Cape Cod
Cape Cod Beach and Ocean on a Sunny Day image by Christopher Seufert from
Fotolia.com
Cape Cod is a popular romantic getaway in Massachusetts. Here you can bike along the shore, sip pina coladas on the beach, watch seals off the coast of Monomoy Island, and take a day trip to walk the cobblestone streets of Nantucket. While many hotels and bed and breakfasts cost more than $100 a night, budget travelers need not consign themselves to staying in a roadside motel. Romantic accommodation in Hyannis, Chatham, Dennisport and Provincetown tends to be more expensive, so choose a town like Sandwich, West Harwich, Wellfleet or Orleans to find lower rates. Plan your romantic getaway during winter, spring or fall to avoid the summer crowds and higher expenses, and save even more by going mid-week instead of on a weekend.
Check out smaller inns and bed and breakfasts like the Commodore Inn Resort. Commodore Inn offers affordable, bed and breakfast-style accommodation right on Nantucket Sound. Some rooms have a Jacuzzi tub, fireplace and wet bar. The inn has a picturesque garden restaurant and a romantic wrap-around porch. As of 2010, rates started at $82 per night.
Commodore Inn Resort
30 Earle Road
West Harwich, MA 02671
508-432-1180
commodoreinn.com
Another way to have a romantic getaway on the cheap is to stay at a vacation rental rather than a hotel or bed and breakfast. Budget listings for Cape Cod on HomeAway.com invite you to choose from beachfront cottages, farmhouses and modern studio apartments. With access to a fully equipped kitchen, save money by cooking romantic dinners at your home away from home.
Boston
By day, you can kayak on the Charles River, bike to the city's museums and art galleries, and stroll through city parks. By night, couples can taste the world by trying ethnic cuisine at local restaurants. City getaways can be expensive, but there are plenty of free and inexpensive things to do in Boston. Take advantage of free wine tastings, brewery tours, museum admissions and art galleries. There are no cheap accommodations near the waterfront, but you can find romantic guest houses in the city for less than you'd pay at a typical hotel.
One such guest house is 463 Beacon House, a historic brownstone mansion converted into individual guest rooms. Built at the turn of the century, each room has its own period decor. The house is set in a Victorian neighborhood in Boston's Back Bay. As of 2010, room rates start at $79 per night.
463 Beacon House
463 Beacon Street
Boston MA 02115 USA
617-536-1302
463beacon.com
The Berkshires
The Berkshires in western Massachusetts boasts miles of hiking trails, ski resorts and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Well-to-do families based in the Boston area have long used the Berkshires as a summer retreat destination, although you can enjoy a romantic getaway in the Berkshires during all four seasons. Walk through quintessential New England villages and explore the region's rich history. Hike the Mohawk Trail or water ski on the Connecticut River.
There are more bed and breakfasts in the Berkshires than there are hotels, and while some of these properties charge upward up $500 per night, there are dozens of quaint, affordable properties for a cheap romantic getaway. One option is Historic Merrill Inn in South Lee. The inn is in a 200-year old brick stagecoach building. Each of the 11 rooms has individual decorations and a private bath. Four of the rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, perfect for a romantic winter retreat.
Historic Merrill Inn
1565 Pleasant Street
South Lee, MA 01260
413-243-1794
merrell-inn.com
