Never Leave the Compound at Cape Cod's Ocean Edge Resort

Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Cape Cod, Brewster, Massachusetts
Preppy Family Compound, $$

When the vacation checklist calls for maximum summer fun and minimum travel planning — and easy access to major cities in the Northeast USA — a big seaside beach resort should top the list. One with lots of space, activities, room, and options for the whole family, whether they're sporty as all get-out or lazy as can be. At the top of any short list: award-winning Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club. Located in Brewster, a charming and artsy town on the eastern edge of Massachusetts where the land juts up to form the hook, the resort is an easy drive from popular Cape Cod towns like Provincetown and Hyannis. But no one will blame you if you stay put on the 429-acre compound and never venture outside, considering everything there is to do here. Like kayaking, tennis, biking, golfing, and swimming, or just spa-ing and chilling on the big private beach, where the bay waters are calm enough for little swimmers.

Book It

Click here for reservations, and don't forget to check for special offers the hotel may be running. Pro tip: For the best treatment and care, cut out the middleman and book directly with the hotel.

At a Glance

The Vibe: A New England beach community.

Standout Detail: The setting and extensive range of amenities and activities. Also, we commend any hotel that has a Director of Fun on staff.

This Place Is Perfect For: A family getaway, especially when different family members have different ideas of fun.

Rooms: The accommodation options are plentiful and extensive, with 342 total rooms divided among The Mansion and The Villages. The Mansion, built in 1912, includes 90 rooms and suites in Nickerson Mansion (named for the original owner) and the Presidential Bay Collection of 31 villas and townhouses. Guest at The Mansion are near the pools, tennis courts, Ocean Terrace restaurant, and the private beach. 

The one- to three-bedroom villas in The Villages are designed with longer stays for families and couples, with separate living and sleeping areas and practical amenities like kitchenettes and washer/dryers. Guest here have varying levels of access to resort offerings. The pet-friendly, one-bedroom Arbor Villas do not come with access to the private beach but do come with shuttle service to nearby Crosby Beach. The one-bedroom Britteridge Villas recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation but do not have beach access. The two- and three-bedroom Endicott & Edinborourgh Villas along the golf course were also recently renovated and have full kitchens and can fit up to eight guests. The decor varies but is traditional, in a palette of creams and blues, with beachy accents.

On Site: For the active: Troon Privé is their 18-hole, Nicklaus Design golf course, where PGA pros are on hand for lessons and pointers. Kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals on the bay or Blueberry Pond. Nine tennis courts in two separate complexes, with Har-Tru and Plexipave surfaces and beginner or advanced lessons from USPTA-certified pros. Of the five pools throughout the resort, three are seasonal. The year-round Fletcher Pool Complex includes indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, and a sauna. Rent a resort Freedom Flyer bike and explore 26 scenic miles along the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Several fitness centers offer equipment and gear, as well as personal trainers and classes like Tai Chi, Pilates, spinning, and aqua fitness. On summer weekends, the hotel offers complimentary oyster bed tours, a nice intro to aquaculture.

Ready to relax yet? The Beach House Spa has five treatment rooms and a roster of facials, massages, mani-pedi, and other beauty services, as well as seasonal offerings like meditation and acupuncture. Bay Pines Beach is the resort’s 700-foot private beach. As noted, guests have different levels of access to this beach, but there are many beach options in the area.

The resort also has a total of 21,000 square feet of indoor meeting and function spaces. But you don't want to think about work right now, do you?

Food + Drink: Five options range from casual to fancy. On the Mansion side are the flagship restaurant, Ocean Terrace (overlooking the bay), Bayzo's Pub (styled like an English tavern), and Beach Bar (open seasonally on the dunes). On the Villages side are Linx Tavern on the golf course (open seasonally for lunch and dinner) and Shark Bah (say it out loud to sound like a local), which offers swim-up movies, frozen drinks, and a wicked-good time.

What to Do Nearby

As mentioned, the resort could easily occupy you the whole time, but you should leave the compound for a whale-watching excursion with Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises or a seal-spotting tour with Monomoy Island Excursions. Other local attractions include Nickerson State Park, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Pilgrim Monument, and award-winning Truro Vineyards, which offers tastings daily. 

If you're heading to the end of the Cape, check out our guide to Provincetown.

This article was originally published in 2020 and was updated in 2023.