Memorial Day Weekend is the start to the official summer season on Cape Cod. It used to be the weekend when we would welcome back all our regular summer residents and the tourists would arrive. While that line has seemed to blur in recent years, this weekend is still a major deal around here. And because of that Cape Cod motels and other lodging rates are higher on that weekend. But you can still find affordable deals on Cape Cod on Memorial Day Weekend.

Here are a few that I’ve found so far. Just know, that these numbers can go up or down without notice depending on the economy and weather.  So if you find rates that you like, I would definitely make the reservation and lock them in. Don’t forget state and local taxes and minimum stay requirements. There may be additional charges for individual motels and hotels. So you should always call to confirm.

The Town Crier Motel in Eastham has rates available for Memorial Day Weekend starting at $129/night. Double occupancy. 2 children under 15 can stay free. Extra adults and children are $15 each. It’s $10 each for adults and children 13 and over. An additional $5 for children 12 and Under. Room amenities include color / cable television, microwave, refrigerator, hair dryer, coffee-maker, direct-dial telephone, FREE wireless internet and individual Heat/AC control.

The Earl of Sandwich, on Route 6A in Sandwich has posted that its Memorial Day rates are $85 for a room with a Queen bed and $89 for a room with 2 Double beds. All rooms have either Queen or Double beds, air conditioning, refrigerators, private bath, cable/color television, telephones, and WiFi. Many rooms have canopied beds. A continental breakfast is included in your room rate.

The Carleton Motel in Falmouth rates for the Memorial Day Weekend period are $99.95 for a room with a Queen Bed and $119.95 for a room with two Double Beds. There may be a 3-night minimum stay requirement for Memorial Day Weekend. Amenities include Continental Breakfast, Outdoor Pool, Barbeque Areas, Kids Playground Area, Free High-speed Wireless Internet; In-room Fridge/Microwave/Coffeemaker.

For more info on Cape Cod lodging please check out these directories: Chatham Hotels and Inns, Falmouth Hotels and Inns, Hyannis Hotels and Inns, Sandwich Hotels and Inns.

Save $25 on at the Isaiah Jones Homestead Bed & Breakfast in Sandwich until May 15, 2009.

The Isaiah Jones Homestead Bed and Breakfast is located at 165 Main Street, in Sandwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. This elegant bed & breakfast is housed in a 1849 Victorian complete with carriage house.  I go by it every day on my morning walk and always enjoy the beautiful landscaping.

There are several Spring savings options available.

SAVE $25 There’s the Save $25 on your stay between March 6 and May 15, 2009. You must refer to Spring9 when you call to make these reservations.

FREE UPGRADE If you book two nights in a Traditional Room at the regular rate, they’ll offer you a free upgrade to a luxury room depending on availability.

SPRING FLING PACKAGE You get 2 nights in a room of your choice, a gourmet breakfast each morning, dinner for two at the fabulous Belfry Bistro (I’ve eaten here, to die for food!), round-trip tickets to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, and gorgeous Spring flowers in your room. Starts at $475. Beverages taxes and gratuities aren’t included. And you can’t combine the Free Upgrade and Spring Fling.

All guest rooms at the Isaiah Jones Homestead have private bathrooms, king or queen beds with luxury linens, either fireplaces or glass front stoves, several rooms have whirlpool baths. There are bathrobes, hair dryers and bath products. There is central air conditioning if needed. There is a total of seven guest rooms. Rate vary from about $150 to $275.  The Isaiah Jones Homestead website has very good pictures of their rooms. But  this is subject to seasonal change and holidays, and in the travel industry rates change without notice. So call Innkeepers Don and Katherine Sanderson at 508-888-9115 to check on rates, specials, and availability.

Click here for information on all Sandwich Bed and Breakfasts.

Aaron Burbank’s Windfall House Bed and Breakfast Room Rates as low as $85/night Until May22.

I walk past this beautiful 1818 colonial home almost everyday. It is located in the heart of the Sandwich Historic District at 108 Main Street, and I think it would be a real treat to stay here for under $100 a day.  Room rates until May 22 vary from $85 to $125. It would indeed be a gracious experience. A candlelight breakfast and afternoon tea are included in the rates.  Enjoy the many historic features of this meticulously restored home.

The guestrooms have either full-sized or queen-sized beds and are furnished with antique and period pieces and decorated with fresh flowers. They have either a private or shared bath. You can check out the rooms and details on the Aaron Burbank’s Windfall House website. Rates are subject to change without notice, so innkeeper Ted Diggle a call at 1-877-594-6325 to confirm.

CLICK HERE to see a directory of Sandwich bed and breakfasts.

Beach Lovers will Love the Sandy Neck Motel at $95 a night this Spring.

The Sandy Neck Motel is located at 669 Route 6A or at the corner of Route 6A and Sandy Neck Road - the entrance to Sandy Neck Beach - one of the best beaches on Cape Cod. It’s a six-mile barrier beach. It is also across the street from Amari’s Italian restaurant. One of my favorite Sandwich restaurants. There are several little gift shops within walking distance. Lavender Moon always has a psychic on duty for readings. And Mrs. Mugs has whimsical gifts to bring home.

Room rates at the Sandy Neck Motel are quite reasonable. In addition to standard motel rooms there are also efficiencies.  In the spring motel room daily rates vary from $65 to $89. For two people to stay in the efficiency, the daily rate is $95 (by the week $630).  For four people to stay at the efficiency, the daily rate is $175.  But room rates can change so call the Sandy Neck Motel at 508-362-3992. Or check out their website.

CLICK HERE to find more information on Sandwich Motels on Cape Cod.

The 1750 Inn at Sandwich will host 3 Gourmet Weeknds this Spring.

As you read Cape Cod for Tourists, you’ll soon see that I’m a foodie. I love trying restauants and going to wine tastings and shopping for unusual food products. So these gourmet weekends or Cape Cod Culinary Capers as they’re called at the 1750 Inn at Sandwich caught my eye.

First you get to stay in one of the luxurious rooms at the 1750 Inn at Sandwich. There are 5 romantic guest rooms, some with fireplaces. Then you have a wine tasting and hors de oeuvres on Friday Night. Saturday afternoon from noon to 3:00 you have a cooking demonstration with Executive Chef Gert Rausch at the Aqua Grille. The restaurant is located at the Sandwich Marina, I’ve eaten there many times. Chef Rausch a good cook, believe me! Then at 7 pm you return for a 3 course gourmet seafood dinner.

The Cape Cod Culinary Caper gourmet weekends are scheduled for March 20 & 21, April 17 & 18, and May 15 & 16. The approximate cost is for a guest room with a fireplace $469, without a fireplace $429. The prices will vary depending on the seafood used in the meal. And the meal beverages, tax, and gratuities are extra.

So give Innkeepers Jan and Charlie Preus a call at 508-888-6958 to get the details on their gourmet weekends. Or check out the 1750 Inn at Sandwich website.

Please CLICK HERE to see a listing of Sandwich Bed and Breakfast Inns.

The Country Acres Motel in Sandwich is a Great Setting for a Family Vacation on Cape Cod.

The Country Acres Motel is lcoated on Route 6A just outside of the Historic Sandwich Town Center. Its grounds have a very spacious feel to them. A large pool with seating area is at the center of the courtyard, which is adjacent to the Great Salt Marsh of Cape Cod Bay. Sometimes if you have small children, it’s easier to let them play in the pool than to schlepp them to the beach. That way there’s a quiet room for nap time and you own clean bathroom is nearby as well. The rooms also have refrigerators and microwaves, so you can save on simple meals and snacks. There’s also a complimentary continental breakfast, except during the winter.

The Crow Farm Stand is right across the street so you can get fresh fruit, veggies, and baked goods. Even take a farm tour! It’s been there forever and is a Sandwich tradition.

The room rates differ by season, but they are still in the affordable range for a family vacation. If you want to come to Cape Cod in the Spring (May 1 to June 18) or Fal (August 30 to October 31), you can get a room with 1 Queen Bed from $74 to $84; a room with 2 Double Beds from $$84 to $94; and a larger room with 2 Double Beds and a pull-out couch from $89 to $99.

During the summer season you’ll still find affordable motel rates. A room with 1 Queen Bed ranges from $89 to $104; a room with 2 Double Beds ranges from $99 to $114; and the largest rooms with 2 Double Beds and a pull-out couch range from $104 to $124.

All the rooms have Cable TV, Direct dial telephone with voice-mail and data port, Individually controlled heat and air conditioning, Refrigerator, Microwave, Private bath, Hairdryers, Iron and Ironing Board, Dead bolt lock and view port, Cross-ventilation.

The Details. All rooms are nonsmoking. Rates subject to 9.7% State and Local Tax. Additional Persons at $10.00 per Adult, $5.00 per Child (10 and under). Cot or Crib at $10.00. Deposits subject to 7 day cancellation. Cottage subject to 14 day cancellation.

All of this is subject to change without notice. So you really should visit the Country Acres Motel website or call them at 508-888-2878. The website has really good pictures of the grounds and rooms.

The Sandwich Glass Museum exhibition of  contemporary glass engravers Edward and James Poore will end on March 31, 2009. Their Crystal Workshop is located on Cape Cod in Sagamore (a village of Bourne).

Edward Poore has over 35 years experience as a glass engraver, sculptor, and cutter. He trained at the Pairpoint Glassworks. He is known for his paperweights. James Poore (Edward’s son) began working in the Crystal Workshop at the age of 20. In 2000, he left the Crystal Workshop to establish his own business in glass antiques. But in 2004 he returned to actively working in glass.

The Sandwich Glass Museum has mounted a beautiful display of their artisanship. Any glass art lover should make an effort to see the work of these contemporary glass artisans Edward Poore and James Poore.

Click Here for more information on the Sandwich Glass Museum and other Museums on Cape Cod.

We’ve decided to have dinner at the British Beer Company in Sandwich tonight and then hang around to listen to the band and maybe do some dancing! We are truly blessed to have the a BBC (as everyone on Cape Cod calls it) within a half-mile of the house. Leo and I don’t even know what band is playing, but we don’t ever remember being disappointed. It’s always a good time.

We may not know what band is playing but we’ve been online to check out the Friday specials. We go to the British Beer Company when we want beef, because they do it better than anyone else on Cape Cod. I’m going to have the Hearty Beef Stew ($11.99). It’s served in an incredible bread bowl with mashed potatoes on the side. The BBC recommends that I have a Bare Knuckles Stout with it, so that’s what I’ll have. Leo is planning on the Black and Blue Rib-Eye Steak ($14.99), which is covered in cajun spices and grilled. It comes with vegetables and mashed potatoes covered in melted cheddar cheese. Leo will also adhere to the BBC’s beverage recommendation and have a glass of Red Diamond Merlot. We usually don’t have room for dessert!

The British Beer Company is serious about wanting to be a neighborhood pub. They have an exchange program where some of their employees go to London and some British pubworkers come here. In all the years we’ve eaten at the BBC, we’ve never had bad service. In fact the servers are so great they often make our night!

There are three British Beer Company venues on Cape Cod. In addition to Sandwich threre’s one in Falmouth and Hyannis. We prefer the Sandwich BBC because it has the dining area separated from the bar and music. If you eat later, you can slightly hear the music and still carry on a conversation.