Carpe Diem Guesthouse & Spa

Carpe Diem Guesthouse & Spa is an upscale boutique hotel with a charming mix of New England and Asia. The main building was an old captain’s house built in 1880, and though much of the place has been renovated, many of the spaces are on the smaller, cozier side. Most of the common areas include a mix of antique and modern pieces, contemporary chairs and rustic wood, decorative artworks and ethnic patterns – all of which creates an overall trendy design.The lush Asian garden, Common Patio, and Namaste Spa are comfortable spaces where guests gather and mingle. The inn offers lots of opportunities to socialize -- from the delicious free daily breakfast, to wine and cheese hour. In the Walt Whitman common room, guests can mingle and enjoy a glass of free sherry or port throughout the day. But this is no party house. The environment here is calm and Zen-like -- perhaps because the theme of the inn (naming rooms for famous writers and poets) attracts artists and those who like to sit alone and read.Former fashion and magazine journalists Rainer and Jurgen opened the inn in 1997, and their colleague Hans joined the team in 2002. However, it was recently taken over by new owners, a couple, who have maintained the work and service done by the previous owners. During the summer months, P-town (as it's affectionately known) transforms into a non-stop party, with weekly events such as the highly anticipated Carnival in August. But once you step inside Carpe Diem, all that boisterousness just fades into the background, replaced with a truly relaxing spot.

Carpe Diem is one block off Commercial Street, Provincetown’s version of “Main Street.” During the busy season, Commercial Street is a chaotic non-stop party with weekly events such as Carnival in August. In less than a two-minute walk, guests will find bars, clubs, restaurants, art galleries, exhibits, and shops lining Commercial Street, making this a property close to the action, but well removed from the noise. The closest beach, Provincetown Harbor Beach, is a two-minute walk away, while it’s a seven-minute drive to Herring Cove, one of the most popular (albeit rocky) beaches in town. And for sunsets, you can’t beat Race Point Beach, a nine-minute drive away. Boston Logan International Airport takes three hours by car to reach. On the other hand, it’s only a 20-minute flight from Boston which flies into Provincetown Municipal Airport, an eight-minute drive away. 

Named after a famous writer or poet, each of the 19 rooms has its own unique style and decor that reflects the personalities of their namesake scribe. Some have heavy, carved-wood benches and headboards, red-lacquered wardrobes, and brass urn-shaped lamps, while others exhibit a far more New England look of navy-and-white textiles, pewter lamps, and wrought-iron beds. Rooms are divided into Standard, Deluxe, Luxury, and Rooms with King-Sized Beds. All rooms include flat-screen TVs with DVD players, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safes, and mini-fridges. Most lack coffee- and tea-making facilities, though some of the upper-level rooms have espresso machines. Deluxe Rooms and up include fireplaces, while Luxury Rooms have jetted tubs. Both Luxury rooms and Rooms with King-sized beds include private furnished garden patios. The Thoreau cottage also has a private garden, plus a wet bar, microwave, and living room area with a leather couch. Since it’s an historic building, many of the rooms are on the smaller side, as are the white-tiled bathrooms. They have small showers, hairdryers, and little counter space around sinks. 

Amenities at Carpe Diem Guesthouse & Spa center around leisure and relaxation for its adult-only clientele. The Namaste Spa is the highlight of the hotel and includes a Turkish bath, Finnish saunas, hydro jet hot tub in the garden, and rooms for massages and beauty treatments. The hotel also provides a lot of free perks like a homemade breakfast buffet, a daily happy hour with wine and cheese, and beach bags with towels, bottled water, and snacks. The common areas have free drinks like port and sherry all day, plus 24-hour espresso, coffee, and tea stations. They also provide games like chess and checkers, as well as books to read. Wi-Fi is available throughout at no cost, and free off-street parking can be provided to guests, though it’s limited to one car (SUV size or smaller) per room.