Home » United States » Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and The Captain's House Inn

Many years ago Patti Page sang these familiar lyrics:

If you spend an evening you'll want to stay
Watching the moonlight on Cape Cod Bay
You're sure to fall in love with old Cape Cod
She surely must have in mind one of the most charming towns of Cape Cod, Chatham, which has often been referred to as the "elbow of the Cape." If you look at a map of Cape Cod, it certainly does resemble an elbow, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Nantucket Sound to the south.

Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and The Captain's House Inn

Norman
2004-08-11 17:01:29

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upgraded all of the rooms to reflect distinct personalities. Installed were fireplaces, king or queen canopy beds, or four- poster beds, and TV/VCR combinations. A large complimentary video library has also been provided for the Inn's guests. Occupancy is limited to couples (no cots are permitted in the rooms). In addition, many of the rooms come with oversized or double whirlpools and soaking tubs and/or two person showers.

Some of the Inn's rooms are named after the clipper ships that Captain Harding and his son Joseph sailed - Northern Light, Wild Hunter, Wild Pigeon and Whirlwind. While, others are named after Harding's daughters, Hope, Mariah, Clarissa and Eliza Jane.

The Inn discourages weddings, although there are exceptions, when the wedding party does not impact on their other guests, who might be on a honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary. Honeymoons are emphasized, and in fact Dave and Jan have even had the pleasure of watching many a bride prepare for her wedding at the Inn and then leave for the ceremony.

The Ritual Afternoon Tea
When Lily and I arrived at the Captain's House, after traveling eight hours from Montreal, we had the good fortune of being just on time to experience the Inn's famous ritual of afternoon tea served between 3:00 and 5:00P.M. An occasion you would not want to miss abounding with graciousness and hospitality. It truly felt like experiencing an English high tea with the tiny sandwiches prepared on very thin slices of bread and filled with thinly sliced cucumbers and other "goodies." Just to savor the famous English scones served with butter and jam together with different blends of tea was worth our long journey from home. What a welcoming touch!

The next morning's breakfast feast was equally something to savor, and would certainly win a cuisine award for taste, preparation, presentation and composition. Something expected of a first class inn. Incidentally, British Hotel Management students serve afternoon tea and breakfast in the dining room that overlooks the Inn's beautiful gardens.

Dave and Jan welcome guests into their kitchen, and they are encouraged to come in anytime of the day or night and enjoy some of the complimentary cookies, cakes and beverages that are always available. Jan commented to me, "we are not afraid if guests do hang around the kitchen, at least they will know that it is clean." It certainly is immaculate!

Recreatonal Amenities
For the convenience of their guests, the Inn provides beach chairs and umbrellas, beach towels, coolers & backpacks, croquet on the lawn, an outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis rackets and balls, a state of the art compact workout facility.

Romantic Attractions
If you want to know where the most romantic attractions are just ask the locals. Dave and Jan recommended the following to me, and I would have to agree their choices were right on the mark: "The breathtaking view from the Chatham Lighthouse overlooking the Chatham Break onto the North & South Beach. Dinning at 28 Atlantic with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Pleasant Bay. A stroll down Main Street on a warm summer night and listening to the town band playing music on a Friday night, and stopping at the Chatham Candy Manor for a fancy chocolate. Watching the sunset from Rock Harbor."

I may add to the list, a walk in the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, where hiking the nature trails is nothing short of astounding!

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