4* Crowne Pointe Hotel & Spa

There’s something gloriously old-school about Provincetown Inn. It has been sitting at the very end of Commercial Street since 1925, with Cape Cod Bay on one side and the famous Provincetown Breakwater stretching out almost from the front door. The star attraction is Provincetown’s largest outdoor waterfront pool, backed up by a private beach, seasonal pool bar, Breakwater Café and West End Lounge. Some rooms look directly across the harbour, while historic murals dotted around the property tell stories from Provincetown’s past. During the busier LGBTQ festival weeks the pool scene can become much livelier than the otherwise relaxed surroundings suggest. Central Commercial Street is a pleasant walk east from here, so you can dip into Provincetown’s gay nightlife and then retreat back towards the quieter West End. GayMapper tip: The pool and waterfront are the reasons to book – a harbour-view room turns this into a very different stay.

If your Provincetown holiday plan involves rather more beach and rather less boutique guesthouse, Sandcastle Resort & Club offers space on a scale you rarely find in town. It sits well out along Commercial Street with 200 feet of private sandy beach and sweeping views across Cape Cod Bay. Studios and suites come with full kitchens, making longer stays easy, while the resort has indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and basketball, a fitness centre and plenty of room to spread out. A complimentary shuttle into town is especially useful, because this is very much a resort-at-the-edge-of-Provincetown rather than somewhere you stroll home to after a night at Crown & Anchor. Drag brunches and other events add some LGBTQ energy without turning the whole place into a party hotel. GayMapper tip: Best for longer stays when a kitchen, beach and proper resort facilities outweigh being right in the middle of Commercial Street.

Four acres of gardens and hillside grounds give Seaglass Inn & Spa an unusually spacious feel for Provincetown. Set above the West End, it manages to feel tucked away while keeping Commercial Street, beaches and the centre of town within reach. The seasonal outdoor pool is the obvious summer draw, but the spa deserves attention too, offering massages, hot-stone treatments, reflexology, Reiki and other therapies. Rooms have a relaxed coastal feel, and free parking is another welcome perk if you’ve driven onto the Cape. This is one of the more peaceful stays on the list, particularly suited to travellers who like a slower morning and don’t necessarily need the LGBTQ nightlife directly outside. When you do want the bars and restaurants, central Provincetown is around a 15-minute walk away. GayMapper tip: A massage followed by an afternoon beside the pool is a very good antidote to several consecutive nights on Commercial Street.

You could quite reasonably come back from Provincetown needing a holiday from your holiday, which is where Crowne Pointe Hotel & Spa earns its keep. The adults-only property occupies six historic buildings right in the centre of town but has a decidedly indulgent side. Its Shui Spa includes sauna, steam and soaking facilities, while the landscaped courtyard has an outdoor pool for warmer days. A cooked breakfast is included, there’s an evening wine social, and The Pointe Restaurant adds Portuguese-influenced dining without requiring another reservation somewhere along Commercial Street. Step outside and the bars, shows, shops and restaurants of central Provincetown are all within minutes, making this one of the easiest places to combine proper spa downtime with busy evenings. GayMapper tip: Use the spa before heading out, not after – Provincetown has a habit of turning “one drink” into considerably more.

Gabriel’s hides one of Provincetown’s loveliest surprises behind its historic buildings: three levels of lush garden courtyard, complete with sitting areas, outdoor fireplaces and a waterfall. Yet Commercial Street is only a block away, so you’re barely removed from everything going on in town. The rooms and suites are unusually individual. Depending on what you book, you might get a kitchen, fireplace, private deck, Jacuzzi tub, spa shower or even your own cedar sauna. Nine rooms are dog-friendly, and a private gate leads directly into the neighbouring park – very handy if your holiday party includes four legs. The location beside the Pilgrim Monument makes central restaurants, ferries, shops and LGBTQ nightlife almost effortless. GayMapper tip: Look carefully through the room categories rather than just booking the cheapest – the fireplaces, decks and private sauna can completely change the experience.

Built in 1840 and facing Provincetown Harbor, Somerset House Inn combines proper historic character with one of the most convenient locations on Commercial Street. Cross the road and there’s a public path straight down to the harbour beach, while shops, galleries, restaurants and the town’s LGBTQ nightlife unfold in either direction. Breakfast is a highlight here, with a full cooked spread served daily and vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. Later, guests gather for the complimentary beer and wine reception – a lovely little social ritual before heading out for the evening. Rooms are individually styled and air-conditioned, with some adding fireplaces or sea views, while the garden, patio and newly designed parlour give you plenty of places to linger. MacMillan Wharf is only around ten minutes away on foot, making ferry arrivals particularly easy. GayMapper tip: Come hungry for breakfast – this is one of those inns where the morning meal genuinely deserves space in your plans.