WINNER – 9 YEARS! Best mid-Cape B&B/Inn: 2008-2016
“Nestled on 4 acres of Cape Cod’s unspoiled historic district, guests at the Lamb and Lion Inn enjoy lots of privacy with spacious suites, all with private baths, and separate guest entrances and exits (no curfews, and no tip-toeing around someone’s living room!). The Inn is located about 1 mile from beautiful Barnstable Harbor and just a few short minutes from all the best beaches, shopping and restaurants that Cape Cod has to offer. Here you have the very best of both worlds…the peaceful setting of “Old Cape Cod”, yet you’re less than 10 minutes from the nightlife and shops of colorful Main Street, Hyannis.”
“The diversity of accommodations is one of the many perks that the Lamb and Lion Inn has to offer–Ultra-clean suites with wood-burning fireplaces, cozy rooms with gas fireplace stoves, and some with full kitchens. For a family of a small group of friends there is a 1740 Barn or a converted horse stable. All of the accommodations are just a few steps away from the central courtyard which features a heated pool and giant year-round hot tub spa. Other unique extras include free self-guided driving tours, a full-service spa and yoga studio, free use of beach chairs and umbrellas and deeply discount whale watch tickets. ”
“Inn guests may also bring their well-behaved pets, with restrictions. In 2013 alone the Lamb and Lion was named “One of the top New England destinations” by Yankee Magazine, “One of the Top 12 pet friendly properties” by CNN.com and received its 6th award from Cape Cod Life as “Best mid-Cape Inn/B&B.”
Owners Q & A
What brought you to the Cape?
Sounds like a questions you’d ask Batman. Ali and I owned a 4-Diamond Relais & Chateaux property in New York’s Hudson Valley. After many successful years there, we ran off to Nantucket (Ali’s childhood stomping ground) to manage and reinvent The Ship’s Inn & Restaurant. When our contract was up, we decided working for someone else was not nearly as fun as doing your own thing, so, still being involved in the NY property we decided Cape Cod was the perfect place to keep us accessible to both NY and Nantucket.
How long have you owned/worked at your place of business?
How is it different than when you started? We’re going into our 15th season at the Lamb and Lion, and still loving it. Different? Wow…New pool, the addition of a hot tub, massage rooms and yoga studio, 5 added fireplaces (bringing the total to 13–including an outdoor fireplace), new decks, re-vamped bathrooms & kitchens, a home theater–I think we’ve re-done almost every inch over the years. The 1740 Barn we made more comfortable, but tried not to mess with its history. It’s still got the old bones (and ghost, lovingly named Captain Scary Pants).
What is the most rewarding aspect of doing what you do?
We get to create fond memories for people, and that’s huge. Think of your fondest memories–many of them are vacations with family or a loved one. We get to participate in orchestrating that–which is a blessing, really. We often get people at our door who just need to “breath”. You can see it in their faces. We not only get the opportunity to offer them peace of mind and a good time, but we can really knock it out of the park–especially these days when personal service and going the extra mile is a dying art. It’s a no-brainer.
Who is your dream customer?
The one who pays for their stay and never shows up. It’s a rarity, but it happened once. We loved those folks.
What is the most rewarding aspect of doing business on Cape Cod?
The fast we are a popular tourist destination. That sounds silly, but so many small businesses–so many small towns– were vaporized by the economy. We all felt the blow, but to still have those 2 bridges backed up for miles with tourists come summer– it makes you feel extremely lucky. Everything else–the beaches, the Main Streets, whale watching, shopping, restaurants–that’s all just “icing on the Cape”.
Where is your favorite place to be/visit on Cape Cod?
The mid-Cape 6A corridor is tough to beat. We love P-Town, the National Seashore, Wellfleet, Woods Hole–but I’ll take 6A all the way.
What’s the secret to keeping your customers coming back every year?
Treating them they way we’d like to be treated when we’re away. Be nice, be present (but not too present!), help them find their way and make them feel special. Pleading, sulking & sobbing at check-out helps too.
What is your favorite season on Cape Cod, and why?
can tell you that I love 3 of the season equally. Spring I have a problem with. Spring is the Gary Busey of seasons when it comes to unpredictability. One second I’m dusting off the flip flops, and then WHAM! Ali’s dressing our little dogs in their silly winter coats. It’s also crunch time for an innkeeper. Those projects we blew off while our skin pruned in that Mexican swim-up bar in March? Gotta get them done before Memorial Day.
Complete this sentence: People are often surprised to know that Cape Cod is
home to the coolest inn in America (but you knew that was coming.). But seriously, guests are sometimes surprised to find out we’re an island, and more often surprised that Cape Cod is made up of many towns and villages. They often call us and ask, “How far is Barnstable from Cape Cod?” I’m still working on a snappy answer to that one.
Lamb and Lion Inn
2504 Route 6A
Barnstable MA
508-362-6823
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