Today was a first for me in terms of motherhood. It was my first time going away completely alone…no husband and no kids! I could not imagine a better place to enjoy some solitude than Bass Rocks Ocean Inn. Not only did I feel safe, but there was so much to do in the area that I was never bored or lonely. It was also a very romantic inn and I’m so glad my husband joined me there for my second night. It is a gorgeous inn and I felt I had to share it with someone.
LOCATION
Bass Rocks Ocean Inn is located in the stunning coastal town of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The inn sits beside the sea and every room has an ocean view. There are patio and balcony rooms in the Oceanfront House, as well as coastline views at the Seaside House. There are also suites available in the restored historic Stacey House. All rooms include high speed Wi-Fi, flat screened TV’s, and amazing bath amenities. The inn is located minutes from downtown where you will find restaurants, shops, and marinas.
MY SUITE
I was lucky to stay in room 502 of the Stacey House and I could not have imagined a more beautiful place to call home for the next two nights. George O. Stacey built the Stacey House in 1899 as a wedding gift for his wife and it definitely screams romance.The bedroom has an elegant wallpaper and the most comfortable pillow top king-size bed.The view of the ocean was breathtaking to wake up to.
LIVING ROOM
When I first walked into the suite I actually gasped when I saw the view. Two walls were completely covered in windows and the crashing ocean waves were the backdrop of the room. The wall of windows allows you to see the view of the lighthouses on Thatcher Island.
The ceilings are elegant and the crowned molding wraps around the entire suite.
KITCHEN
It was such a pleasant surprise to see the room had a kitchen area. It included a refrigerator, microwave, and sink. There were wine glasses, utensils, plates, bowls, cups, and even a wine opener. I love when a hotel has good coffee in your room and at Bass Rocks they provide Starbucks coffee as well as Tazo tea. They even supply fresh half and half in your refrigerator as well as complimentary bottled water.
POOL
The inn has a large outdoor heated pool that is kept at a pleasantly warm 82 degrees. It is actually the largest outdoor pool in Cape Ann. They provide pool towels and plenty of seating. Both the pool and the hot tub are meticulously clean. As you swim you can smell the ocean air and hear the crashing waves.
FIRE PIT
Next to the pool is a comfortable fire pit that is lit every night until about 10:30. Again, the waves serve as a soothing background noise.
OUTDOOR PATH
Steps from the hotel is the most breathtaking oceanfront walking path. There are several benches reserved for Bass Rocks hotel guests. The first day I went on a long walk and could not stop staring at this view. The rocky coast creates tide pools that my kids would have loved.
The second day I grabbed a coffee from the lobby and read my book while the waves crashed in front of me. It was heaven!
BREAKFAST
The sunporch of the Stacey House is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast. It is served from 7:30-10:30 each morning and consists of fruit, yogurt, cheese, bagels, cereal, and muffins. Again, Starbucks coffee is a pleasant way to start your day.
BILLIARD ROOM
This gorgeous room is filled with New England charm. Everyone will love playing a game of pool. Feel like winding down with a board game? The inn has many to choose from that you can take back to your room or play on the porch. If you’re looking for a book, the inn has many you can borrow or swap.
AFTERNOON TREATS
I always say that it is the personal touches that makes a stay memorable. Each afternoon the inn puts out delicious cookies, coffee, tea, lemonade, and iced water. One afternoon I had just gotten back from a chilly walk and their hot cider was exactly what I needed to warm me up.
BIKES
The inn has several easy cruiser bikes that guests can borrow. They even have helmets you can use. The road that the inn is located on is the perfect place to go for a seaside ride.
ROOFTOP OBSERVATION DECK
An amazing treat is the 360-degree view from the rooftop observation deck. It is such a peaceful place to watch the ocean waves. My husband and I went up at dusk as the sky was turning a pink hue. The lighthouses looked beautiful against the background.
FERRY
Bass Rocks Ocean Inn has a special activity reserved for their guests. If you would like to get out on the water and enjoy some time viewing the gorgeous harbors, they offer complimentary rides on the Cape Ann Water Shuttle. It was a perfect fall day when I visited and I had such a nice time on the boat listening to stories about the working harbor. We even saw some playful seals. The crew was informative and fun and the hour-long ride was the highlight of my day. I would strongly recommend taking advantage of this ride, especially the hop-on-hop-off aspect of it. All you need to do is show your room key and you can hop aboard.
STAFF
I cannot say enough kind words about the hotel staff. Every time I walked by the front desk they would greet me with a smile and ask about my day. They helped with directions and recommended the ferry ride. I heard several guests getting recommendations on local restaurants and shops. You can tell they have such pride in their inn and they truly care about their guests.
I had such a wonderful stay at Bass Rocks Ocean Inn. Both my night away alone as well as my night away with my husband were perfect. I will definitely return with my daughters one day since there is so much to do in the area with kids.
ADDRESS: 107 Atlantic Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
PHONE NUMBER: 978-283-7600 or 888-802-7666
WEBSITE: www.bassrocksoceaninn.com
A very warm thank you to Bass Rocks Ocean Inn for having my husband and I as guests of your inn. As always, all experiences and opinions are 100% my own.
