Chatham Tides

Occupying a series of bungalows with cedar shakes shingle siding in classic Cape-Cod-weathered gray, Chatham Tides sits in a prime beachfront location that’s off-the-beaten path. A small, private beach offers the perfect spot for relaxation or swimming, and it's an ideal starting point for long walks. Guests are surprised by how quiet and uncrowded the beach area is, even in summer. The property is split into several houses that contain Efficiency Rooms, Suites, or Townhouses. The lobby is Chatham Tides' only common area besides the beach, and has outdated decor, such as a grandmotherly floral couch and maple-wood accents. But it’s clean and functional with a reception desk and a table full of brochures and maps. The property is ideal for couples and families who want a relaxing vacation and plan to spend lots of time at the beach.

Sitting at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Barnstable county’s quaint town of Chatham, Chatham Tides has its own private beach that’s quiet and uncrowded. Considered part of the Lower Cape, Chatham is positioned on the elbow of Cape Cod’s bent arm. Chatham Tides itself looks out onto Nantucket Sound, which is home to some of Cape Cod’s warmest waters. Guests will likely want to spend their time at the beach right outside the front door, but day trips to local Cape Cod attractions are doable by car, and guests can be at the center of Chatham in about 10 minutes.

• Seven-minute drive to Freedom Cruise Line (with one-hour ferry ride to Nantucket)
• 11-minute drive to downtown Chatham
• 25-minute drive to Cape Playhouse (Dennis)
• 30-minute drive to Hyannis
• 33-minute drive to Barnstable Municipal Airport
• 35-minute drive to Hy-Line Cruises (with one-hour ferry ride to Martha’s Vineyard)
• 40-minute drive to Heritage Museums & Gardens (Sandwich)
• One-hour drive to Provincetown
• One-hour-and-forty-minutes to Boston Logan International Airport

Chatham Tides offers Efficiency Rooms, Suites, or Townhouses, all of which include a kitchen or kitchenette, bedroom, en-suite or exterior sitting area, and a outdoor sundeck with an ocean view. Units are clean, with lots of amenities and individually controlled AC units. Even the smallest rooms at Chatham Tides include a mini-fridge, sink, two-burner electric stove, toaster, coffeemaker, while larger rooms have full fridges, dinnerware and cookware, and microwaves.

In 2016, the nautical-themed units received much-needed upgrades, such as new carpeting and furniture, as well as fresh decor elements like colorful modern artwork or photography and contemporary headboards. Bathrooms are small but modern, with beach-themed blue walls, shell-shaped sinks and either a standing shower or a shower/tub combo. Few toiletries are included, other than some shampoo and soap stashed in the bathroom cabinet.

Efficiency Rooms get mixed reviews. Some guests complain that quarters are tight, especially in the shower stalls, and that “private” sundecks are actually connected to decks from other rooms. But others recommend these rooms because most of these sit right along the beach. 

All rooms also include cable TV and free Wi-Fi.

Other than in-room features, such as kitchenettes and sundecks, Chatham Tides has little in the way of on-site features other than its own private beach -- which many guests say is plenty. The beach is quintessential Cape Cod sans-crowds, flat with light-colored sand and the fairly calm, warm waters of Nantucket Sound. The actual private beach area is fairly small and marked by two rickety fences, but the public beach it sits beside is quiet and uncrowded. In addition to wading and swimming, there is plenty of room beyond the private beach to go on long walks. And the property supplies wooden chairs and loungers near the water’s edge.