreciate some advice for a UK couple in early 30s !! WE like decent beaches and preferably some evidence of nightlife.

I have the following questions:

(1) I like the look of the Sandwich Lodge (Sandwich), anyone been there? Is it close to good beaches ? Anyone been to the British Beer Company pub?
(2) Do you NEED a car to get around the Cape or is there a decent bus service around the place ?
(3) Any other recommendations for accommodation for around $120 - $150 (GBP 70 - 85) per night (for a room for 2 people)?

WE are looking to spend a relaxing few days around the Cape after a tour of eastern US.

Thanks a lot,
Paul.

There is no decent bus service around the Cape - and not even much bad bus service. Unfortunately, you will absolutely need a car.

Public transit is extremely limited on the Cape, and you'll need a car to get to beaches and "nightlife". Check out routes and schedules at http://www.capecodtransit.org/

Sandwich is on Cape Cod Bay. While there are ok beaches on the bay, the best beaches are on the south coast and National Seashore. Night life is centered in Hyannis (Teeny-bopper scene) and Provincetown (sophisticated and gay), with some in Chatham, at the "elbow".

Suggest you stay somewhere between Chatham and Provincetown. You will need a car. Can't advise on lodging, but if an Inn or B&B are in your plans, check out:

http://www.bbonline.com/water.html

and

http://www.capecodchamber.org/

You could stay in Provincetown without a car. In season, there are shuttle buses that run out to the National Seashore beaches and there is plenty of nightlife right in the center of town.

You would not get to see the rest of the Cape however which has 15 towns and stretches about 70 miles from the Canal to the tip.

Another car-less option is to stay at an inn located in the village of Chatham where you can also get a shuttle bus out to Chatham Light beach in Season. Here there is less nightlife and you probably won't find anything in that price range.

The British Beer Company is designed like a British Pub with great pub food and drink.

You will absolutely need a car. Even those areas with shuttles the service is limited. And to get accommmodation at the best rate you may not be albe to stay in the center of town.

Suggest that you try the standard hotel sites (travelocity, expedia, orbitz) as well as capelinks.com. Priceline does not do Cape Cod. Note that since this is hgh seson there will not be a lot of deals to be had, although you may do better if your days do not include a weekend.

You do not ned a car once in PTown. For bus service from off Cape to Ptown. try:

www.p-b.com

There are many reasonable and fine B&Bs in town that you will enjoy. The night life is varied and suits all types of people. When booking you may want to ask the lodging folks if they are exclusively gay. There are a few, not many...just ask. Try the 1807 House on Commercial Street. It may be late to get a rom, but it is a very pleasent location

Hello,

If you go in the summer season, you can take the Breeze bus service. I think it runs from June-Sept. Use the website in one of the other threads. Sandwich is beautiful, we stayed at the Daniel Webster Inn. 6A is lovely with lots of Bed and Berakfasts, off season rates are pretty low. 6A will take you through Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouthport, Brewster, Dennisport. In Yarmouthport, we stayed at Ashleigh Manor and Wedgewood Inn.

You would have to stay in Hyannis, Yarmouth, S. Yarmouth for more nightlife though. Lots of hotels to chose from, you can stay on the beach in S. Yarmouth. We also stayed in West Yarmouth on Rt 28 at the Cape Pointe. There is more music now, but mainly in the summer season. Check capecodtimes.com. BB Company is a gerat place, there is one in Hyannis on main St. Enjoy!

I don't think you'd be happy staying in either Sandwich or Provincetown; both are at "ends." If you have a car, consider staying in Centerville. You'd be just down the street from the hub-bub of Hyannis, close to the "sophistication" of Osterville, in a quiet residential neighborhood, and beside one of the best beaches on the Cape: Craigville. A moderate hotel just across the street from Craigville Beach is the Trade Winds Inn (508-775-0365). A couple miles down the road is a the very reasonable Centerville Corners Motor Lodge (508-775-7223). Not very charming, but good value and a walk to one of the Cape's best ice cream stands (4 Seas), and a cute country gift shop with benches out front for both Republicans and Democrats!
Chatham is another lovely choice on Cape Cod, but prices are considerably higher. It would make a nice day trip, though! As would the Coast Guard Beach on Eastham. If you should decide to splurge in Chatham, the Bradford Inn is absolutely lovely!
Have a wonderful holiday.

Ys, we stayed at the Tradewinds and it was a cute little hotel, great hosts! We have stayed in Chatham several times. If you stay at the Bradford or Cranberry Inn, you are walking distance to all shops and restaurants.