Cape Codder Resort & Spa

The three-pearl Cape Codder Resort & Spa has beachy decor and features artwork by local crafters. Spread across several buildings -- most with house-like features including gray-blue siding and gray roofs -- this property is a small compound overflowing with amenities including a range of indoor and outdoor activity spaces, a spa, and restaurants. The lobby is stylish and homey, decorated in neutral colors with pops of fresh white. Light wood floors offer a nice contrast for the high ceiling inset with gray cross beams. Soft gray couches, armchairs, and a central fireplace with sailboat and fish mantle decor offer guests a cozy place to read or relax. The front desk and lobby tables have built-in display cases that show off sand, shells, stones, and sea glass beneath. Best of all is the Chihuly-like glass sculptures, created by a local studio, that hang from the ceiling and feature a reef-inspired design with glass fish swimming throughout.

A separate area in the lobby includes a few tables and chairs and a homey shelf-unit wall filled with locally made or beach-themed art (including black and white photos of JFK, who had a home in Hyannis) and lots of travel brochures. Families with children are the Cape Codder’s number one clientele due to the on-site wave pool, outdoor pool, and kid-friendly activities. But with a full service spa and large event rooms, the resort hosts weddings and other celebrations, so it’s not rare to see groups of friends or couples, too.

Situated in a complex near a busy intersection in easy walking distance to a commercial area with a grocery store and a mall, the Cape Codder Resort & Spa may not be beachfront, but the location in the Hyannis area means that it has convenient access to many of Cape Cod’s hotspots. Hyannis’ Main Street is a seven-minute drive away, while guests can get to the harbor (with ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard) as well as several different beaches in 10 to 15 minutes. Still, this isn’t the place for those who want to make daily trips to the beach, but with on-site indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and several restaurants, the Cape Codder encourages guests to stay put. On-site parking is free.

• Seven-minute drive to downtown Hyannis
• Seven-minute drive to Barnstable Municipal Airport
• Nine-minute drive to Hyline Ferries Steamship Authority (ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket)
• 10-minute drive to Craigville Beach
• 13-minute drive to Kalmus Park Beach
• 70-minute drive to Provincetown
• 90-minute drive to Boston Logan International Airport
• Two hours to Martha’s Vineyard via car and ferry
• Two hours and 20 minutes to Nantucket via car and ferry

From single rooms with king-size beds to two-story suites to the vast three-bedroom Cape Codder Residence, rooms at this resort offer a range of sizes and decor, though all sport a similar beach-inspired style. Some guests complain about wear and tear and dated decor, but room satisfaction largely depends on whether guests have a renovated room or not. (The hotel will continue to renovate rooms through Summer 2016.)

The smallest room is the Deluxe Room, which includes a king-size bed or two queen-size ones. It has tasteful, if a touch generic, decor and features striped beige walls, beachy white-wood furniture, slatted headboards, wall-to-wall carpeting, ocean-themed paintings, and floral fabric accents. Some of the larger suites are less generic with blue walls or large beach-themed murals, in-room whirlpool tubs, canopy beds, or working fireplaces. In the Deluxe Room, the bathroom features a strange combination of patterned beige wallpaper and a black and white marbled sink. Bathrooms are decently sized but not huge, with a large vanity, shower/tub combo, and individual Olive Branch Botanicals toiletries. 

All rooms include work desks, armchairs, flat-screen TVs with on-demand movies, individually controlled air-conditioning, coffee making facilities, hairdryers, and irons and ironing boards. Most rooms also have mini-fridges. While there is free in-room Wi-Fi, guests say that it’s slow. Light sleepers should consider rooms that face the parking lot; rooms that overlook the outdoor pool or courtyard have better views but are noisier.

The Cape Codder Resort & Spa's many property features are geared toward vacation-goers, families, and large-scale parties (such as weddings). The grounds features small gardens and grassy and sandy areas with picnic tables or lounge chairs for outdoor lounging. An outdoor sandpit surrounds a central fire pit, and guests can buy s’more fixings for a small extra fee. A small playground has a slide and swings, while another area features a net and sand for playing beach volleyball.

Families with kids are drawn to this property for the large, indoor wave pool and a year-round heated outdoor pool. The indoor pool has two-foot waves, waterslides, cascading water umbrellas, and a 24-person whirlpool. The decor is fun with a huge model ark attached to the waterslide, faux rocks, long windows that let in lots of natural light, and beach-themed murals. The outdoor heated saltwater pool is smaller but still spacious with a cascading waterfall structure and a night time LED light show. Pool use is free for guests, but requires a daily armband to use. Children under 16 must have an adult with them. 

The on-site gym is housed in a tasteful room painted neutral brown with ample windows letting in light. Lots of cardio and weight-lifting equipment are on hand, including free weights and yoga mats. The Beach Plum Spa and Med-Spa offers massages, waxing, facials, manicures and pedicures, haircuts, spray tans, bridal services, and more. It only uses certified-organic products. The decor largely hinges on the color purple and is a little 80s, but not offensive. 

There are several on-site eateries including the Grand Cru Wine Bar & Grill, the Hearth ’n Kettle Restaurant, and The Deck, which offers outdoor dining during good weather. While all restaurants are kid-friendly, the Hearth ’n Kettle (which has all wood decor) has more of a family atmosphere, but the food gets mixed reviews that range from fabulous to horrible. Room service is also available, and spa guests can request to take their meals there.

There's a daily calendar of events, which could include an ice cream social or dance party for kids, yoga by the pool for adults, and movies under the stars for the family. Some of these cost extra fees, though it's usually not exorbitant.

An on-site boutique gift shop sells locally made and beach-themed jewelry and home accessories, while an arcade room gives kids a spot to hangout. Same-day dry cleaning is available Monday through Saturday. A total of 10 on-site meeting and function venues can host up to 400 people for weddings or other parties or special occasions. 

Guests should note that the resort is undergoing construction in Summer of 2016 to add a water park with a lazy river, waterslides, and more. The hotel will remain open and will not undergo construction on the weekends.

Wi-Fi is free throughout, though it can be slow at times.