We've never been to Cape Cod/Boston area and are planning an anniversary trip in October. Because of my husband's military affiliation, we may choose from 4 locations to stay for reasonable military rates. Not knowing anything about the area or these particular facilities, I would appreciate any advice in terms of niceness of facility and convenience of location. We would like to visit Boston, too, while we're in the area. We are both 51 years old. The choices are (1) Sandcastle Condominiums at Provincetown, (2) Courtyard Resort at Hyannis, (3) Delray Beach Club at Dennisport, & (4) Holiday Vacation Condos at W. Yarmouth. Our thanks to any who will help.

Hello! We have made several trips to the Cape and it's wonderful! We have stayed in Provincetown and we've stayed in Dennis. While I love Provincetown for shopping, whale(and people!!)-watching, I would select Yarmouth or Dennis for overnight stays. Hyannis is also very busy and very commercial while Dennis and Yarmouth are a bit smaller. It's easy to drive around different parts of the Cape so by all means explore!!

Hello,

The cape will be wonderful in October, the crowds will be gone. Provincetown is nice with little shops and good dining. I actually own a unit at Holiday in W Yarmouth. The units are nice but it's right on RT 28 a very busy road. Don't know much about the other places but you may want to go with one of them. Hyannis / Dennisport aren't that far apart so you'll be close to everything you may want to do. Take some time to walk around Chatam, not far from any of the place except PTown. You can also take a day trip to Martha Vineyard or Nantucket both are very nice. As for Boston, not sure how long you want to come in for but if it's just for the day you can drive up from the cape, Rt 6 to Sagamore then Rt.3. You may want to take the T (subway) in from Quincy, which has an exit off Rt.3. Driving is kind of tuff with the Big Dig going on. In Boston make sure you take a walk around the North End, great fun and food.

We stayed at the Sandcastle Resort several years ago and were totally impressed. Standing on their beach, glistening Cape Cod bay is in front of you. Looking to your left you can see the forearm of the Cape as it bends around Truro. To the right, you can see the Provincetown skyline about a mile and a half away. Turn around and across the street are majestic sand dunes. Talk about location.

Many of the rooms in the main building face P'town and the view is magnificent especially at night.

All the rooms had outside decks and kitchenette with stove and refrigerator.

During low tide you can walk along the flats right to the center of P'town.

Thanks so very much! That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for. This forum is a wonderful source of information!

OK, somebody has to tell you this, so it might as well be me: Provincetown has a heavily gay clientele. It doesn't bother me, but I've heard several people say it really turned them off. I'm not giving advice here -- just telling you what's what. Make your own decisions.

Generally I tell people to shun away from Hyannis because it is very commercial and crowded, especially in the Summer. But the Courtyard is actually in a decent location in Hyannis. It is very close -within a block - to some of the best restaurants on the Cape(every anniversary we go to The Penguin Seagrill, on W Main(?) mmm...)and in October it really won't be that crowded. Main Street has lots of small quaint shops and is close to the Kennedy sites - if your interested in that. The other hotels are probably in more rustic / beachy spots but from Hynnis Courtyard at least you can walk to the harbor and take a short car ride (3 minutes) to the beach.

Enjoy

I have to agree with "nothing" about warning you about P-town. You said you can get a discount because of your husband's military affiliation. I have been vacationing in the area since I was a kid, and I can tell you that there is a very large and very open gay population there. I do not mean to infer that all people affiliated with the military are homophobes, but you might want to consider your tolerance levels before you go. Who knows? maybe you'll come away from P-town wondering what the big deal is. Hopefully you will, because it is probably one of the most beautiful, quaint towns on the New England coast, and worthy of a visit regardless of your orientation.

W. Yarmouth is very very busy especially Route 28. It is not a good city for walking around and site seeing. I like Hyannis much better for that, it has that Cape feeling that W Yarmouth seems to miss due to the traffic. The town of Hyannis is beautiful and provides lots of entertainment just by walking around. Provincetown is a great busy art community which does take great pride in their gay community. The art gallaries are great as are the restaurants.