Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, a Luxurious Cape Cod Vacation

Idyllically located along the alluring Cape Cod peninsula, Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club pairs luxury with quintessential New England charm. From the historic Nickerson Mansion to a wide variety of villas and townhouses in the Villages, this 337-room resort provides an array of accommodations that appeal to families, couples, singles and groups of friends. Abundant outdoor recreation, eateries showcasing the finest New England cuisine and the charming village of Brewster add to the appeal. It’s time to escape to the Cape!

The writer was hosted.

What Works for Families at Ocean Edge Resort

• Extensive variety of lodging options including villas and condos with one- two- and three-bedroom, full kitchens and a washer/dryer
• A designated Director of FUN in charge of special activities for all ages including lawn games like archery and corn hole on the front lawn of the mansion
• Ample outdoor recreation including access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, bike rentals, pickleball, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and more
• A gift shop filled with fun beach toys and games to entertain the kids when they can’t be outside
• Pools, pools and more pools! The Ocean Edge Resort has four pools to choose from including the Arbor Pool Complex in the Villages which is the largest outdoor pool. Here you’ll find a toddler pool, hot tub and the Shark Bah.

What Doesn’t Work for Families at Ocean Edge Resort

• Although spacious, rooms in the mansion (in my opinion) exude a romantic vibe. Personally, I would save that booking for a getaway with my husband and choose one of the villas or townhouses for family trips with the grandkids.
• The minimum age for the Beach House Spa is 16 if the child is accompanied by a responsible adult. So, if you’re traveling with younger children, you’ll have to convince dad or granddad to watch the kids while you enjoy a bit of pampering!

Rooms at the Ocean Edge

With 337 rooms spread across the resort’s 429 acres between The Mansion and The Villages, accommodation choices abound. Originally built in 1912, the AAA Four-Diamond Mansion offers 121 premium units of varying sizes and styles. The Nickerson Mansion contains 90 guest rooms ranging from 480 sq. ft. Signature King rooms to 1,200 sq. ft. Grand Corner Suites. The suites feature bamboo floors, kitchenettes, gas fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs.

Also part of the Mansion, 31 villas and townhouses make up the Presidential Bay Collection villas. These multi-level 1,200 to 1,400 sq. ft. villas include two- and three-bedroom options suitable for six to eight guests. Each villa or townhouse includes a spacious living area, dining area, kitchenette, washer/dryer and walkout deck.

The Villages at Ocean Edge 

In the heart of the property, the Villages provide 216 additional units. Each offers separate bedroom and living areas, kitchens, washer/dryers, patio or terrace, flat-screen TVs, and easy access to swimming pools, Blueberry Pond, golf and the Cape Cod Rail Trail. For this visit I stayed in The Mansion, but when I have the opportunity for a return visit with the grandkids, I think we’ll choose one of the villas to give the kids room to spread out.

If you’re bringing along the furry family members, a selection of the 88 one-bedroom, 750 sq. ft. Arbor Villas welcome pets. Maximum occupancy (not counting Fido) is four. A more budget-friendly option than the Mansion’s villas, guests of the Arbor Villas and the nearby 116 Britterige Villas don’t have access to the resort’s private beach. However, a seasonal shuttle provides transportation to nearby Crosby Beach. Located adjacent to Blueberry Pond, the Britterige Villas sport a similar design to the Arbor Villas. Rounding out the lodging options, the 12 Endicott & Edinborough Villas include two- and three-bedroom choices with up to 1,400 sq. ft. accommodating up to six and eight guests. Located along the golf course, these guests do have access to the private beach.

What Does the Resort Offer for Families?

First, there are four pools. In the West Wing of The Mansion, the heated Bay Pines Indoor Pool remains open year-round. The seasonal Bay Pines Outdoor Pool includes a hot tub. Then, the Fletcher Pool Complex offers indoor and outdoor pools, a toddler pool, hot tubs, a sauna, and locker rooms. Finally, there’s the Arbor Pool Complex located across from the Golf Clubhouse. As the resort’s largest pool, movie nights happen here. The complex also includes a hot tub and the Shark Bah.

Have more fun in the water at Blueberry Pond with kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Nearby, pickleball courts welcome newbies and experienced players to play the country’s fastest-growing sport. With nine courts and two tennis complexes, you have plenty of space to get your game on. Also, the Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through the Villages. Families can pick up bike rentals at the recreation center in sizes for kids to adults.

If you want to get a workout in, multiple fitness centers await. Complimentary group fitness classes include Tai Chi, yoga, spinning, weights and balance, core strength, Pilates, yogalates, step and strength, body bar plus, aqua fitness and more.

For the golfers in the family, the 18-hole Troon Privé course is the Cape’s only Nicklaus Design golf course. If you need a little work on your game, book a private golf lesson with a PGA professional.

Also, the resort’s Director of FUN organizes “Kids’ Day In” to entertain the younger set. She’ll also set up a fire on the beach for making s’mores and games on the Front Lawn.

One of my favorite experiences at the Ocean Edge Resort was our private oyster bed tour. At low tide, we waded into the bay to learn about nature oyster beds as well as the farming of oysters.  Although my grandkids weren’t with me for this trip, I’ve added this to the must-do list for a future visit.

Ocean Edge Beach House Spa

Housed in a charming New England-style house, the Beach House Spa presents a full menu of treatments. I chose a full-body massage adding on hot stones and left completely refreshed. Facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, and hair and makeup services are also available. If your visit to Ocean Edge Resort is all about romance, book the couples’ suite. Also available seasonally are wellness experiences including meditation and acupuncture.

Situated on Main Street a half-mile down the road from The Mansion at the entrance to the Villages, the spa exudes a welcoming beachy vibe. Even the sidewalk stones keep the theme going with shapes like starfish, sand dollars and seashells. Colorful Adirondack chairs on the porch invite you to sit a spell. You can even book the porch for a private party. I chose to walk from The Mansion since it was a beautiful morning, but the resort shuttle also makes a stop there for spa guests.

Dining at Ocean Edge

New England cuisine reigns supreme at Ocean Edge Resort. With an extensive array of dining options, you’ll be nibbling your way through lobster, oysters and all types of other goodies during your stay. First there’s the Ocean Terrace at The Mansion. This open-air restaurant overlooks the Cape Cod Bay and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t miss the lobster frittata – an absolutely decadent way to start the day! In the winter, the Ocean Terrace transforms into a winter wonderland – the Frost Bar. This unique pop-up culinary experience features private igloos in an Arctic-inspired setting.

Also at The Mansion, Bayzo’s Pub serves family-friendly dishes in old-fashioned English tavern style. Open year-round, Bayzo’s serves lunch and dinner.

If you’re kid-free, wander down the boardwalk to the Beach Bar with undisturbed views of Cape Cod Bay to sip a cocktail and munch on some snacks. For lunch with the family, the Shark Bah can’t be beat, serving kid-friendly sandwiches and soft serve ice cream.

On the Villages side of the resort, Linx Tavern serves up local favorites including lobster rolls, New England clam chowder and fish and chips alongside burgers, Reubens and more delicious treats.

Things to Do Near the Resort

There’s so much to keep you and the kids busy at Ocean Edge you may never want to leave. But should you choose to explore the surrounding area, here are a few things to check out. Venture to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History where you can take beekeeping courses. Or amble just two miles down Main Street to Nickerson State Park for fishing, hiking and more.

In the village of Brewster you’ll also discover art galleries and boutiques to satisfy your shopping urges. We rode our bikes from the Villages to JT’s Seafood for lunch. This counter-service New England seafood shack has an outdoor patio and delicious fish tacos among other things.

Venturing a bit further for dinner one evening, we enjoyed a decadent Italian feast at family friendly La Bella Vita in Orleans, Massachusetts. Who can resist fresh Italian fare? I know I can’t!

More About Ocean Edge

Pre-pandemic, the Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club only opened for the summer season. Now open year-round, it’s the type of property you’ll want to visit in each season for completely different experiences. Look for special offers and events on the resort’s website.