Hello,

One of our adult son's will meet us in Boston where we will have a one night stay before moving on to our week in Cape Cod. Now looking at booking our hotel and possibly save a few $'s by booking a suite that sleeps 3. My question is how comfortable are those sofa beds that make into a bed. Anyone have experience? Or are we just better off booking two rooms?

Sandy

We have never found a comfortable sofa bed in any hotel anywhere. Since we sometimes travel with one or both of our almost-adult kids (ages 18 and 22) we try to do the same money-saving thing. Only way it has worked is to take the mattress off the sofa bed and put it on the floor. Slightly less uncomfortable is if hotel has roll-away bed option - but these are generally small and also have springs that poke at the unlucky sleeper all night.

Hello SandyBrit, I agree with gail. If one has a child with them the sofabed can be all right but once a child becomes adult size the sofabeds that hotels provide never seem to be comfortable. I assume the sofabeds are inexpensive ones and thus the discomfort as I own a sofa bed and have slept on it and it is extremly comfortable.

Sandy..
We stayed at the Westin Boston Waterfront in a corner suite and it was new hotel that was lovely and the beds are the signature heavenly beds..we had 2 beds so it would work for 3 people..
Rates were around $200+ in September but I see that they are offering rates as low as $129 a night.
Where are you staying in Cape Cod?

Gail: Thank you for your prompt reply. That's a good tip about taking the mattress of the sofa.

LoveItaly: I think you are probably correct about the sofa beds being suitable for young children but not an adult son.

ksucat: We have rented a house in Eastham, right on the water 8/15 thru 8/22. We arrive Boston early 8/14 so will have some time to have a look around. Our son coming from San Diego will not get in until late afternoon.

We'd like to be able to use the light rail system on the day we arrive. With this in mind I had been considering booking The Embassy Suites and also for easy pick up of a rental car the next day.

Sandy

A comfortable sofa bed is an oxymoron. When I visited my parents, I took the back cushions off the sofa and slept on it that way.

SandyBrit, I live on CapeCod and I work in Eastham! Are you coming from England? A few years ago Sheila (from Scotland)and her DH and friends were here and I and another Fodorite met them in Chatham for lunch and a tour. She had done a home exchange with another Fodorite.

Please let me know if you would like any suggestions about Eastham or the area in general.

Agree about the sofabed. You just never know.

Lots of hotels have 2 queen beds - wouldn't that work?

Sofabeds, IMHO - hotels or otherwise - are never comfy except for small kids.

Agree to just get a room with 2 queen beds and the problem is solved.

abram, nytraveler and gail: As you say for one night we can manage a room with 2 queen beds.

gomiki: I grew up in a small village in Suffolk, England. My DH is an American and we now make our home not far from St. Louis.

We will be joining our other son from NYC and his family that include 14 month old twin boys. Thus the house directly on the beach.

Can you recommend the best place to stock up on essentials such as milk, bread, yogurt, eggs, etc.

My research says you can get food to go from Friendly Fisherman's. Do they also sell fresh fish that you can fix yourself? Any thoughts on this place or others that we could pick up quality food to go, fresh fruit/vegetables?

Thanks for your help and offer to answer questions. The posters on this board are the best.

Sandy

Sandy, 14 month old twins..what fun!

The best place for a large shopping order for the week is Stop & Shop at the Orleans rotary. It's a mega grocery store. As you are heading into the rotary (going toward Eastham), it is the first road on your right. Take a right at the first traffic light (about a quarter of a mile). It will be a zoo on Saturday afternoon.

What beach are you on? That would help w/the shopping suggestions. In the middle of town at the first traffic light(on the left) is the Eastham Superette. It's like a small old fashioned grocery store and you can get all the items you mentioned there. They also have decent meat.

Sam's Deli (Brackett Road which is the third traffic light) is on the right in the second plaza. They have very good take out sandwiches, a small selection of prepared foods, homemade treats and a small selection of very pricy meat.

At the rotary (on the right just before the rotary heading back to Orleans) is the Log Cabin. It has the BEST sweetcorn and a selection of fruits and veggies. I'm from Ohio and this sweetcorn is the best I have ever had! Fresh picked every morning (not inexpensive but worth every penny IMHO).

I have not had anything from the Friendly Fisherman in a long time so can't really speak to that. I have a gift cert to use there so I'll report back. Arnold's www.arnoldsrestaurant.com is great. Go early as there are always lines out the door.

The Hole-in-One doughnut shop (on Route 6 just before Bracket Road) is excellent for fresh doughnuts and coffee. www.theholecapecod.com

The Red Barn has very good thin crust pizza with interesting toppings. Good salads too. www.theredbarnpizza.com

If you want lobsters or fresh seafood go to the Boathouse in Wellfleet. They have an amazing selection www.wellfleetmarine.com . We have had lobsters cooked there for us. They are great and the price is as good or usually better than other places. They also have an interesting gift shop and neat things for kids.

Hope this helps. If you have more questions, please ask!

gomiki:

The house we are renting is located on Kingsbury Beach Road.

Your kindness in answering all my questions and more is very much appreciated. Thank you so much.

Sandy

Sandy, That is my favorite beach! Must be one of the two at the very end of the street. My friend's family has rented the same waterfront cottage on Longstreet Lane (off Kingsbury Beach Road) for over 50 years. We've had wonderful times there. You do know that the tides are extreme and go out for a mile or so at low tide? It's perfect for the twins. There will be small inlets with tiny sea creatures and the water is warm. And the sunsets are wonderful.

The Superette is probably the closest store for you. You are pretty much in the center so everything is just a few minutes away. It's a small place.

Have a wonderful time and please let me know if you have more questions. I hope you do a trip report!