The Candleberry Inn on Cape Cod has been ranked No. 1 on Tripadvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best list of the country’s top B&Bs and inns. Two inns in St. Augustine were the only Florida establishments among the top 25.

Based on reviews and ratings gathered from travelers worldwide on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, the awards recognize the top traveler-favorite locations, lodging options, restaurants, and more. Winners of the Best of the Best award are among the top 1% of Tripadvisor listings, making them the top picks of tourists in 2023.

The Candleberry Inn is a boutique bed & breakfast that has won numerous awards. It is situated in Brewster, the historic center of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Beautifully designed rooms with modern private bathrooms, central air conditioning, and HDTVs are also available. Each morning, have a sumptuous multi-course gourmet breakfast. The Candleberry Inn is ideally located in the heart of a traditional Cape Cod community for visiting the region.

The two Florida inns selected are The Cedar House Inn (No. 4) and St. Francis Inn Bed and Breakfast (No. 13), both located in St. Augustine.

“We are so thankful to all of our guests who have left us reviews on TripAdvisor,” said Marco DiDomizio, co-owner of the Candleberry Inn. “We feel like it gives our future guests a more multifaceted viewpoint on what it’s like to stay at the Candleberry Inn. Our goal is always to serve our guests at the highest level. What a privilege it has been to do that.”

“Congratulations to the 2023 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best winners,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who matter most: your guests. With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am continually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”

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When you enter the grounds of Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club on Cape Cod, you’ll find yourself deliciously transported to a different era. A member of the prestigious Historic Hotels of America, the stately structure dubbed “The Mansion” sits on the lush 429-acre property, originally the family home to generations of the Nickerson family starting in the 1890s. 

With regal fireplaces, stained glass windows, an intricately carved banister, wood-paneled walls and floors, the sprawling multi-storied property evokes old-world elegance while also making you feel right at home. Back in the day, after all, the sounds of the Nickerson children and pets, games and parties filled the air—an authentic family vibe continuing today, sure to persuade you to get out and play.

Depending on the size of your group and what’s important to you, choose the perfect home-away-from-home at this amenity-rich resort at The Mansion, which includes the Presidential Bay Collection Villas, adjacent to the beach. Or, a few minutes away and connected by shuttle lies The Villages, an expansive community surrounding the area’s only Nicklaus Design golf course. This pet-friendly area is an obvious fit for multigenerational families, not just golfers. It provides myriad perks such as access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, restaurants, sports facility, and several swimming pools—one of which hosts “Dive-In” movie nights.

No matter which area of the resort you choose for your stay, however, the stimulating wide-ranging menu of activities may entice you—like it did me—to get out and try something new, resulting in a memorable time shaped by firsts.

In preparation for an afternoon pickleball lesson (my group were all first-timers, in fact), we fueled up at the golf course clubhouse restaurant Linx Tavern, a popular gathering place under the leadership of Executive Chef Philip Flath, known for his fresh innovative culinary experiences centered around seafood. Lunching under dappled sunlight on the terrace overlooking the first tee, I tucked into spring greens with a generous dollop of lobster salad.

Nearby at Blueberry Pond Recreation Center, our pickleball instructor explained America’s fastest growing sport—a mashup of ping-pong, tennis and badminton. It’s a fun, easy group sport to learn and we were sending zingers over the net in no time. Even more quickly, we appreciated that it’s a super social game, sure to fire up the relationships. We laughed harder than we played—perhaps in part because we were all beginners having a good time.

During the evenings, the indoor-outdoor restaurant Ocean Terrace at The Mansion serves signature New England classics in a warm, colorful setting with casual seating around dancing firepits or upscale dining under the stars. I enjoyed my first Cape Cod Cranberry Mojito—a beautifully balanced cocktail, generously garnished with cranberries and fresh mint. Poking around on the menu, I made note to order the lobster frittata for brunch during my stay, apparently a guest favorite. While waiting for my halibut, I laid aside all apprehension and ate my very first oyster—harvested locally from the Brewster flats, literally a couple hundred feet offshore from where I sat.

It especially seemed like a must to try my first oyster here because earlier in the day around low tide, we’d met our affable guide Bud for an unforgettable Oyster Bed Tour. Wearing water-shoes and shorts, we waded together through water up to our knees and Bud explained the life cycle of an oyster, pointing out wild oysters attached to rock clusters before taking us over to oyster cages on the farm, patiently answering our rain of questions along the way. A wealth of information, Bud offered a fun fact for oyster-lovers: the best and safest time to eat oysters are in months which include the letter R.

With temperatures hovering at a heavenly 70 degrees, the Cape seemed like the perfect place to check another box and take my first-ever golf lesson. I thought I may test the patience of my instructor Shayne Sakson, Director of Golf at the Golf Club, to the breaking-point, but he worked tirelessly to introduce me to the historic game. A sweaty nervous mess, I worked the pitching wedge, celebrating when I made contact with the ball before graduating to a driver to tee off—producing a satisfying cracking sound. 

The 26-mile scenic Cape Cod Rail Trail winds through Ocean Edge’s property and we hopped on comfy resort bikes. A huge boon for outdoor-enthusiasts, the dedicated walk-run-bike trail connects a large swath of the Cape, offering a safe serene path for long rides. Unfortunately, we had time for just a teaser-of-a-ride, returning within eyeshot of the resort’s Beach House Spa, a peaceful sanctuary known for sumptuous treatments and an idyllic porch with colorful Adirondack chairs.

Along the boardwalk leading to the resort’s private beach is the hidden-gem Beach Bar, the area’s best kept secret. Though open to the public, it flies under the radar, making it an irresistible place to linger—day or night. The view can’t be rivaled, inviting you to drink in the enchanting blues of the Cape—beverage in hand—and on the clearest of days, offering glimpses of Provincetown. It’s the place to be when the sun sets, unless you opt instead for making s’mores on the beach to witness day to turn night. Expect a private, flickering bonfire, drinks from the bar and all the fixings for s’mores against the backdrop of a painted sky.

Luckily, we practiced self-restraint with the s’mores because dinner was at La Bella Vita. Stepping into the restaurant, the ambiance pulls you in with its charmingly rustic interior sure to produce a full-throated Italian culinary experience. A sucker for pizza, I selected The Bee Sting while my group tucked into pastas—Bolognese, alfredo and chicken parmesan. 

Late afternoons, the resort green space is transformed in warm months to host the festive Front Lawn Games offering food such as wood-fired pizza and games to satisfy every taste, including bocce ball, horseshoes and croquet. Of course, I tried archery to expand my string of firsts. Retire afterwards to Bayzo’s Pub, a hangout with speakeasy vibes in the oldest part of the property etched with history and personality. Listen to live music with a drink and if the fun and games have your stomach growling, a bowl of their delicious New England clam chowder will set you right. 

Rain was falling hard the morning of my departure and with coffee in hand, I waited in the cozy library, my favorite room in The Mansion. A cheery crackling fire greeted me and sinking heavily into a leather chair, it was easy to imagine just how charming a winter stay at this year-round New England resort would be.

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