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Read what the Guidebooks have to say about the Simmons Homestead Inn
The following revues are from the best guidebooks. These are all books that send their editors out to actually check out the places for themselves, and they write the revues, good and bad. Sandra Soule’s book is a little different. She asks to have guests write their comments directly to her, and then she uses typical comments in her revue. Then there are dozens of other books, that simply let the innkeepers write their own descriptions. I am not including any of these, as you know in your heart of hearts that I would only write a glowing revue if left up to me. These revues are by others, so you can trust they were put together by pros trying to keep your best interests in mind.
FROMERS WONDERFUL WEEKENDS FROM BOSTON
by Marilyn Wood
Bill Putman, innkeeper at the Simmons Homestead Inn, 288 Scudder Ave., Hyannis Port, MA 02647 (800/637-1649 or 508/778-4999), injects a lot of fun into the business of innkeeping. He doesn't take himself too seriously, which makes for a very relaxing experience. Numerous sardonic signs are posted outside and inside stating among other things that no dullards or miscreants are welcome. The inn was built in 1820 for Lemuel Simmons, a famous sea captain.
It has all the original woodwork and the wide pine floors have been refinished. In the 12 bedrooms and the two-bedroom suite, Bill has come up with an unusual decorating theme. Every room is designed around a particular animal giraffes in one, cats in another, and elephants or zebras in still others. Complementary furnishings include canopied or brass beds and other country pieces. Two of the rooms have working fireplaces, and one has a private deck. The back rooms, which were originally used as servants quarters, are the largest accommodations. Here Bill serves a hearty breakfast that he doesn't pretend is gourmet. Swing seats await you on the wraparound porch, and hammocks are found in the garden. Guests gather for wine in the evening, and there is also a regulation-size billiard parlor and a sitting room with TV. Beer is available (for breakfast) and so are vouchers for the local fast food outlets (again for breakfast). Mountain bikes are available, plus beach chairs and towels. Rates: Mid-May through October $150 to $185, suite $260; November to mid-May, $100 to $140, suite $170.
(My note: The Inn was the only lodging recommended in the entire Hyannis Mid Cape area. Not bad!)
FROMMER’S GUIDE TO CAPE COD, NANTUCKET & MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Laura Reckford, Editor (around 2000)
The Simmons Homestead Inn, Hyannis Port. A former ad exec and race car driver, innkeeper Bill Putman has a silly side and isn’t afraid to show it. He started collecting animal artifacts – Stuffed toys, sculptures, even needlepoint and wallpaper – to differentiate the rather traditional rooms in this rambling 1820s captain’s manse, and kind of got carried away. The animal kingdom, plus his general friendliness, serve as an icebreaker, though. This is an inn where you’ll find everyone mulling around the hearth sipping complementary wine (served at sixish) while they compare notes and nail down dinner plans. Guests who prefer privacy may book the spiffily updated "servants quarters," a spacious, airy wing with it’s own private deck. Well-known athletes (such as O. J., in sunnier days, Bruce Jenner, Gayle Sayers, Frank Gifford, M. L. Carr, and even Red Auerbach) and performers from the nearby Melody Tent (Kenny Rogers, the whole R.E.M. Band and Carly Simon, for example) have sough refuge here over the years, and Putman promises every guest a special spot that’s "10 million miles from anywhere, and two minutes from everything."
She listed the inn as "expensive."
SPECIAL MENTION IN FROMER’S GUIDE.
In the front of the book is a special section on "BEST BUYS." The editors listed about 12 places on the whole Cape as best deals. Most were less expensive, but darn good values. The editors listed us, expensive as we are, as a true value. A place you get ‘more than you bargained for.' This is that listing:
"SIMMONS HOMESTEAD INN (Hyannisport). Bill Putman may be the most personable and hospitable innkeeper on Cape Cod. He is determined that his guests have an excellent vacation, a factor that may make the Simmons Homestead Inn one of the best deals around. A former race car driver/ad exec, Putman, who has filled his inn with a merry mishmash of animals, (stuffed, sculptured, or painted), has thoughtfully written up all his choices for the best things to see and do on Cape Cod. After you’ve toured around on his recommendations, join him for cocktails and tell him about your day. He’d love to hear about it.
FROMMER’S GUIDE TO CAPE COD, NANTUCKET & MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Laura Reckford, Editor (2008)
The first thing passers-by notice are all the classic red sports cars: 56 at last count. A former ad exec and race car driver, innkeeper Bill Putman likes to collect. He's made his sports-car collection into a small museum open to the public (admission $8 adukts, $4 children 10-16, 9 and under free as it is also for Inn guests) called Toad Hall, from The Wind in the Willows. Insidethe Inn is his animal collection. The stuffed toys, sculptures, needlepoints and wallpaper differentiate the rather traditional rooms in this large rambling 1820s captain's manse. This is an Inn where you'll find everyone around the hearth sipping complimentary wine (served at "6ish") while they compare notes and nail down dinner plans. To help the guests plan their days and evenings, Putman has typed up extensive notes on day trips around the Cape(including the Islands, Newport, Boston and more), bike routes(he supplies the bikes) , and his own quirky restaurant revues. Guests who prefer more privacy may book the spiffily updated 'Servants' Quarters," a spacious airy wing with two bedrooms each with it's own private deck. Rooms vary in size, but all are decorated with comfort and a sense of humor in mind. Four hammocks swing from trees in the shady back yard of this homey establishment.
ACCESS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
Peter Aiken, Editor.
Simmons Homestead Inn $$$. The Inn, built in 1820, houses some 14 bedrooms with their own baths. A variety of Animal motifs accentuate and differentiate the rooms. Owner, Bill Putman, has a certain Tigger-like quality himself. He positively bounces with enthusiasm – over his inn, over this corner of Cape Cod, over life in general. A former ad man, Putman sees his role here as that of not only an innkeeper, but also "purveyor of timely tiny tidbits of trivial information," and he has compiled tipsheets/maps covering all there is to do, see, and eat in the region. While he professes to be a terrible cook, guests – including such notables as Carly Simon, James Woods, and Dinah Shore – have had no complaints about the delicious blueberry pancakes or homemade French toast served for breakfast. As for those animals – stuffed , wooden, needlepointed, painted, every which way but real – you’ll probably find them either delightful or de trop. This is one bed and breakfast that is so much more than just a beautiful building or two. It is an experience where you truly feel like part of a family. Not just Bill, but the other people who work with him, will sit you down for the wine hour at sixish, chat and show you menus of the restaurants they recommend, get you out for the right meal, and help you plan your next day’s adventures. Nothing is left to chance here. You’ll leave with the best of all memories.
FODOR’S GUIDE TO CAPE COD, NANTUCKET & MARTHA’S VINEYARDKaren Cure, editor (around 1995)
$$ Simmons Homestead Inn. First the bad news: If you can’t stand smoke, don’t stay here, because
smoker Bill Putman readily admits he tolerates and encourages smoking. Now the good news: The 1820 former sea captain’s country estate is delightful, inviting escape from the world, even though it’s only two minutes from congested downtown Hyannis. Each of the 10 rooms (main house) and two suites (detached barn) is named for the animal memorabilia it houses. They have antique, wicker, or canopied four poster beds, and private baths: some have fireplaces and private decks. The Bird Room, the largest and cheeriest room in the menagerie, has an old fashioned cast-iron tub and a private deck. You can borrow the 10-speed mountain bikes to explore the town, or simply enjoy the garden views and expansive backyard from the wraparound porch. Simmons Pond is a short jaunt away on the property’s trail – expect Putman’s dog to tag along. (you can bring your own dog, with advance notice.) The bedrooms are non-smoking. (Innkeeper’s note: ask me about this guy, and his ‘friend.’).
FODOR’S GUIDE TO CAPE COD, NANTUCKET & MARTHA’S VINEYARD(2008 Edition)
At this 1820 former sea captain's estate, each room in the main house or the detatched barn is named for an animal and decorated (somewhat excessively) accordingly. This offbeat and casual Inn has rooms with antiques, wicker, capopied four poster beds topped with brightly colored quilts; some have fireplaces, and some such as the large cheery Bird Room, have private decks. You can borrow 10 speed mountain bikes and Simmons Pond is a short jaunt on the property's trail. Gregarious Innkeeper Bill Putman encourages you to return each evening for a wine-and-socializing hour. He'll also be happy to show you his collection of nearly 60 vintage cars, or his over 500 vintages of single malt Scotch. About three dozen friendly cats roam the property. Pros: Good place for people with pets, ample grounds and pond on the property, socializing among guests greatly encouraged with happy hours, great car collection. Cons: If you're not a cat lover, beware.
AMERICA’S FAVORITE INNS, B & Bs AND SMALL HOTELS
Sandra Soule, Editor
(This is the book that takes guest’s comments for the ‘revue.’)
The Simmons Homestead Inn. Hyannis has certainly changed since Captain Simmons built his homestead in 1820, but the warmth and hospitality of a well-liked inn has remained the same. After 160 years as a private home, the Homestead was converted into an inn in 1987. Innkeeper Bill Putman has
furnished with Colonial antiques, enlivened by many plants and his extensive collections of brass, wood, enameled, and cloth birds and animals – from macaws to elephants to giraffes. The second floor landing is home to the hoods from his old race car and that of Paul Newman, a motor, and radio controlled model airplanes. A simple but filling breakfast of fresh fruit, juices and coffee, scrambled eggs or blueberry pancakes, and bacon is served from 7:30-9 A.M.; Bill notes that if you don’t like the food, "beer is always available."
"Endless supply of wood for the fireplaces. Bill and others recommend excellent restaurants and make dinner reservations." (Noreen Manzo) "The Rabbit Room has polished floors, scatter rugs, easy chairs, lace curtains, and bunnies everywhere. Its bathroom was equally wonderful with an original cast-iron bath and quantities of fluffy towels. Guests gather in the common area each evening to enjoycomplimentary wine and Bill’s entertaining stories. It was difficult to tear yourself away and go out for the evening. Breakfast was served in the dining room, where the guests sit around one large table and chat about the previous day’s experiences while eating Betsy’s fabulous breakfasts. Complimentary hot and cold beverages are always available on a self-serve basis."(Claire & Craig Johnson) "You couldn’t meet two friendlier people than Bill and Betsy; they were the highlight of our stay. Plenty of hot water for the tub."(Evelyn Sullivan) "Each guestroom has an individual animal decorating theme: parrots, fish, rabbits, giraffes, elephants, and more. Warm innkeepers directed us to the best beaches." (Allen Sisson) "Being a smoker of cigars and pipes; it was nice to find an inn where I can enjoy these pleasures. The innkeeper was a fount of knowledge about Cape Cod, providing maps and excellent suggestions." (Joseph Landolfi) "Even though check-out time was long past, no one wanted to leave. The guests were all chatting, laughing, and kibitzing with the innkeepers. We got a chuckle out of the sign in the dining room which states, '‘he Innkeeper is Always Right.’ " (RC) "The inn is convenient to town and a couple of blocks from the Kennedy Family compound." (R.B. & Patty Clark) "Bill has written directions to the area, including what is good and what is not." (JMB) "The Elephant Room has a queen-size four-poster bed with canopy, fireplace, and Queen Anne’s chairs; elephant art accents the décor." (Karen Mason)
GETAWAYS FOR GOURMETS IN THE NORTHEAST
Nancy & Richard Woodworth
The Simmons Homestead Inn. "I can’t abide empty spaces," says Bill Putman, who has filled every available space, and then some, at this winner of a B&B. Built by a sea captain, the restored country estate was acquired in 1988 by Bill, then recently widowed, and turned into a B&B of great personality.
Part of the personality comes from Bill, an outgoing, marketing type who proudly displays his various collections throughout the house. But most of it comes from the inn itself and its furnishings. Start with a 32 foot long living room, comfortable as can be and now a jungle of hanging plants as "the only empty spaces left are on the ceiling." The room is notable for all the brass birds on the mantel and inanimate wildlife everywhere, a remarkable tapestry of animals done by his late wife, Suzy, and large parrots from Pavo Real. Parrots are a theme repeated in many rooms. For instance, they are on the chandeliers in a 20 by 40 foot dining room, which has a fantastic collection of mugs depicting different fruits to coordinate with the fruit du jour china. Here guests gather at two tables for a full breakfast with perhaps cheese omelets or blueberry pancakes. Bill does the cooking – "I learned quickly," says he, although he did defer once to a skeptical guest, Dinah Shore. He serves complimentary wine in the early evening on the breezy porches in the summer and in front of the roaring fireplace in the winter, and invites guests to sample single malt scotches from his vast collection week nights in the off season.
Along with a lively house-party atmosphere ("the place is simply fun," Bill says in a letter to prospective guests), it is the two-bedroom suite and twelve guestrooms with private baths that are most unusual. Room 3, the elephant room, has a working fireplace and a queen size four-poster with a fishnet canopy. Its theme is elephants, and they are everywhere – inside the shutters, on the windows, on the mantel. Room 6 is the rabbit room, with a king-size bed and bunnies all around. Room 7, Bill’s concession to country décor, has a cherry four-poster bed and a country goose theme. It also serves as a transition to Room 8, which is simply wild. Beneath the cathedral ceiling is a loft that’s a jungle of plants and animals, including a purple rhinoceros. Animals are appliqued all over the walls, the queen size bed is purple and the floor is painted green, and somehow it all works. Traditionalists might prefer the new rooms in the old servants quarters. Room 10, the largest and brightest, has its own little patio bedecked with spirea. It’s outfitted in white wicker with a king size bed and blue summery prints and birds galore. Families go for a new two bedroom suite in the barn annex.
Bill, a former race car driver, displays the hoods of his race car and Paul Newman’s on the upstairs landing and racing photos in a long upstairs hallway. There’s also a bulletin board with letters from guests, sheets of personalized ideas and directions for what to do around the Cape, and a map with pins showing where guests have come from. Not to mention several plants adorned with tiny white lights. Or a new billiards room in the barn annex. "I wanted to create a place where you feel at home," Bill says. Although it’s not like any home we know, we’d be quite at home as guests.
INSIDERS GUIDE TO CAPE CODby Debi Boucher Stetson
Simmons Homestead Inn $$$. Hyannis Port is home to the Simmons Homestead Inn, a historic sea captain’s home that was built in 1820 by Lemuel Simmons and converted into a country inn in 1987. It remains the only inn in hyannisport, and is the perfect setting for a Hyannis-based stay that will include
shopping, dining, entertainment, beaches and boat excursions, all within a short walk or drive.
The property is attractive, with a great rolling backyard and a sitting porch. The interior décor is eclectic, reflecting the personality of its fun loving innkeeper. The inn has 12 rooms, some furnished with canopied four-poster beds, brass beds or white wicker. Each room has a private deck two have working fireplaces.
The rooms each have their own animal theme (as in giraffe, elephant, cat, etc.). The place is just fun! There’s even a spacious billiards room – and a sharp one at that. There are a dozen 10-speed mountain bikes available for guests to use. In the morning guests will find a full country breakfast in the dining room (once the late Dinah Shore cooked breakfast for the guests). Wine is served at 6 P.M. to get the guests into the evening mood, and a single malt scotch tasting is held evenings from Sunday to Thursday during the winter months (we told you this place is fun). Open all year, the inn welcomes children and pets.
CAPE COD TRAVEL GUIDE
Don’t for a minute be deceived by the traditional exterior of this 1820 sea captain’s home on Scudder Avenue in Hyannisport, for a puckish sense of fun permeates the Simmons Homestead Inn (800-637-1649 or 508-778-4999). Each of its 12 guest accommodations is appointed with private bath, antiques, and lots of animals – of the sculpted, carved, stuffed, painted, oven fired and needlepointed species. Ebullient Innkeeper Bill Putman provides lots of sightseeing advice, ten-speed mountain bikes (and car bike racks, if needed); he is less generous with his inn cars, which include several Lotuses. There are rooms with brass or canopy beds (queen or king in dimension), others with working fireplaces; all are lovingly furnished. Enjoy total privacy (especially in the servants quarters with its own private deck) or engage your gregarious nature with other visitors over complimentary wine around six p.m., over breakfast, or in the billiard room. Children of all ages are welcome.
DOGGONE NEWS
This is from a bi-monthly Newsletter January/February 2001. They did an article titled, 'A WILD CAPE COD FIND' by Alice Giordano who stayed here in the Fall with her dogs Moxie and Fritz.
Ah, Cape Cod in the off season. No traffic, no crowds, just great beaches, great restaurants and great shopping. Finding a place to stay somewhere on the Cape is entirely another story. There are a handful of hotels and motels found along Routes 6, but some of the accomodations leave much to be desired. That's not the case with The Simmons Homestead Inn, found in, of all places, elite Kennedy Country. The Hyannis Port Inn is not as big a compound as the famous one just around the corner, but is still very spacious. The attractive bed and breakfast, the former home of a famous sea captain, is compromised of 14 guest rooms. They feature beautiful hardwood floors, antique furnishings, country quilts, canopy and four poster beds, and plenty of room for you and your four legged companion - which doesn't necessarily have to be a dog. The inn even allows 'small farm animals.' The only stipulation is a one time $25 clean-up fee the inn charges pet owning guests.
Animals, in fact, play a major role in the inn's accommodations. Innkeeper Bill Putman has given each of his guest rooms animal themes, They include cats, giraffes, elephants, owls, birds ad fishes to name a few. There are even live cats - six in all at the inn. Bill adopted them from an area shelter. The best pick of rooms for guests with dogs is none other than the Horse and Houds Room. The apartment-like suite,
found on the second floor in the inn's annex building icludes two bedrooms, cathedral ceilings, and, of course, horse and hound decor. During the summer season, the rate for the suite is $300, but it is much more palatable during the off season at a rate of $200. My husband and I and our two dogs stayed in the Elephant Room Thanksgiving night. It was smaller and not quite as upscale as some of the other rooms. But we had a fireplace and, as usual, Fritz my heat-hogging border collie, parked in front of it. Moxie, our siberian huskey, curled up on one of the throw rugs with one eye open to make sure he didn't miss out on anything. At the Inn, dogs do't miss out on much.
They are allowed just about everywhere except at the breakfast table. They can sit with you in either of the inn's common rooms, and are free to walk the inn's grounds, including Bill's priceless collection of antique racing and touring sports cars. We had a ball walking around the inn with the dogs close behind. Bill leaves bottles of wine around in both buildings for guests. And in the winter, he hosts a single malt scotch tasting hour. In the main inn, the common room is decorated with period furniture and includes a library, chessboards, Scrabble, puzzels, and the likes. Tom and I relaxed in two Queen Anne chairs sipping our tea and coffee as Moxie and Fritz sniffed at some of Bill's animal sculptures.
The only television in the inn is in the annex common room. But we had no interest in watching any TV after finding the billiard room - my favorite of all rooms in the inn. It is outfitted with a georgeous tournament-sized pool table and all the appropriate frills, including a framed Arthur Sernoff print of dogs playing pool with the humorous caption, "Hey, one leg on the floor." Moxie and Fritz lounged on the plush carpet as we shot pool till midnight. The inn's friendliness has even taken a humorous tone. Bill has clad the grounds of his imposing inn with a gaggle of pink flamingos. "All the rooms with animal themes, allowing pets and all, has apparently backfired," mused Bill. "Word somehow got out and several herds of flamingos have taken over the inn."
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