Simmons Homestead Inn
Special Information and Stuff

The Value of Staying in One Spot on Cape Cod
So many people new to Cape Cod simply do not realize how compact the Cape is as a whole, and the proximity of the towns and the nearby islands. We strongly recommend the best approach is to stay in the Hyannis Area, whether it is here or some other inn. The area is dead center on the Cape, and on the ocean side. We have handouts to get you all around the Cape in one or two days, see everything, and then come back here relax, have wine and go to dinner. The next day, you can take a day trip to Nantucket or the Vineyard, see everything you need or want to see and then come home in the evening. We day trip folks to Newport or Boston from here, both are less than 90 minutes away.

The benefit of staying in one spot means every minute you are touring, you are enjoying it. For instance, if you are planning three days and two nights on Nantucket, the first day is shot in travel and checking in and unpacking. The next day is great and you'll enjoy it, the third day is spent packing, getting out of your room, toting bags around until the return boat trip. You spent three days here and saw the island for only one. You could have stayed in this area, done it all in a single day trip, and been back here that night. Same amount of sight seeing in half the time. Five days in one spot will get you around the mid and lower Cape, a visit to both Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, a day trip to Newport, and the last day a run around the upper Cape and Plymouth on the way back to Boston. Tour around, relax, don't spend time packing and unpacking. It's also less expensive to stay in one spot considering we and most places have lower prices for longer stays.

The guy on the right eating frogs is Adrian.

Special Events here at the Inn

While Bill holds Single Malt Scotch tastings during the winter months, we sometimes get professional help along those lines. Last year we had the Managing Director of Ardbeg and Glenmorangie Distilleries in Scotland troop on over with a bagpiper and some dozen different bottles of their great malts. One that was not available here in the colonies. Fun time truly had by all. They promise a return visit.

And, speaking of bagpipers, had a whole band of 'em here the last several Springs. A local charity has a walk-a-thon, and uses the Inn as the halfway watering hole. Set up tables back by the car area so folks could grab a drink and check out the red guys. Best was they had a 12 or so piece Scot Bagpipe band holding forth. Trooping around, playing and giving everyone a great 'break.' Gonna do it every year in Mid May.

The Car Show in Hyannis
If you are here on Father's Day, there is a great classic car show in Hyannis. The block off the entire downtown part of Main Street and some 300 cars show up. Bill and the guests used to take a bunch of cars up. But now they are doing just fine and it's gotten too hard to get the cars out of Toad Hall anymore.

There are also some special British Car Shows. In mid June, Heritage Museum in Sandwich has 'British on the Green' on a Sunday. The THe Cape Cod British Car Club holds a show in Falmouth on the Sunday of Columbus Day Weekend. If you need a serious car fix, these are three great times to be here.

The Cats - All their names start with 'A'
as they are all Alpha Cats one way or the other. If you remember the old Bob Newhart Show, he had his Larry, Daryl and Daryl. Well, the Inn has Alex, Adrian and Also Adrian. Call the second one Also so they don't get confused. Cats may have a huge vocabulary, but all they let you in on is that they know three words: their name, food and outside. Little Adrian is named after Adrian Newey, chief engineer for the McLaren Formula One race car team. The big guy is named after Adrian Reynard, designer of the Reynard chassis that CART teams use and is also co owner of the British American Racing Formula One team. Fast company indeed. Alex is simply named for Alexander the Great. Alex is the official Assistant Innkeeper (of sorts). He is the first one who runs out to meet and greet incoming guests. Still can't figure why he isn't allowed in the Inn, but keeps trying. Then over the years, Bill keeps adopting long haired critters from the MSCPA and as of 2006 the count is 30 of them.

Alex

Adrian

Also Adrian

Feeding time is a hectic time. This was taken before I got up to the current thirteen cats. Worse now. But, once it's over, there is ample time to just hang around. Annie is the one in the front. She's named for Annie Oakley, 'cause she was a hot pistol when a kitten. Not much better now, but a tad more sedate. She's next to Adam, who she has a 'crush' on. Adam, named simply for Up And Adam!, couldn't give a hoot.


Then we have Amanda. She was named for the costar in Gunsmoke, Amanda Blake, whose stage name was, of course, Miss Kitty. Well, Amanda is a Tortoise Shell cat, and like all Torties has a typical attitude problem, but not if you ask her. Amanda feels she was born to be the reigning Bitch Goddess of all time. Absolutely beautiful, but kinda out there on her own. Miserable attitude with the other cats, me or anyone who dares to cross her path. Probably one of the sweetest cats I have as long as it suits her. If you walk by without giving her a stroke on the head or back, she'll simply bat at you with her claws to remind you of your 'duty.' Dare to pick her up and you'll get the cat equivalent of "Don't you dare touch me human!"

If I got her first, I either wouldn't have bothered to get any more (enough is enough), or I would have conceeded in her favor not to name any other cats with Alpha 'A' names. She does rule the roost, unless she gets on Alex's case and he'll simply chase her (screaming) into another room.

Here she is going into hour number three getting this stupid frog band to play 'Amanda the Beautiful' and play it right.

A good Jewish Ameriacn Princess has to protect her image you know. An aside. When Carly Simon was at the Inn a bunch of years ago, there was a cat pillow in her room with the initials JAP. Carly said, "I'm one of those you know." I said, "No Carly, we had a cat once named Jenifer. Dumb as a brick but sweet. Suzy made the pillow, and obviously the J was for Jennifer, the P for Putman. Asked her what the A stood for. 'Asshole' she replied with a smile." Right on target. No Carly not you, Jennifer.

Take me back to the Main Page
Let me see the Rooms and Prices
What about the Policies and Details
Let me get directions to the Inn
Can I look at what the Guidebooks say
How about a peek at the Sports Cars
Heck, let's see all the Cats
I'd like to see Bill's Scotch Collection
I would like to contact the Inn