Cottage Classics

Featured Stories & Articles from Cape Cod Travel Magazine: Cottage Classics

Kick off your flip-flops by the screen door. Nothing beats a beach cottage for a true Cape Cod vacation, where bare feet and a swimsuit are the day’s uniform and most meals unfold on a weathered deck or covered porch. Today’s vacation homes may tend toward the upscale, but a number of cottage retreats mix modern convenience with old fashioned charm, a stone’s throw from the shore.

Tucked away from the Main Street bustle, Captain Gosnold Village might be one of Hyannis Center’s best-kept secrets. Built in the early ‘50s and ‘60s, the cute year-round cottages come with decks, gas grills, and fully equipped kitchens, all just a quick walk to the beach and harbor, though you simply may want to enjoy the grounds or sit by the pool. “There’s tremendous charm in staying in a cottage on Cape Cod,” says manager Jill Golden. “This is a low-key, relaxed spot. You don’t have to eat out for every meal. You can stay home and cook hamburgers and hot dogs, or order a pizza.”

On Cape Cod Bay in North Truro, Kalmar Village has been owned by the same family for generations. Guests can choose among efficiencies and saltbox cottages, some set right on the beach. “It’s authentic Cape Cod with a wide-open landscape,” says owner David Prelack. “Our beach is an ideal host to shorebirds, so there is a wonderful natural habitat to enjoy.” Whether you stroll the sand flats or kick back in the evening by the fire pit on the beach, Kalmar Village offers carefree appeal and amenities such as WiFi, a pool, and even maid service.

Private cottages are a popular option for travelers seeking a quiet spot all to themselves. You’ll hit the jackpot in Brewster, whether you’re looking for upscale, quaint, or something in between. At 157 Robbins Hill Rd., for example, a modern kitchen adjoins a wood-paneled great room with bay views, perfect for unwinding post-beach with cocktails or popcorn. “It has that classic Cape Cod feeling,” says Kinlin Grover Rental Associate Suzanne Garganigo. Another short walk from the beach, the four-bedroom house at 376 Paines Creek Rd. mixes antique and casual furnishings for a comfortable getaway with seaside charm.

The towns of the Outer Cape provide stunning backdrops to cottage living. At 110 Crosby Village Rd. in Eastham, a two-bedroom getaway on Herring Pond boasts a private clearing for freshwater swimming.

“It’s the epitome of an old-fashioned cottage,” says Mary Carey, rental reservation manager at William Raveis. For sweeping views, look to Nauset Heights. Atop a stairway to heaven (yes, the beach), the four bedroom home at 56 Nauset Rd. offers casual ambience. “It’s got a lot of charm,” says Carey. “The whole area is known for these regal cottages, many built around the ‘20s and ‘30s, overlooking the ocean.”

After 75 years in business, Duarte/Downey Real Estate holds the keys to some of the Outer Cape’s great escapes. Built in the 1800s, a Ballston Beach four-bedroom cottage is located on the dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore. “You won’t find a lot of these,” says owner Steven Downey. “You can sit on the porch and watch the seals right in front of you.” Several smaller “cutie-pie” cottages for rent, says Downey, also offer a sense of history, passed down through generations of family. “These are homes where you don’t have to worry about tracking sand on the floors,” Downey says.

Don’t think you can’t find some old-fashioned sensibility online. Weneedavacation.com owners Joan and Jeff Talmadge created their site to foster relationships between renters and homeowners. “It establishes a personal connection,” says Joan. “The owners can make sure their home offers what the tenants are looking for, and it’s easy for vacationers to find exactly the amenities and features they want.” One of the site’s pinch-me rentals includes a waterfront East Harwich cottage (property 13584) with its own dock and private beach, a mix of quaint and modern beauty with updated amenities, a touch of country style and quiet lake views.

Sometimes the greatest luxury is an escape to simpler times.