Lotus Provincetown

The sauna was the best part of the stay and helped make up for some of the rest. The room was cozy, though small, and I wouldn’t recommend it for tall people or for hanging out in. It’s mainly a place to sleep. The bathroom was described as shared with two other rooms, but it was used by more than that, and one bathroom for both upstairs and downstairs wasn’t enough. The fridge was shared too. It would be better to have one in each room so everyone could store even a few small items. The photos felt exaggerated, and although an online application can speed things up, I wanted some contact on site, even a hidden office, in case an appliance failed or there was an emergency. We had little idea how limited contact would be. Luckily, the power only went out on the last day. Parking was horrendous: $90 for two days in the off-season. The site’s parking advice was definitely outdated. They also require a $150 room deposit. We left the room in good shape but didn’t get that money back, so expect the $150 on top of the regular bill, about $450 rather than $300 for the smallest shared-bathroom unit. I understand they don’t like third-party sites, but the listing was still misleading. It wasn’t the worst inn, but it wasn’t the best either.

The room was wonderful, and the shared bathroom worked perfectly. Robes and the other little in-room extras were a nice touch. Check-in and check-out were entirely remote and very easy. I love that it’s adults only.

We woke up to ants all over our room. We were traveling with a cooler, and even though it was closed, ants covered it and got inside. They also got into our toiletries and clothes, so we had to throw everything away. For a one-night stay, it was torture. Our room was tiny, had no bathroom, and shared doors with other bedrooms. We could hear everything in the hall and adjoining rooms. Waiting for one bathroom on a floor full of rooms wasn’t fun. It felt like a hostel at hotel prices. The photos were nothing like the place we ended up in, so be very careful about what you book. Prices on Airbnb are completely different and cheaper, and hotel-site bookings may cost more. If you drive, expect another $40 a day for nearby parking. For the price, there are much better options. I’d recommend an actual hotel with parking included so you can enjoy your vacation.

The stairs were the only drawback for me: we were on the third floor, and it’s a steep walk up. Check-in was easy and thorough, and staff responded quickly by text. It was our first stay at the Lotus, but won’t be our last. The guest house was clean and comfortable, and close to the ferry and town center. We had our own bathroom; the shared one was also very clean and well stocked. Each floor has its own coffee bar, and there was a nice deck out back.