But just a short plane ride away, you can escape into a more relaxed, luxurious and yes, charming beach get-away at Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club. Located in Brewster, MA, this resort takes you back to a more slow-paced time. I was fortunate to spend a weekend there with a few other Macaroni Kid publishers recently and as soon as I parked my car, my breathing changed. From the beautiful mansion and villages to the amazing views of the beach, everything about this place said "CALM" to me.
I stayed in a Presidential Bay Collection villa, a 2 bedroom/2 bath suite with 3 patios (1 off of each bedroom and 1 off of the living/dining room), a full kitchen, washer and dryer and plenty of closet and drawer space. (I hate living out of a suitcase, so having room to unpack is a big deal to me!) As soon as I walked in, I was enchanted by the blue and white decor. For this Texas gal, the villa looked exactly what I thought a Cape Cod resort should! The bedding and towels were fluffy and cozy and I slept VERY well the whole weekend. As if the lovely rooms weren't enough, bottles of wine and a plate of S'mores cookies (recipe below!) were on the counter to welcome us. Lovely room, lovely company, yummy cookies? I'm never leaving.
But I did leave my room and I'm so glad I did. Ocean Edge doesn't just offer wonderful rooms, they also feed their guests very well! We dined on the Ocean Terrace at the Mansion both nights we were there and both nights I thought "this is the best thing I've ever eaten!" Halibut with asparagus and truffled rice, crabcakes, potato ramp soup, king oyster mushrooms--there's not a bad choice on the menu! We enjoyed our meals with selections from their wine list and cocktail menu. I especially enjoyed the Cape Cod Cranberry mojito--light and refreshing, it just tastes like summer on the beach!
The Ocean Terrace has an amazing menu, but just as amazing is the view. As we watched the sunset over the beach, I kept thinking what a romantic spot this was. As much I enjoyed my girlfriend time, next time I'm there, I want to be holding my husband's hand as the sun goes down over the water!
Lunch was a more casual affair, but just as delicious, at the Linx Tavern on The Villages side of the resort. Located right off the golf course, this is the perfect spot for a pre- or post-game bite or drink. Have the lobster salad--delish!
At lunch we were given a copy of Ocean Edge's Summer Activities Guide. I was thrilled to see how many fun things there are to do for kids and families! Croquet on the lawn of the Mansion, bike rentals, kids camps, karaoke night, movie nights, s'mores on the beach, parents night out and MORE! Want to come and just hang out on the beach? No problem. Need a little more activity or want a day without the kids (don't feel guilty!)? Ocean Edge has you covered on that front too!
While we could have easily spent our weekend just enjoying the resort and all it offers, we wanted to explore Brewster, MA as well. Our first stop was the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. If the romantic dinner spot the night before had me thinking of my husband, this museum had me thinking of my Macaroni Kid. With exhibits on birds of the area, sharks, bees and more, I knew he'd have a great time here while also learning more about the world we live in. I know he'd especially enjoy watching the Osprey via the OspreyCam and playing around in the shark cage!
No trip is complete without a little souvenir shopping so we stopped by the Brewster General Store. Talk about charming. Shopping here is like stepping back in time--penny candy, an old nickelodeon with music from days past and roasted peanuts all inside a building constructed in 1852!
We also got a sneak peek into She Sells Boutique before it opened to the public for the summer. If I had had a bigger suitcase, I could have done some serious damage here! Cute, beachy tops and dresses, Ocean Edge mugs and t-shirts, fun games for the kiddos and awesome accessories--if I lived closer this would be my go-to shop for gifts! (And who am I kidding? MYSELF!)
As the weekend wound down, I kept thinking about who I wanted to share Ocean Edge with next.
My family? Definitely--we'd stay in a 1 bedroom Arbor villa and enjoy all of the family friendly activities, 5 pools, tennis courts and Natural History Museum.
Extended family? Sure-the larger Endicott and Edinborough villas would be perfect for more people and the Nicklaus Design golf course, fitness centers and local shopping would be a hit with the grandparents.
Girlfriends? Absolutely--this time a room in the Mansion with their huge, gorgeous bathrooms would fit the bill as would shopping, hanging by the pool, taking a yoga class and enjoying a glass of wine on the Ocean Terrace!
Looking for a fun getaway this summer. Learn more about Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club on their site. Book a trip for May, June or July and save 20%!
You can see more pictures over on Mac Kid Chicago's FB page.
And now, as promised, the best cookie I've ever eaten....
S’MORES COOKIES
AS CREATED BY OCEAN EDGE RESORT & GOLF CLUB'S
EXECUTIVE CHEF PHILIP FLATH
Yield: approximately 3 dozen
INGREDIENTS
2/3 Cup Cocoa Powder
3/4 tsp. Baking Soda
¼ tsp. Salt
1 Cup Butter, Softened
¾ Cup Granulated Sugar
¾ Cup Brown Sugar, Packed
2 Each Eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
½ Cup Graham Crackers, Slightly Crushed
1 Cup Mini Marshmallows, or large marshmallows cut into small pieces.
METHOD
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine Flour, Cocoa Powder, Baking Soda and Salt. Mix and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, preferably with a paddle attachment, add Butter, Granulated Sugar, and Brown Sugar. Beat on medium speed until well incorporated and mixture becomes slightly fluffy.
- With mixer running, add eggs, one at a time until each is mixed well.
- Reduce mixer speed to low, slowly add flour mixture, allowing to be mixed in well.
- Add Chocolate Chips, Graham Crackers and Marshmallows, fold in on low speed. Do not overmix, to avoid crushing chips and crackers.
- Place on an ungreased baking sheet, bake for 8-10 minutes, or until done. Allow to cool for 6-8 minutes, remove to wire rack to finish cooling.
Ocean Edge provided me with two nights accommodations and meals to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
