My husband and I spent a long w/e at CBI in Feb for a "babymoon" getaway. We know Chatham very well (got married at the Wequassett) and have eaten at the beach club restauarant at CBI several times over the summers.

We weren't quite sure what to expect at the Inn off season, but it was great! The staff is all very friendly and professional. Our room in the main Inn was small, however given the time of year, I wanted to be able to walk downstairs to breakfast in the AM w/o putting a coat on, so it worked for us (although I can't imagine spending top dollar on it in the summer). Weather was mild though so we enjoyed being able to walk into chatham center.

The best part (besides being w/ my husband & the views) was dinner was dinner in the Tavern! we sat at the table in front of the fireplace and the chicken I order was amazing! my husband enjoyed his meal as well. we shared 3 mini desserts which were a lot of fun.

Fri night there was complimentary wine in the "South Lounge" which was nice (for my husband). We relaxed there before dinner. Great atmosphere in there! they recently redid the room I think.

Breakfast was included in the main dining room. On Sat I didn't think it was that great, Sun was much better- and we arrived at about the same time, i guess sun we just must have gotten there as they refilled everything. The views are amazing. On Sat there were pple there moving chairs/tables to another room- they were basicall reconfiguring the tables, and dragging the chairs across the floor which made a horrible noise! I wouldn't have minded if it was just for a min or 2, but it went on for 15 mins during our breakfast. The pple working there obviously didn't realize what a distraction this was to all of the guests trying to enjoy breakfast. It was an embarrassment to CBI.

Overall a very special getaway. We were commenting on what a great off season spot it was and would be fun to head down w/ friends for a w/e at some point.

We have stayed twice at this hotel (January 2008 and Feb 2008). The staff/service has been amazing both times. The staff is willing to do anything they can to make your stay better, and I would recommend this "inn" to anybody looking for a wonderful weekend getaway.

We have been staying at the CBI for a long weekend in the off season for 3 years running and will continue to do so. Many of the complaints about high rates and crowds do not apply in the winter and early Spring, and while you won't get the same use of the beach and pool, a winter visit will provide plenty of old fashioned charm, hospitality, and great views.
We travel with a toddler son so the cottage rooms are ideal. Also, after a visit several years ago with a less-than-impressive room in the Main Inn, I am very willing to suffer the longer walks for the fresh decor and space offered by the cottage accomodations.
Yes, there are shortcomings and this year, the management change did seem to add a bit of confusion to the process (you can no longer reserve a specific cottage building, rates are up and not always up-to-date on their website) ....but the new spa is absolutely gorgeous and services are very good - and I haven't even seen the outdoor space that was just completed over the summer! A few years ago, the poor masseuses had to work out of empty hotel rooms near the main inn - not exactly cozy or pampering for the guest. The locker room is well appointed and the waiting area is calm and restful - Tall men be warned: husband found the robes a little small to wear in the common areas.
Even in winter, there are family and kid's activities like a scavenger hunt or guided nature walk. The shops in town are all having sales and restaurants are surprisingly lively (make reservations on the wekends).
Our cottage room had a King bed, spotless pack & play, gas fireplace, sm frige (great for toddler snacks and milk), pretty views over the golf course, and parking just several steps from the front door. A big window seat, dining table, nice built ins and seaside/country decor complete the picture. The linens are nice and the heating /AC system responsive and efficient. Baths are small and rather utilitarian but adequate and, in cottage rooms, there is a large vanity are around the sink for plenty of storage. A big closet could hold a week's worth of clothes and suitcases. Be aware that the cottages are a good walk from the main inn and (some) from the spa - they feel, at least in winter, like independent rental accomodations so if you are looking for a pampered "inn" experience - they may not be for you.
The main inn offers afternoon cookies and and cider in the living room, board games in the library, a roaring (gas) fire, and free morning coffee/tea. The restaurants are good but the main dining room is overpriced - try the elegant tavern for good food and competitive prices.
We have had some small snafus over the years: the promised DVD player missing, late set up of the pack-n-play, a not too spotless bathroom... But all concerns have always been addressed in a cheerful and timely manner. We even received a letter of apology from management in the case of the housekeeping oversight.
Knowing the property as we do, I don't think I would shell out thousands of dollars per night for the summer high season - but maybe when our little one is old enough for the all-day kid camps I will feel differently.

We are a family of three, two adults and a girl of 7. We are travelling a lot internationally, South Africa, Dubai, Portugal, Spain, Uk, Germany, Austria, just to name a few.

We aimed to stay for 9 days at Chatham Bars Inn, but decided after four hours to cancel. The rooms are inappropriate, especially if you compare them with the webpage. International standards for a "Leading hotel of the World" seem to be worth nothing there.

The pictures of the beach on the web are beautiful, the reality is shocking, you do not want to swim there. The pool was around 30 celsius, cabanas not available and the pool area just too small for so many guests. The beach restaurant is a joke, no wine card, just white, red and rose wine, served in plastic glases. The terrace of the
hotel for an afternoon tea is nice, however, the chairs and the tables
should be cleaned sometimes.

This hotel would be a 3star in Europe, it is definetly not a "leading hotel of the World".