The Seaglass Inn & Spa

From the outside, the property looks like most traditional motels, which makes sense as its previous life was as a Best Western. Thankfully, almost all of the chain-hotel blandness has been stripped away by the hotel's current owners and what's left is a sharp, modern property with a good bit of Cape Cod charm. While much of the exterior structure remains, interiors feature crisp, contemporary design elements with tasteful nautical-themed accents. Right off the bat, the lobby establishes a distinct, New England-inspired aesthetic for the entire property -- think: tall wingback chairs, wide plank hardwood floors, and pale gray walls with crisp white trim. Overall, the fit and finish is plusher than one would expect of a mid-range hotel. While the property is kid-friendly, the relaxed vibe seems more appropriate for adults than families with children.

The Seaglass Inn lies a half-mile from downtown Provincetown on one of the area’s highest points. The hilltop vantage point provides excellent views of the ocean and surrounding town. While its West End location means a 10- to 15-minute walk to Commercial Street and other downtown destinations, free golf cart transportation is provided to take guests to most hotspots. As an alternative, the hotel also offers bike rentals for exploring the area. Downtown Provincetown -- a historic artists colony and LGBT community -- is packed with cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, high-end boutiques, and galleries, and during the summer there are different festivals almost every week. By car, the inn is also within five minutes of Herring Cove Beach and 10 minutes from Race Point Beach.There are few viable public transportation options for guests looking to travel from the nearest major airports, Logan International in Boston and T.F. Green in Providence. Out-of-town guests will likely need to rent a car to get here, or if they want to explore the Cape. Provincetown Municipal Airport is less than 10 minutes from the hotel, though flights to and from Boston are limited and expensive. Alternatively, guests can take the Provincetown Ferry directly from Boston -- the fast ferry makes the trip in about 90 minutes.

Every category of room features a sharp, bright look that's distinctively modern, with a color palette drawing heavily on contemporary trends like dark wood furniture, pale gray walls, and tweed carpeting in most rooms. It all feels a step above the average mid-range hotel, with schoolhouse fixtures like chrome bedside lamps adding a nice dash of sophistication, and the lack of wall art gives the rooms a minimalist aesthetic.Most rooms feature one-room layouts with minor variations in floor space. The primary difference from one category to another is the bed configuration (one king or two queens) and the view. Entry-level Deluxe Rooms offer a view of the parking lot or grounds while upgraded Pool View Rooms provide shared balcony space overlooking the pool and garden. West-facing Sunset Rooms feature excellent, unobstructed views of the horizon. A single Family Suite is also available for families and larger groups. The suite consists of two adjoining rooms with a separate bedroom, two bathrooms, and a living area with a pullout sofa bed.Every room comes with a nice amount of modern features, including an electric fireplace, a mini-fridge, air-conditioning, single-cup coffeemakers, and a 40-inch flat-screen TV. Free Wi-Fi is also available, and the service was fast and stable during our stay. The king- and queen-size beds in all rooms are well-reviewed as plush and comfortable, with white duvets and bed linens.Bathroom size is typical of a hotel in this category, but the decor is generally just as crisp and modern as the rooms. White porcelain tile walls, dark, wood laminate flooring, and wide pedestal sinks add a distinct upmarket touch. Glass shower stalls with chrome Delta fixtures are likewise a step above the fit and finish of an average hotel. Somewhat disappointingly, some of the bathrooms have yet to be renovated and have the look of the previous Best Western property, with dated fixtures and tile floors.

While the inn offers all of the amenities most guests would expect from a mid-range property, each one is noteworthy. The heated outdoor pool, spacious garden, and charming spa are all surprising touches.While tiny, the on-site spa is a nice-to-have for a smaller budget hotel. The space features a soft purple-and-green color scheme with modern Zen furnishings. Treatments include Swedish, deep tissue, and couples’ massages. The saltwater pool and surrounding patio offer additional relaxation opportunities. The clean and well-kept space features several dozen lounge chairs plus some patio sets. Between the tall trees abutting one side of the pool and a handful of umbrellas, there's ample shade throughout the day. While it’s only open seasonally, the fact that the pool is heated extends the season by at least a month. Like much of the hotel, the vibe is quiet and relaxed. Outside the tall fence surrounding the pool, a spacious garden area serves as the hotel’s centerpiece. The area is also shaded with a number of individual seating areas that all feel quiet, secluded, and private.The hotel lacks a full-service restaurant. However, a continental breakfast that includes yogurt, pastries, fresh fruit, and coffee or tea is served daily in a bright, sunny, lounge area off the lobby -- many guests eat outside on the lawn as well.Several spacious lots provide substantial free parking for hotel guests. As with all of Provincetown, the area is safe and secure. Like many area hotels, Seaglass Inn provides pet-friendly rooms. Availability is limited, however, and requires a per-stay fee. Bike rentals are also available and are a popular way to get around town. The hotel has bike racks for guests wishing to bring their own. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.