Pros

  • Waterfront location with spectacular ocean views
  • Free Wi-Fi with guest computer available for use
  • Outdoor heated pool overlooking the ocean
  • Free breakfast, cookies, and tea in the lobby
  • Cozy rooms with classic furnishings and fresh duvets
  • Free bicycle rentals, croquet, darts, and DVD rentals
  • Rooftop sun and observation deck
  • Discount parking pass for all Gloucester beaches
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Cons

  • Open seasonally from May through October
  • Patios and balconies lack privacy
  • Minimum stay requirement in summer
  • Some guests complain of street noise
  • Some bathrooms are small
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The historic Bass Rocks Ocean Inn is an oceanfront escape located 35 miles north of Boston. This Colonial Revival style inn offers comfortable rooms classically decorated in floral patterns that open onto shared balconies with sweeping Atlantic Ocean views. Open seasonally from May through October, the hotel has a heated outdoor pool and excellent freebies like Wi-Fi throughout the property, bike rentals, and afternoon tea and cookies. While some guests complain that balconies lack privacy and bathrooms are small, this is a well-maintained, family-friendly property with historic character and great views.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Ocean House Hotel at Bass Rocks

Scene

Family-friendly inn with stunning ocean views

The Bass Rocks Ocean Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The scene here is traditional and classic, with plenty of floral-patterned furniture and wicker chairs for enjoying the beautiful ocean views. Free breakfast is offered every morning, and snacks like cookies and lemonade are available in the lobby during the afternoon. Families will find plenty of on-site entertainment including a heated outdoor pool, croquet, and free bike rentals. Since the hotel is only open from May through October, the focus here is on outdoor activities and relaxation. The inn is located next to a golf course and is a short driving distance away from local beaches.

See More Scene

Location

On the waterfront in historic Gloucester, Massachusetts

Bass Rocks Ocean Inn is located 35 miles north of Boston on the waterfront in historic Gloucester, Massachusetts in an area known as Cape Ann. Gloucester is America's oldest seaport and is a popular summer destination for locals who prefer the North Shore to the traffic of Cape Cod. Cape Ann is home to several beautiful beaches including Good Harbor Beach, Long Beach, Singing Beach, and Wingaersheek Beach. This location is also known for having some of the best whale watching in the northeast.

Gloucester is also home to many art and photography galleries. In addition to browsing the work of local artists, visitors can also check out small shops selling everything from jewelry to pottery. There are also many restaurants in the area serving local seafood. More local cultural attractions include the Gloucester Stage Company and annual events such as the Rockport Chamber Music Festival.

The best way to visit Bass Rocks is by car, in order to explore the rest of Cape Ann easily. It is also possible to reach the inn by taking the Commuter Rail out of North Station in Boston.

  • 1-hour ride on the Commuter Rail from Boston’s North Station to Gloucester, then a three mile taxi ride to the inn
  • 3-minute drive to Stop n’ Shop
  • 3-minute drive to Good Harbor Beach
  • 10-minute drive to Rockport, MA
  • 20-minute drive to Essex, MA
  • 20-minute drive to Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
  • 20-minute drive to Wingaersheek Beach, MA
  • 35-miles or 50-minute drive from Boston, MA
See More Location

Rooms

Well-maintained but old-fashioned rooms with waterfront views

This seaside inn is on the National Register of Historic Places and has decor to match. Expect plenty of old-fashioned furniture and floral prints, but rooms also have modern touches like duvet covers too. Most rooms have tube TVs (some suites have flat-screens) and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Rooms feature artwork by local artists, depicting lovely scenes from Cape Ann. Every room has a patio or deck (except the Stacy House), and although these spaces aren't private, they do allow guests to relax with a view of the ocean, gardens, or pool. The best views are found in the Seaside House.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Tube TVs with DVD players (some suites have flat-screens)
  • Air-conditioning
  • Mini-fridges
  • Most rooms have balconies or patios (except Stacy House)
  • Gilchrest and Soames bath products
  • Free local calls under 30 minutes
  • Seaside House: views of Bass Rocks, Good Harbor Beach, Land's End, Rockport, the Twin Lights, and the ocean
  • Oceanfront House: overlooks the rock garden, ocean, and swimming pool
  • Stacy House: suites with living area, Jacuzzi tubs, flat-screen TVs (and one suite with fireplace)
See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor heated pool, free bike rentals, and Wi-Fi

The Bass Rocks Ocean Inn has many features to help guests take advantage of the beautiful oceanfront location. Most rooms have patios and balconies with wicker chairs facing the ocean, and the outdoor heated pool has plentiful lounge chairs as well. A rooftop sun and observation deck is another option for sunbathing or reading. Personal touches give this inn character, such as cookies and lemonade each afternoon in the lobby. While offering quaint features like croquet and afternoon tea, the inn has entered the 21st century with free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

  • Waterfront location in historic Gloucester, Massachusetts
  • Outdoor heated pool overlooking the ocean (open Memorial Day to Labor Day)
  • Free Wi-Fi, with guest computer available for use
  • Rooftop sun and observation desk
  • Free daily continental breakfast
  • Afternoon tea, lemonade, and cookies in the lobby
  • Bicycles, croquet, darts, board games, lawn games, and DVD rentals for guests
  • Gas BBQ grills available
  • Bass Rocks Golf Club is next door (for an extra fee)
  • Discount parking pass to all Gloucester beaches
See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Ocean House Hotel at Bass Rocks

Scene

Family-friendly inn with stunning ocean views

The Bass Rocks Ocean Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The scene here is traditional and classic, with plenty of floral-patterned furniture and wicker chairs for enjoying the beautiful ocean views. Free breakfast is offered every morning, and snacks like cookies and lemonade are available in the lobby during the afternoon. Families will find plenty of on-site entertainment including a heated outdoor pool, croquet, and free bike rentals. Since the hotel is only open from May through October, the focus here is on outdoor activities and relaxation. The inn is located next to a golf course and is a short driving distance away from local beaches.

See More Scene

Location

On the waterfront in historic Gloucester, Massachusetts

Bass Rocks Ocean Inn is located 35 miles north of Boston on the waterfront in historic Gloucester, Massachusetts in an area known as Cape Ann. Gloucester is America's oldest seaport and is a popular summer destination for locals who prefer the North Shore to the traffic of Cape Cod. Cape Ann is home to several beautiful beaches including Good Harbor Beach, Long Beach, Singing Beach, and Wingaersheek Beach. This location is also known for having some of the best whale watching in the northeast.

Gloucester is also home to many art and photography galleries. In addition to browsing the work of local artists, visitors can also check out small shops selling everything from jewelry to pottery. There are also many restaurants in the area serving local seafood. More local cultural attractions include the Gloucester Stage Company and annual events such as the Rockport Chamber Music Festival.

The best way to visit Bass Rocks is by car, in order to explore the rest of Cape Ann easily. It is also possible to reach the inn by taking the Commuter Rail out of North Station in Boston.

  • 1-hour ride on the Commuter Rail from Boston’s North Station to Gloucester, then a three mile taxi ride to the inn
  • 3-minute drive to Stop n’ Shop
  • 3-minute drive to Good Harbor Beach
  • 10-minute drive to Rockport, MA
  • 20-minute drive to Essex, MA
  • 20-minute drive to Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
  • 20-minute drive to Wingaersheek Beach, MA
  • 35-miles or 50-minute drive from Boston, MA
See More Location

Rooms

Well-maintained but old-fashioned rooms with waterfront views

This seaside inn is on the National Register of Historic Places and has decor to match. Expect plenty of old-fashioned furniture and floral prints, but rooms also have modern touches like duvet covers too. Most rooms have tube TVs (some suites have flat-screens) and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Rooms feature artwork by local artists, depicting lovely scenes from Cape Ann. Every room has a patio or deck (except the Stacy House), and although these spaces aren't private, they do allow guests to relax with a view of the ocean, gardens, or pool. The best views are found in the Seaside House.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Tube TVs with DVD players (some suites have flat-screens)
  • Air-conditioning
  • Mini-fridges
  • Most rooms have balconies or patios (except Stacy House)
  • Gilchrest and Soames bath products
  • Free local calls under 30 minutes
  • Seaside House: views of Bass Rocks, Good Harbor Beach, Land's End, Rockport, the Twin Lights, and the ocean
  • Oceanfront House: overlooks the rock garden, ocean, and swimming pool
  • Stacy House: suites with living area, Jacuzzi tubs, flat-screen TVs (and one suite with fireplace)
See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor heated pool, free bike rentals, and Wi-Fi

The Bass Rocks Ocean Inn has many features to help guests take advantage of the beautiful oceanfront location. Most rooms have patios and balconies with wicker chairs facing the ocean, and the outdoor heated pool has plentiful lounge chairs as well. A rooftop sun and observation deck is another option for sunbathing or reading. Personal touches give this inn character, such as cookies and lemonade each afternoon in the lobby. While offering quaint features like croquet and afternoon tea, the inn has entered the 21st century with free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

  • Waterfront location in historic Gloucester, Massachusetts
  • Outdoor heated pool overlooking the ocean (open Memorial Day to Labor Day)
  • Free Wi-Fi, with guest computer available for use
  • Rooftop sun and observation desk
  • Free daily continental breakfast
  • Afternoon tea, lemonade, and cookies in the lobby
  • Bicycles, croquet, darts, board games, lawn games, and DVD rentals for guests
  • Gas BBQ grills available
  • Bass Rocks Golf Club is next door (for an extra fee)
  • Discount parking pass to all Gloucester beaches
See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.