Are there cheap hotels on Cape Cod?

January 15, 2009 6:55 AM

Are there affordable hotels on Cape Cod?

We're thinking of getting married in Falmouth, MA, on Cape Cod, but having trouble finding a decent inexpensive hotel for some of our guests to stay at. Does such a thing exist within 20 miles of Falmouth?

The wedding is in July, and we haven't found anything under $175/night.

posted by david1230 to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Below $175 is a very hard target to hit in the high season on the Cape proper. There are lots of off-Cape places which aren't very far from Falmouth (not much more of a drive than from Hyannis, say) which are perfectly nice -- check out the hotels and motels near the 195 north of New Bedford.
posted by MattD at 7:07 AM on January 15

I winced when I saw that you're looking in July -- that's bang in the middle of Cape Cod's tourist season, which is going to make things VERY hard for you if you're looking on the Cape proper.

However, if you go a bit off-Cape, you may have better luck - my family is from the Wareham/Marion area, and I remember there being some fairly inexpensive places there. Their availability may be pretty slender, though, come July, so you may want to consider booking early. But Wareham itself is only about a half-hour's drive from Falmouth.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:54 AM on January 15

Are you just checking listed prices, or are you calling to see if they have a group discount rate?

Also, if you book elsewhere, keep in mind that the economy's in the crapper, and vacations may be one thing a lot of folks give up in these times. If your reservations are refundable, it'll probably be worth re-checking further down the road to see if you can get a better deal.
posted by mkultra at 8:05 AM on January 15

keep in mind that the economy's in the crapper, and vacations may be one thing a lot of folks give up in these times. If your reservations are refundable, it'll probably be worth re-checking further down the road to see if you can get a better deal.

Ooh, that's a good point, mkultra. Getting a few options may be good -- some near, some far -- and you can check in at different times.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:23 AM on January 15

the economy's in the crapper, and vacations may be one thing a lot of folks give up in these times.

Caveat when using this theory: in New England, there is often an upturn in tourism when the economy's in the crapper. That's because the market sector that might normally take trips abroad or out west or take cruises opts instead for a driving trip in the mainland US - and all destinations in the Northeast are just a few hours from major population centers for upper middle class people. So I wouldn't really expect any bargains on the Cape in July.

If you had any possibility of changing your date to May or September (the most beautiful month of the year in New England) you could probably reduce all your costs by 20-40%.

There are motels and tourist cabins on the cape that come in under $175 even in high season. It might mean your guests are settling for a run-down place off the highway with old carpets etc., but it is possible to find cheaper lodgings, if not exactly 'cheap.'
posted by Miko at 8:39 AM on January 15

But Wareham itself is only about a half-hour's drive from Falmouth.

Depending (heavily) on bridge traffic.
posted by rusty at 12:23 PM on January 15

The Centerville/Hyannis area has a few basic but decent places with (for some reason) still fairly reasonable rates. Try something like the Centerville Corners inn, the Hyannis Inn, or the Heritage House, for example.
posted by notquitemaryann at 12:26 PM on January 15