Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Aerie House and Beach Club, Provincetown, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Nominated By: Teresa W at Swim and Communicate with Whales, Big Sur, California, April '11

Price Range: US$45-$330 (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 11 Kid-Friendly: yes (and dog-friendly too)

What makes the Aerie House and Beach Club Guesthouse so Darn Good? Both the Aerie Guest House and Beach Club are private, quiet, and have excellent locations with spectacular views of the bay. The affable owners, Dave and Steve, are extremely helpful and dog-friendly to boot.

Location: Provincetown, at the very tip of Cape Cod, boasts eclectic shops, excellent art galleries, and fabulous restaurants, and is one of the best places in the United States to spot North Atlantic humpback whales. Sitting on top of Miller Hill, one of the highest elevations in P-town, the Guest House offers panoramic views of Provincetown Harbor and Cape Cod Bay. The Beach Club, where I stayed, is on Commercial Street right on the beach. Both properties are in Provincetown's East End gallery district and are only a five minute walk from town center.

Rooms: Aerie House has seven guest rooms, ranging from economical rooms with shared baths to two bedroom suites. The Beach Club has four beach-front apartments with full kitchens, plus a private beach with chaise lounges available to all guests. I watched the sunset every night from my beach club balcony – without a doubt, one of the best views in P-town!

Food: Guests staying at both properties can enjoy breakfast at the Guest House, which includes wonderful egg dishes, home-made baked goods, bagels, and fresh fruit. When the weather is good, breakfast is served on the second floor deck overlooking the bay. Since I stayed at the Beach Club, I enjoyed cooking some of my meals in my very own kitchen.

Vibe: Dave and Steve make things easy with champagne chilling in the fridge, an impressive DVD library, and a fleet of complimentary bicycles.

Keep in Mind: P-town is a popular summer destination, but quiet in the winter, so prices and availability vary widely depending when you go.