Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club is a world-class destination and a treasure for those who live and play here.

One of the most impressive and historic properties on Cape Cod is the former mansion of Samuel Mayo Nickerson, now home to Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club since 1986 when the august property first started to receive guests. The jewel of Cape Cod hospitality has 337 guest rooms and suites on 429 acres and features three outdoor and two indoor pools heated for winter use, nine tennis courts and Cape Cod’s only Nicklaus Design golf course which is as beautiful as it is challenging.

The resort offers more than just appetizing meals—it offers culinary experiences that will suit everyone’s tastes. Six restaurants across the property ensure that no matter what type of meal you desire, despite the variety of family members of culinary preferences, you will most likely find something that will make your meal memorable. Their Ocean Terrace, perched above Cape Cod Bay with unobstructed 180-degree-views from the South Shore to Provincetown is the perfect place to experience the quintessential Cape Cod day, accented by innovative and refreshing cocktails and first-class service. The elevated New England fare includes grilled lobster rolls with basil aioli, sumptuous clam chowder, and local oysters on the half shell.  As the sun sets on the Bay, extinguishing the last light of a day full of the beach, pools, tennis/pickleball, biking, kayaking, golf, and every other activity Cape Cod has to offer, the conversation and conviviality continue around the fire bowls and comfortable seating found throughout the expansive Ocean Terrace lounge area.

The Roscommon Room, the original families formal dining room, is an indoor extension of Ocean Terrace. It provides a place to settle in surrounded by gleaming wood paneling, encompassed by expansive windows that frame the outstanding view.

Looking for a cozier scenario? Bayzo’s Pub in the lower level of The Mansion features flavorful bar cuisine, large screen televisions, their own craft brew “Bayzo Brew,” exclusively brewed for them by Cape Cod Beer, and fine spirits, all in an old-fashioned pub atmosphere. Signature dishes include prosciutto mac ‘n cheese with Vermont cheddar, craft-beer battered fish ‘n chips, and seared lobster with cognac cream.

From late morning until 9 o’clock at night, Linx Tavern adjacent to the manicured golf course, serves up lunch, light bites and delicious dinners. Menu items run the gamut from roasted local zucchini “guacamole,” grilled watermelon and burrata, pistachio and hazelnut-crusted cod and grilled swordfish fricassee. Two outdoor patios keep the options fresh and exciting.

The Beach Bar, added in 2016, is literally on the resort’s private beach atop a dune. The shaded pavilion has 32 seats for those looking to grab a light bite and regionally inspired cocktails. Unobstructed views make sure everyone is able to enjoy the splendor of the beach, without even getting sand in their shoes!

The most recent addition to the line-up of dining and entertaining options at Ocean Edge is The Front Lawn. Originally debuted during COVID-19, The Front Lawn experience, a pop-up concept that was enthusiastically welcomed in the summer of 2020, is now being embraced for the 2021 season. The Mansion’s front lawn is transformed into an open-air hangout where local craft brews, wood-fired bites including pizzas and other noshes, sailcloth tents with special seating, live music on the weekends and more come together as one. The space offers a relaxed venue for families, couples, or groups of friends to spend that much-needed quality time together in the fresh Cape Cod air. Menu high lights include lobster pizza, fig and prosciutto pizza, fire-roasted chicken wings, vegetable kabobs, blistered corn, BBQ ribs, and s’mores nachos.

Another silver lining of the pandemic, since diners were looking for outdoor options even as the off-season encroached, has resulted in the property shifting from a 3-season venue to year-round. The temporary enclosure with ten heated igloos that enveloped Ocean Terrace, known as “The Frost Bar” prompted a focus on dining that kept the resort open through the winter of 2020/2021.

Executive Chef and Director of Food & Beverage Administration, Philip Flath, who oversees all of the food and beverage at the resort, says the last year has certainly had its challenges. “But my staff is absolutely the best. If we hadn’t had them we would never have been able to increase our offerings, let along just make it through.” That dedication and commitment is evident with every dish and every beverage served across the entire property.

After all of the indulgence in the irresistible food and beverages that are available across the resort, a spa day is also on the menu. The Beach House Spa that is open to the public, is a serene, breezy oasis for couples to pamper and recharge. With massages ranging from classic to immune boosting and the resort’s signature Beach House Massage, to mani/pedis and facials, there’s no limit to the ways guests can unwind and relax. Not only does the spa offer a premiere location right on the Cape, but it is very connected to the community and showcases jewelry and art from local artisans. The spa offers five treatment rooms, including a couples treatment room. The menu offers a range of full body massages, HydraFacials, wraps, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and hair and makeup services. An additional spa highlight is the Side Porch, a beautiful space that groups particularly like to take advantage of with a make-up station, blow-dry bar, and sound system to help set the mood. Aside from group bookings, spa guests can still take advantage of the space by enjoying its complimentary tea, coffee, and fresh fruit bar.

The immaculately manicured Nicklaus Design golf course offers 18 challenging holes nestled into breathtaking natural surroundings. Tree-lined fairways, rolling topography and dramatic elevation changes create an oasis for players of all levels. With a mix of harrowing approaches and dizzying doglegs, the course features 7,011 yards of golf with a par 72. Guests can head to the fairways for leisure play, or through private lessons and half-day golf schools, which are available from a staff of PGA professionals.

Additionally the roster of daily entertainment and activities for guests will keep the entire family occupied throughout the day.  Archery, private oyster bed tours where guests learn about farming and aquaculture on Cape Cod Bay and evening movies around the pool captivate every generation. Fitness classes that run the gamut from  Beach Yoga and Pilates, to Body Bar Plus, to Spin, Zumba and Cardio Strength Interval make sure your vacation doesn’t get the best of you. Live music through out the resort at various venues keeps things loose and relaxing. It seems as though the Director of FUN (a real position) spends most of her day thinking of a bucket list that will make each guest’s vacation one to remember for their entire life.

Leon Bolivar, Director of Marketing confirms the universal commitment each employee has in making time spent at Ocean Edge a time to treasure. “We are in the business of making people happy by helping to create new memories.” Given the depth and breadth of offerings for guests, the culinary and beverage options for locals and visitors, the exquisite and expansive historic grounds, and the un-paralled beauty of the best the Cape has to offer, being in the business of making people happy sounds like a dream job.

Julie Craven Wagner is the editor of Cape Cod Life Publications.