A painted figurehead greets guests arriving at The Rose & Crown (158 Commercial St., 508/487-3332, www.provincetown.com/rosecrown [1], $55–285), a unique guesthouse located in the center of town. Rooms are small but imaginatively designed; one is decked out with purple fabrics and Victorian antiques, another features exposed beams and a stately brass bed. Three less-expensive rooms upstairs share a bath.
Once the last stop for the stagecoach from Boston [2], Gifford House Inn (9 Carver St., 508/487-0688, www.giffordhouse.com [3], $65–282) has hosted Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. The airy guesthouse features spacious guest rooms, and cocktails served nightly on a wraparound front porch.
English elegance is just the first of many contradictions at
The Oxford Guesthouse (8 Cottage St., 508/487-9103, www.oxfordguesthouse.com [4], $119–329), an oasis of tranquility just steps from the hubbub of Commercial Street. The expat British owners are both hyper-attentive and delightfully deferential, and room decor is both masculine and chic, with rich colors and welcome amenities such as fireplaces and 500-count sheets.
For a truly over-the-top experience, check into Land’s End (22 Commercial St., 508/487-0706, www.landsendinn.com [5], $145–570), a secluded inn complete with a tower overlooking the ocean. Inside, the owner’s exceptional collection of art nouveau antiques fills every conceivable nook of the common areas. Guest rooms feature skylights, interior balconies, and domed ceilings and decor from Victorian to Moroccan.
Links:
[1] http://www.provincetown.com/rosecrown
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston
[3] http://www.giffordhouse.com
[4] http://www.oxfordguesthouse.com
[5] http://www.landsendinn.com