The Villages at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club

Tucked between 18 holes of greens, the Villages at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club sits on huge manicured grounds with two ponds: the Blueberry Pond -- with kayaking and paddle boarding -- and Salls Pond. Shuttle stops are located throughout the property to help guests get around. It sits across the street from the more upscale (and pricier) sister property -- The Mansion -- which overlooks Cape Cod Bay. Comfortable and basic furnishings fill the registration office, which has a family-friendly vibe (note the putting mat for kids), and a table with baked treats and flavored water.

This Villages is located in Brewster, across from its sister resort, The Mansion, which is on the other side of Route 6A and takes 10 minutes to reach on foot. Passes to six area beaches can be purchased at check-in and a free shuttle takes guests to Crosby Beach, a three-minute ride. The Stony Brook Grist Mill is an eight-minute drive away, and it takes five minutes by car to reach the Roland C. Nickerson State Park and Crosby Mansion. Chatham is 20 minutes by car, and getting to Wellfleet takes 30 minutes. Provincetown is an hour's drive away.

The beach-cottage style in rooms is classic and simple, with white or pinewood furniture and seaside-inspired decor. Appealing to families and groups of travelers, the 242 spacious villas have living rooms, dining areas, balconies or patios, and kitchens with dishwashers, microwaves, coffeemakers, stovetops or ovens/stove, toasters, kettles, and refrigerators. All include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and irons/ironing boards. Some villas also have washers/dryers and fireplaces. Most bathrooms are covered with white penny tile, and all come with shower/tub combos or walk-in showers.  Villas are spread out across the big property and come in one- to three-bedroom configurations. Arbor Villas, which have kitchenettes, and Endicott/Edinborough Villas are located near the Arbor Pool, while Britterige Villas are by the office. 

The property's host of facilities and services are geared so guests can spend their entire vacation on the massive property. The main draw for many visitors is the 18-hole championship golf course, which has a clubhouse, a pro shop, and its own eatery, the Linx Tavern & Bar. Other dining options include the poolside Shark Bah and the Bayzo’s Pub, which has live entertainment. The Ocean Terrace at The Mansion has views of Cape Cod Bay. The Villages doesn’t offer room service, but takeout is available.Two indoor pools are open throughout the year, and there are three additional outdoor pools, two kids' pools, hot tubs, and saunas. Bicycles can be rented to cruise down the Cape Cod Rail Trail, directly accessible from the property. Active guests can also take advantage of volleyball and basketball courts, 11 outdoor tennis courts, a cardio room, and a fitness center with modern equipment. A full-service spa is at The Mansion, the resort's sister property a 10-minute walk away. In the summer months, the resort offers ample kids' activities, a golf and tennis sports camp, and a kids’ club for children ages four to nine. Outdoor movies are screened by the Arbor Pool. There are also 15 meeting rooms and outdoor venues for rent, which can accommodate five to 500 people. A business center provides faxing, copying, and printing services. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and there's free on-site parking, though the lot can fill up during events. Note that there's a mandatory resort fee added to all bills.