Ocean Edge Resort: A Family-Friendly Hotel on Cape Cod

Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club hosted Holly’s trip, but her opinions and thoughts are her own.

In the heart of a small town in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, called Brewster sits a mansion-like property called Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club. Built in 1890 and renovated about 30 years ago and recently, this picturesque resort is transporting. At first glance, the architecture is reminiscent of something you’d find in the Mediterranean or Southern California but after a visit, you’ll find all the romantic, nautical touches of Cape Cod. From its décor to its position on the water, the owners have taken great care to make the hotel an ultimate place to stay for families on the Cape.

Family-Friendly Ocean Edge Resort on Cape Cod

I opted to take my 10-year-old daughter with me for a visit to explore the property. Upon exploring the web site, before our visit, I knew that our time at Ocean Edge would offer us a chance to deepen our already existing connection and explore the best of Cape Cod.

Getting There and How Long to Stay

Ocean Edge is 95 miles or two hours away from Boston. From NYC, it is approximately 245 miles. It’s definitely worth planning to stay a few days to a week. There is so much to do, not just at Ocean Edge, but also in the town of Brewster and beyond. If you want to explore Cape Cod, it’s best to have access to a car.

See Nancy Solomon’s article on navigating Cape Cod with kids for an excellent round up of local towns and attractions, and Paul Eisenberg’s list of family-friendly things to do in Cape Cod.

Accommodations at Ocean Edge

Upon arrival at Ocean Edge, the dazzling views of Cape Cod Bay from the historic Nickerson family Mansion and Carriage House enchanted us. We were positioned with a room on the mansion side in one of its 90 newly renovated rooms in the Mansion Guest Wings.

The rooms are spacious and decorated with a nautical Cape Cod feel, yet completely modern style. The beds were amazingly comfortable, decked out with sheets by a brand called Comphy, which they truly were. We also had free Wifi, cable, plush bathrobes and a flat screen TV.

These rooms run an average of $225 a night. The two of us literally couldn’t wait to get back to the room after our activities for a rest. We put the robes on and just vegetated in pure bliss. And when we wanted, we could step outside and walk down to the beach. And there were personal touches. When our beds were turned, the towels were twisted into the shape of animals and we found an exotic elephant on our bed.

If you plan on heading to Ocean Edge and want something less expensive, the Villages side of Ocean Edge spans over 300 acres with spacious 1-2 and 3-bedroom Villas with rates starting at $129 per night.

For something even more luxurious, the resort offers a Presidential Bay Collection with villas ranging in size from 1,000- 1,600 square feet, featuring layers of detail in bedding, built-ins, artwork and accent features that bring a modern feel to the beach side villas, while maintaining a nod to the traditions of Cape Cod. These include a Personal Concierge who will even do your grocery shopping! Rates start at $600 per night. Wherever you stay at Ocean Edge, it’s sure to be comfortable and cozy.

Highlights of Our Visit

Since we had a limited amount of time at Ocean Edge, and there is so much to do, my daughter really had to focus her energy on what she wanted to do most. She was delighted by the opportunity to have s’mores on the beach after the sun had gone down. That was a real experience for both of us, and it’s something that the hotel offers to its guests regularly.

It was on our first night and as I sat with my glass of wine overlooking the bay in front of a bonfire, I took in that Cape Cod feeling you get from even the shortest visit. It really set us both up for the adventure we knew were having together.

For our day of adventure at Ocean Edge, we chose to rent bikes and rode along the famous Cape Cod Bike Trail all the way to Orleans. It is a 5-mile trip both ways, but the trail is 26 miles long.

We made it to the Chocolate Sparrow, a coffee and chocolate store in Orleans and browsed around the shops. After our ride, we cooled off in one of the resort’s 3 outdoor pools (the hotel also has 3 indoor pools in case of rain). Then we engaged in a fantastic tennis clinic with an instructor named Jim. It was a great work out and a great refresher course for me on the sport.

 As the day came to a close, we took a stroll down to the beach. Mansion guests have access to a private tidal beach while Village guests can purchase beach badges. We picked seashells and dipped our feet in the lovely ocean water. All in all, it was a day of fun and luxury for both of us, and we experienced everything we love most about the Cape.

The resort offers a lot of other activities for families including golf (guests have access to the private Nicklaus Design golf course), tours at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, junior sports camps and dive in movie nights. They also offer daily shuttles into town, to the bike rental shed and elsewhere should you need transportation.

 Where to Eat

Dining at Ocean Edge offers something for everyone, and there are plenty of options for families. They serve a buffet breakfast daily on the main floor of the Mansion, which offers options for everyone, from cereal to pancakes to fruit to eggs.

At Bayzo’s Pub, located downstairs inside the Mansion, an English tavern that is casual dining, we were able to sit back with drinks and enjoy traditional pub fare with a healthy twist for dinner one night. My daughter had a simple bowl of spaghetti and meatballs off the children’s menu so there was no battle with her sometimes-picky palette.

At the Ocean Terrace, we had drinks upon arrival, looking out at the gorgeous sunset and the breathtaking views of the Cape. We also had lunch there the next day, perfect after a morning of busy activity. The menu is truly Cape Cod-esque, offering a sampling of fish from the bay.

They serve lobster corn puffs, tuna tartar nicoise, a swordfish club, scallops and ritz-crusted cod.  I was happy to introduce my daughter to the delicacies of the Cape Cod sea. Outside the premises, the hotel also owns the Linx Tavern, which we took a shuttle to.  Located on the Villages side of the resort near the golf course, they also offer casual fare with Cape Cod flair: fish tacos, shrimp cocktail, fish & chips, roasted scrod and more. I would be lying if I said that everything we tasted wasn’t delicious. Because it was!

One more thing: If you have a sweet tooth, take a trip to Brewster Scoop at the Brewster General Store where they have gorgeous, large scoops of homemade ice-cream.  Just beware of the small parking lot.

 Verdict?

After a day and a half of total relaxation in Cape Cod, we both agree that Ocean Edge is the ultimate place to stay on a trip to Cape Cod. We’ll be adding Ocean Edge to the CB! Hotel Collection.

Photos provided by Ocean Edge Resort except where noted