Inspiration Hotels Best Budget Hotels in Cape Cod Visiting this New England gem can be cheap By Lindsey Danis Lindsey Danis Instagram Twitter Vassar College Emerson College Lindsey Danis is a queer travel writer based in the Hudson Valley. Lindsey's work has appeared in AFAR, Condé Nast Traveler, Longreads, and other publications. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 07/28/22 Fact checked by Erin Medlicott Fact checked by Erin Medlicott LinkedIn Twitter New York University Rutgers University Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. She earned a TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Cape Cod is a classic New England summer trip, complete with whale watching, sandy beaches, and mini golf. However, it’s also a pricey place to visit. With high demand and low supply, hotels and restaurants can often get away with charging inflated fees for accommodations and meals. Luckily, though, there are some affordable hotel options in Cape Cod. These price-sensitive beach properties deliver more value than the typical Cape Cod hotel, with amenities like pools and free breakfast. They can also help you stretch your limited budget to cover beach fees and parking costs. Here, we’ve listed our top picks for budget hotels in Cape Cod. Best Budget Cape Cod Hotels of 2023 Best Overall: Bayside Resort Hotel Best for Families: Cape Codder Resort & Spa Best Budget: HI Hyannis Hostel Best for Couples: Brewster By the Sea Inn Best New Hotel: Bluebird Dennisport Best Upper Cape: Inn on the Square Best Mid-Cape: Cape Sands Inn Best Outer Cape: Dyer’s Beach House Best Pre-Ferry: Best Western Cape Cod Hotel Best Budget Hotels in Cape Cod View All Best Budget Hotels in Cape Cod Our Top Picks Bayside Resort Hotel Cape Codder Resort & Spa HI Hyannis Hostel Brewster By the Sea Inn Bluebird Dennisport Inn on the Square Cape Sands Inn Dyer’s Beach House Best Western Cape Cod Hotel See More (6) Final Verdict Compare Best Budget Cape Cod Hotels Methodology Best Overall : Bayside Resort Hotel Courtesy of TripAdvisor.com See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This family-friendly pick boasts a convenient location, plenty of amenities, and great package deals. Notable Amenities Indoor and outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, family fun center with billiards room and arcade games Pros Free breakfast Kids stay for free Cons It’s not directly on the ocean Set on a quiet salt march overlooking Lewis Bay, Bayside Resort Hotel is a family-friendly pick with great package deals and spacious rooms. The decor is simple, with beach-themed wall art and linens. Bayview rooms, which are the largest size, have cathedral ceilings and private sundecks. The Whirlpool suites are designed for couples, and they include a jacuzzi tub and king bed. And, for group travel, there are accommodations that include connecting rooms. While the property isn't directly on the ocean, there is a small private salt marsh beach area looking out at Lewis Bay. The beach fire pit is lit nightly and is a popular gathering place for s'mores. Guests can grab a bite to eat at the onsite restaurant, Moby Dick Pub, which serves up kid pleasers like burgers, chicken wings, and pizza, or sip a drink at the poolside bar. Bayside Resort Hotel boasts that there are 20 golf courses within 20 minutes, but golf is far from the only attraction. Package deals include whale watching excursions or day trips to Martha's Vineyard. You'll also find deals for seasonal events like the Yarmouth Seaside Festival, which has a craft fair and sandcastle contest. Best for Families : Cape Codder Resort & Spa Cape Codder Resort and Spa See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This Hyannis spa hotel has an indoor water park and tons of family-oriented specials to help save money. Notable Amenities Indoor water park, outdoor pool and hot tub, arcade games Pros Package deals with romance, spa, holidays, and family themes Water park and multiple pools to entertain the kids Cons If there are birthday parties or special events, the water park becomes crowded Families rave about the water park at Cape Codder Resort & Spa, which features a wave pool and lazy river. The two onsite restaurants serve up surf-and-turf specialties, plus kid-friendly fares like pizza and chicken fingers. In need of some pampering? The Beach Plum Spa has couples massages, parent and child massage and mani-pedi specials, and other treatments. Rooms at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa are a little on the basic side, and some recent guests suggest it’s time for an update. But some of the larger rooms have courtyard access or views over the outdoor pool. If you splurge on a suite, you can enjoy a fireplace and jetted tub. There’s also the option to rent one to three-bedroom residences that sleep up to eight and come with a full kitchen. Best Budget : HI Hyannis Hostel Buy on Tripadvisor.com See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It The more centrally located of the Cape’s two hostels, this property is walkable to downtown Hyannis and the island ferries. Notable Amenities Shared kitchen, backyard fire pit, free parking Pros Central location Friendly hostel staff make travelers feel welcome Cons The hostel is only open seasonally (May 26-September 18, 2022) No air conditioning It might seem unexpected to find a hostel tucked between the ferry docks and the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. (Hyannis being the location of the Kennedy compound, for those uninitiated to the local dynasty.) However, a local Hyannis tour guide willed her home to Hostelling International, allowing guests to stay there when visiting the area. You can nab one of 28 beds in the property’s seven rooms for a no-frills Cape trip. There are three private rooms that sleep two to six people and two dorm rooms with bunk beds. Rooms are basic but clean and comfortable, with cheery paint colors and beachy decor on the walls. Downstairs, guests can make up their own meals in the large shared kitchen and spend a cozy evening socializing in the backyard. While the hostel is walkable to downtown Hyannis, you can catch the trolley that circulates through the town in the summer months and avoid having to pay for street parking. Best for Couples : Brewster By the Sea Inn Brewster By the Sea Inn See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This adults-only bed and breakfast is the perfect backdrop to a romantic Cape Cod weekend getaway. Notable Amenities Spa facilities, outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas, relaxation garden Pros Innkeeper is on hand to offer personalized suggestions for your trip Afternoon tea and sweets available Cons Some guests don’t think there’s enough variety for breakfast Brewster By the Sea Inn has all the ingredients for a romantic stay. Inside, you’ll find private seating areas in every room, plus gas-powered fireplaces and mini-fridges for storing wine and cheese. Rooms have a country style with colorful accents on the wall art and linens. Suites come with their own kitchenettes, but guests can also enjoy the inn’s three-course breakfast spread with baked goods and fresh fruit each morning. The inn is charming and well kept up, but what sets it apart from other Cape Cod romantic hotels is the personalized level of service. Guests rave about the innkeeper’s warm welcome, attention to detail, and pandemic precautions. Best New Hotel : Bluebird Dennisport Bluebird Dennisport See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It For those who complain that the hotels lining Route 6 are old or musty, it doesn’t get any newer than this mid-Cape boutique concept from Bluebird by Lark. Notable Amenities Indoor and outdoor pools, outdoor space with lounges, hammocks, and fire pits Pros Up to two dogs allowed (with a $35 fee per pet) Free parking 10-minute walk to the beach Cons There’s currently ongoing construction and landscaping work Bluebird Dennisport takes inspiration from its beach forest environment, blending a midcentury motel aesthetic with classic Cape style. Choose motel rooms or freestanding cottages, which are left natural so the shingles will gray with age. Cottages are open concepts with family-friendly features like bunk beds and fireplaces by the flat-screen television. Motel rooms come with outdoor seating areas, and some have day beds to accommodate an extra guest. Here, you're within walking distance of the beaches of Nantucket Sound—but, with so many onsite lounging areas, the beach has competition for your downtime. At night, you can make s’mores by the fire pit or explore summer theater at nearby Cape Playhouse. Best Upper Cape : Inn on the Square Inn on the Square Cape Cod See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Close to Shining Sea Bike Path and the island ferries, Inn on the Square boasts a prime location with excellent amenities for lounging. Notable Amenities Indoor swimming pool, sun deck, business center, complimentary electric vehicle charger Pros On-site restaurant, Persy’s Place, offers 45 varieties of sandwiches Convenient, walkable location Cons Recent reviews say the cleaning could be better Cots and cribs cost $15 extra per night Inn on the Square sits in a perfectly walkable location in downtown Falmouth. This makes it the ideal spot for guests who don’t want to navigate Cape traffic or pay for parking in town. Business facilities and the onsite breakfast and lunch restaurant, Persy’s Place, make the property a convenient pick for those who are working on vacation. It’s also a quick walk over to the complimentary Steamship Authority ferry shuttle or a bike rental place. Rooms are basic but comfortable, complete with air conditioning, refrigerators, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs. While the hotel’s rate is already competitive, their website has a number of offers for direct bookings that may help you save even more cash. Best Mid-Cape : Cape Sands Inn Cape Sands Inn See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Located near museums, an inflatable park, and the largest saltwater beach in Yarmouth, the Cape Sands Inn offers no-frills accommodations in the heart of the mid-Cape area. Notable Amenities Outdoor pool, sauna, hot tub Pros Staff are attentive and caring Free continental breakfast Cons Motel could use a bit of sprucing up Similar to many motels lining the Cape’s two main highways, the Cape Sands Inn is a no-frills stay. The rooms have bare walls and plain white linens, although they’re clean and comfortable, and refrigerators and coffee makers add a nice touch if you’re packing lunch for the beach. And if you need a bite to eat in the morning, the complimentary continental breakfast is simple but appreciated. However, the amenities are where Cape Sands Inn truly shines. Outside, you can take a dip in a large pool surrounded by sun loungers, and inside, you’ll find a heated pool, sauna, and hot tub. Despite its location off a busy main road, the property is quiet at night. Nearby attractions include museums, an inflatable park, Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, and Seagull Beach, which is Yarmouth’s largest saltwater beach. Best Outer Cape : Dyer’s Beach House Dyer's Beach House See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Boasting luxe amenities like feather beds, plush robes, and imported linens, plus waterfront decks and beautiful beach gardens, this Provincetown motel is a budget steal. Notable Amenities Loaner beach chairs and towels, in-room binoculars, private decks overlooking Provincetown harbor Pros Located right on Commercial Street in Provincetown Very responsive property manager Cons Rooms could use a refresh Cancel within 5 days of your stay and you lose the deposit Believe it or not, you can find a bargain in Provincetown. Nestled down a long driveway on the harbor side of Commercial Street you’ll find Dyer’s Beach House, a small boutique motel. If you score one of their five rooms, you’ll enjoy harbor front views, waterfront decks, beach gardens, access to a small private harbor beach, and warm hospitality. Additionally, there’s one free parking spot per room. The rooms are eclectic, with painted shiplap siding and imported linens, and the location and price are unbeatable. A stay here puts you within walking distance of the town’s art galleries, shops, and an LGBTQ nightlife scene complete with bars, drag shows, cabaret, and more. Best Pre-Ferry : Best Western Cape Cod Hotel Best Western Cape Cod Hotel See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Located just five minutes from the Hyannis ferry docks, the Best Western Cape Cod features competitive rates and a complimentary hot breakfast. Notable Amenities Business center, heated indoor pool, fitness center with hot tub and steam room Pros Free hot breakfast Kids stay for free Pet-friendly for up to two dogs at $30 per day Cons Rooms are a bit small For a quick stopover on your way to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, you can’t do better than the Hyannis Best Western Cape Cod Hotel. Here, you’re close to both Hyannis's Main Street and the Cape Cod Mall for last-minute needs. Rooms come with refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers, and there's also a free breakfast with both hot and cold offerings. Each room includes a small table and chairs for dining or remote work, plus cable or satellite TV. Guests can enjoy the heated indoor pool and get their daily cardio in at the complimentary 24-hour fitness center onsite. To top it off, the hotel is 100% smoke-free. Final Verdict Bayside Resort Hotel offers plenty of activities, but it does cost more than other suggestions. The Best Western Cape Cod Hotel is a great option for a one-night stay before boarding an island ferry. If price is your main consideration and you’re not the hostelling type, Cape Sands Inn is a strong value pick. Compare Best Budget Cape Cod Hotels Property Price Resort Fee Free Wifi Best Overall, Bayside Resort Hotel $$ No Yes Best for Families, Cape Codder Resort & Spa $$ $5.73 resort fee Yes Best Budget, HI Hyannis Hostel $ No Yes Best for Couples, Brewster By the Sea Inn $$ No Yes Best New Hotel, Bluebird Dennisport $$ No Yes Best Upper Cape, Inn on the Square $$ $19.13 resort fee Yes Best Mid-Cape, Cape Sands Inn $ No Yes Best Outer Cape, Dyer’s Beach House $$ No Yes Best Pre-Ferry, Best Western Cape Cod Hotel $$ No Yes Methodology We reviewed 25 different hotels, motels, and inns on Cape Cod. Value for price and geographic diversity were the main criteria used to select properties. We also considered hotel reputation, service, and amenities, in addition to proximity to points of interest. markchentx / Getty Images Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit