Horizons Beach Resort

The Cape is lined with motels of all stripes, some with lots of vintage local charm and some that have seen better days. Horizons Beach Resort is somewhere between the two. Divided among two main buildings and a handful of smaller buildings that house the hotel’s Two-Bedroom Suites, the main beachfront building features a bi-level design while a second three-floor building sits across the street -- all typical of many area motels. While the gray vinyl siding, pitched roofs, and crisp white trim are a subtle nod to New England aesthetics, the architecture lacks any real local flavor. There's not much in the way of a vibe here in terms of social life, though this is pretty typical of most hotels in this category in the region, and the style is a bit dated throughout. 

That being said, most travelers are here for one thing: the beach -- and that is lovely. A wood-plank boardwalk leading through the dunes around the property provides opportunities for a relaxing stroll near the beach. The combined private beach and outdoor pool offer substantial communal space with more than enough room for guests to spread out. Even at capacity, neither feels crowded. While visitors are as likely to find couples as vacationing families, overall the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed.

Equidistant from Truro and Provincetown, Horizons Beach Resort is a 10-minute drive to the restaurants, shops, and beaches of both towns. The Cape Cod National Seashore and two of the state’s most stunning beaches -- Race Point Beach and Herring Cove Beach -- are approximately 15 minutes away by car. The immediate area is full of other small hotels and resorts, though there’s little of interest within walking distance.

Along with the lack of nearby attractions, guests will likely need to rent a car to get around. The two closest major airports -- Logan International in Boston and T.F. Green in Providence -- are more than two hours away. Downtown Boston is also accessible via the seasonal Provincetown Ferry -- the crossing takes three hours via the traditional ferry and 90 minutes via the fast ferry. From there, it's a 15-minute ride on Boston's Silver Line to Logan Airport.

Room decor is simple and clean, but dated. The nightstands, coffee tables, and TV armoires have a budget, flat-box feel, and most furniture comes in a light wood veneer reminiscent of earlier times. Every other accent -- including dark, low-pile carpeting, bare walls, patterned bedspreads, and vinyl and wood chairs -- all create a look that's mostly underwhelming. The color palette is appropriately beachy, though, with soft blues, tans, and grays throughout. The addition of a full kitchen in every unit is an added bonus, meaning budget-minded guests can save money on dining out.

Luckily, the hotel offers better amenities than most would expect of a two-pearl motel. Entry-level Terrace Dunes and RCI Rooms are in a building across the street from the main building, beach, and pool. The floor plans are studio efficiencies with apartment-like amenities, including flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and the aforementioned kitchens with stoves, refrigerators, microwaves, dinnerware, and utensils. Shared patios are available on the first floor while second- and third-floor rooms feature private balconies with ocean views. Mid-level Shorefront Rooms are situated in the main building overlooking the beach. Each offers more than 500 square feet of living space (46 square meters) and all of the same amenities above. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, however, many guests complain of spotty, unreliable service. The beds in all rooms are widely reviewed as comfortable.

The hotel’s Two-Bedroom Suites are at least twice the size of its Shorefront Rooms. Each is individually owned and decorated. All feature spacious, house-like floor plans with separate living, dining, and sleeping areas. The master bedroom in each has one king bed and a decent amount of floor space, comparable to a residential bedroom. The second bedroom features either two twin beds or a twin bunk configuration, however, many guests complain about the room’s tiny, closet-like size. Some of these units are a bit more modern than lower-category rooms, and the suite we visited had wood laminate floors with a blend of vintage and homey furniture plus a fireplace.

Bathrooms in all entry-level rooms feel slightly more updated than their respective rooms. Some feature split-designs (with the sink and vanity in the main room), while others include all bathroom amenities. However, they are tiny, bordering on cramped. All feature combination shower/tubs and limited space around sinks. Bathrooms in Two-Bedroom Suites are slightly larger and better-appointed than those in a budget chain motel.

The number of on-site communal amenities is small, however, each one is noteworthy. The hotel’s wide, soft sand beach offers lovely views of Cape Cod Bay while the adjacent outdoor pool just steps from the water provides plenty of beachfront relaxation space.

The pool is clean and adequate in size given the hotel’s capacity. Situated directly adjacent to the beach, it offers lovely bay views. However, the view is somewhat obscured by tall beach grass just outside the surrounding fence. A row of basic metal and plastic lounge chairs surround the space, and the hotel is only open seasonally (approximately May through October).

Along the western edge of the property, a 500-foot (152 meter), private beach provides lovely bay views. It’s one of the few places in Massachusetts where guests can watch the sunset over the ocean. Be aware that the hotel does not provide chairs, umbrellas, or any other amenities on the sand. The waters around Cape Cod, particularly on the bay side, are calm and swimmable almost any time of year. However, the temperature ranges from cold to cool even in the summer.

Off-street lots on either side of the street provide free self-parking. Like much of Cape Cod, the surrounding is quiet, safe, and secure. Wi-Fi is free, but as mentioned, can be unreliable.