4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
Gifford House
Why book?
An inn, a porch bar, a lounge, a nightclub, a theatrical speakeasy—all under one roof? You bet. This isn't where you come to plop down on the beach and unplug (although you can do that, too). Gifford House is where you come to truly be a part of the Provincetown community.
Set the scene
There's always something happening at Gifford House, thanks to its vibrant porch bar, nightclub, lounge, and theatrical spaces, all of which are heavily programmed during the summer months. The premises are a veritable revolving door of drag queens, musicians, city slickers, Cape Cod locals, and more. Truly, all are welcome here.
The backstory
The building dates back to 1858, when it served as the absolute last stop of the cross-country stagecoach. Provincetown, once a bohemian artists colony and currently an LGBTQ-friendly paradise, truly feels 'like the end of the world,' according to owner Steve Azar, who has a background in real estate development. Under his stewardship, the building has entered a fantastic new era of vibrancy, with common spaces that feel integral to the Provincetown community and restored guest rooms for a restful night's sleep. 'My vision was to create a queer space where everyone feels welcome,' says Azar.
The rooms
Rooms are spread across two buildings—the main building and the (even more) historic annex—and have been updated for the 21st century. The vibe is modern-meets-Cape Cod, with subway-tiled bathrooms, metal bed frames, and the occasional antique.
Food and drink
Breakfast for overnight guests is a grab-and-go affair, with a tidy offering of breakfast bars, fruit, and coffee laid out each morning. Gifford House also offers discounts for several local breakfast restaurants.
The neighborhood/area
The hotel sits on top of a hill and is the tallest building at the tallest point of the town. For that reason, all rooms have either a harbor view or scenic town views. Everything is within walking (or biking) distance.
The service
White-gloved, reverential, call you 'Mr.' service, this is not. But Gifford House offers valuable service in a different way: true insider knowledge about where to go and what to do in Provincetown. During the day, hotel staff also double as bartenders. The person who checks you in might also pour you a screwdriver when you get back from the beach. When you're here, you're instantly treated as a friend.
Spa?
While no spa currently exists, there are plans to add one in 2026 to the building's upper side deck for casual treatments.
Accessibility?
The team is working to make the premises as accessible as possible, given their historic nature. In the last year, the outdoor 'Yard' and the nightclub have become fully accessible. The theatrical speakeasy is partially accessible, and they're in the process of converting two guest rooms to become accessible.
Anything left to mention?
The overall atmosphere definitely skews toward loud, upbeat, and party-positive in the peak summer months, but Gifford House cares deeply that its overnight guests have a warm welcome to Provincetown. A serene seaside respite? Probably not. Maybe in shoulder season. But as Azar puts it, 'When you're here, you actually become a part of our town.'
