PHOTO: Joe Vaughn

Fodor's Expert Review Harbor Hotel Provincetown

Name: Harbor Hotel Provincetown
Address: 698 Commercial St., Provincetown, Massachusetts, 02657, USA
Telephone: 800-422–4224
Price range: $

698 Commercial St., Provincetown, Massachusetts 02657, USA See on Map

Kim MacKinnon

Harbor Hotel is located on the relaxed side of Provincetown overlooking Cape Cod Bay. This retro-style motel is mere steps from the beach, making it easy to roll out of bed and enjoy the sun and the surf in no time. Local art adds to the brightness of the aqua, green, and orange of pillows and chairs, a happy motif found throughout the hotel, from the outside doors to the coverlets on the bed. There's a lively vibe here, evident in the poolside bar, outdoor fire pit, and also at the Whaler's Lounge, which is home to movie nights, live music, cocktails, and food.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The hotel closes at the end of October and reopens in mid-April.

room

The 119 contemporary rooms and 10 suites, located across two buildings, are well laid out and comfortable, with some rooms overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Others face the pool. Connecting rooms are ideal for large families and there are also a few rooms which are pet-friendly.

YOU SHOULD KNOW During low tide hours, the beach across the street is accessible, but during high tide, the water covers the sand completely. That’s when the pool becomes even more popular.

bathroom

Compact and clean, some rooms have bathtubs, while others have walk-in showers.

lobby

Filled with local art and decked out with couches and chairs, the lobby can be a fun place to hang out, but most people prefer to chill by the pool or around the outdoor fire pits.

pool

The good-sized pool, and the Cabana Bar, are both popular hangouts in warm weather.

YOU SHOULD KNOW This is a seasonal hotel and, during the shoulder season, the dining outlets and pool may or may not be open.

Photo: Pool with colorful lounge chairs and umbrellas / Joe Vaughn

Photo: Fire pit overlooking Cape Cod Bay / Joe Vaughn

dining

The Whaler Lounge & Restaurant, which has both indoor and outdoor seating serves breakfast and dinner, plus a popular weekend brunch. Casual fare can be ordered at the poolside Cabana Bar.

Every Friday night, there’s an All-You-Can-Eat Friday Night Fish Fry with fresh sole, clams, fries and coleslaw.

drinking

Not surprisingly, the Cabana Bar is also a great place to relax with a cold beverage by the pool.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Daily breakfast service begins the first Saturday in May. Dinner service on Friday and Saturday nights begins on the first Friday in May and daily after Memorial Day. The Cabana Bar and Grill opens on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend through the Monday of Labor Day Weekend.

LOCATION

Getting Around

Harbor Hotel is on the edge of town, but for those who prefer to park their car for the duration of their vacation, getting to the main drag of the action is easily done on the town’s seasonal shuttle for $2 each way.

Restaurants

Pepe’s, serving up seafood, is just down the block from the inn (5-minute drive). The Lobster Pot (6-minute drive) is another local favorite and is known for its chowders.

Bars

Lounge outside with a drink at the popular Patio American Grill & Cocktail Bar (6-minute drive), great for watching the world go by on Commercial Street. Another outdoor option is the AquaBar (8-minute drive), which overlooks the harbor and offers casual food and drinks with an unbeatable view.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Casual and fun, the Harbor Hotel is a lively, family-friendly motel with lots of attractive amenities, including its waterfront location, pool, fire pits and reasonable rates, even in the high season.