InnStyle

by Benjamin M. Ellis

Far from your typical rustic lodge, the Chatham Bars Inn is an elegant luxury destination and a local staple, built in true Cape Cod-style.

Originating as a semi-private hunting lodge in 1914, the distinguished Chatham Bars Inn is a Cape Cod landmark and a well-known tourist attraction. Far from your typical rustic lodge, the Chatham Bars Inn is an elegant luxury destination and a local staple. Built in true Cape Cod-style architecture, the Chatham Bars Inn is nestled near the heart of Chatham, Massachusetts, on 25 scenic acres overlooking the majestic Pleasant Bay. This awardwinning resort is well known for its world-famous hospitality; the staff will accommodate any guest requests with a smile. The property has an impressive 217 guest rooms and offers 10 stately cottages with sweeping water views. Each guestroom and cottage is uniquely designed with seafaring decor and nautical paintings, antique-style turned-leg furnishings from the early 1900s, and upholstered wingback chairs. The impressive grand lobby is encompassed with dark mahogany wood and has a vast spiral staircase, with an oversized great chair on the top landing that serves as the perfect photo op.

Treat yourself to a day of luxury and relaxation at the world-renowned The Spa at Chathams Bars Inn. The Spa has individual massage treatment rooms and couples treatment rooms, your choice. They offer facials and massages of the hot stone, deep tissue, or sports variety that caters to your particular needs and will leave you in a state of tranquility. Guests are granted access to the sauna, shower room, hot tub, and fireplace with any spa service. The Spa also offers aromatherapy and ayurvedic treatments as well as an entire line of lotions and oils for purchase.

Throwing a private party or wedding? The Chatham Bars Inn is the perfect locale for the wedding destination of your dream. With its famous grand, oceanside staircase and its impeccably landscaped grounds, it offers the perfect backdrop for wedding photos. Only looking to plan dinner? Reserve the elegant Captain’s Dining Room for a more intimate meal with friends and loved ones that accommodates up to 18 guests at the captain’s table. Planning a family getaway? The Chatham Bars Inn is an idyllic family vacation retreat with a quarter-mile of private beach and an impressive oceanfront swimming pool. It will be hard to pull the kids out of the water. Some of the amenities that are offered include private charters to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, ondemand complimentary CBI Lexus available for your sightseeing trips, and for the golf enthusiast, it is only a quick 3-minute walk to the neighboring and famed Chatham Seaside Links Golf course.

At The Sacred Cod, Executive Chef Anthony Cole serves up traditional New England and local seafood fare with his own twist. Serving up culinary delights such as crispy Point Judith calamari, local Chatham oysters (harvested less than 5 minutes away), Gioia burrata, Prime Steak Frites, and the delectable lobster roll; these are just a few favorites of both guests and locals. The sophisticated yet rustic Sacred Cod has an extensive craft beer menu and offers a creative cocktails menu to enhance the mood. All vegetables used at Sacred Cod are locally grown at the Chatham Bars Inn Farm in nearby Brewster, Mass. Chatham Bars Inn Farm is a self-sustainable farm that grows fruits and vegetables for the resort and its two restaurants. The 8-acre farm produces over 100,000 pounds and 125 different varieties of vegetables each year using traditional, but more importantly, innovative hydroponics farming techniques. Farm Manager Joshua Schiff is leading the way, pioneering self-sustainable farming, while teaching other local farms how to increase their crop yields and produce more produce (pardon the play on words). The Farm Stand serves the community selling locally grown produce to the public. The breathtaking property can also be leased for private parties or weddings and features a long rustic table underneath twinkle lights wrapped trellis, surrounded by flower fields, truly a perfect location for any event.

The Chatham Bars Inn is a historic and iconic Cape Cod destination, offering magnificent views, endless amenities, and unmatched personal service. This resort is a must for the well-traveled Nobleman.

by Rachael Hogg

Throughout their history, Bentleys have always been legendary. From the Bentley Boys, Blower Bentleys, and 4½ Litres to today’s incredible Continental GT and Flying Spur, Bentleys are cars that have always been at the top of, well, just about everything in the motoring world.

It’s often said there’s no point discussing how a car looks, because beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But there can’t be a single car-loving soul out there who wouldn’t say the Bentley R-Type Continental is one of the most beautiful vehicles ever made.

Look at it. It’s a stunning, elegant piece of art; the work of designer John Blatchley and engineer Ivan Evernden, who were both Rolls-Royce alumni (it shows a little, right?).

It’s not all about the looks, though; even we can admit that. The Bentley R-Type Continental can hit 115 mph and cruise happily at 100 mph with four occupants plus luggage. It was built in 1952. Let that sink in a minute. There weren’t many cars around at that time that could achieve anything approaching those impressive figures.

Apparently, that speed wasn’t enough, however, and Evernden thought more could have been achieved, estimating the car could have hit 120 mph. In 1962 he wrote: “Much more could have been done…but the purpose of the exercise was to reduce the aero drag of a conventional car and not to make a space capsule for an astronaut.”

Firmly back down on Earth, coachbuilders Mulliner set to work on creating the new coupé, with weight saving the name of the game. The bodywork is aluminum, along with the window frames, windscreen surround, backlight, seat frames, and bumpers. Naturally, to keep the weight down, a radio was considered superfluous. But you don’t need music ruining the majestic sound of the car’s engine running.

When the R-Type Continental originally went on the market — after Evernden eventually persuaded Bentley it wasn’t “too sporty” — it cost $8,193 (£6,928), making it the most expensive car on sale in 1952. For a bit of context, the average U.S. salary was $2,300, and the average house cost $7,254. Orders came in from all over the world.

It was in production for just three short years, and only 208 were made. All but 15 were bodied by Mulliner.

What’s it like to drive a Bentley R-Type Continental?

The car we got behind the wheel of is now worth around $1.2 million. Literally getting behind the wheel of such a thing is a task in itself. The vehicle may be 17’2’’ long, but it’s a bit of a squeeze to get in. It turns out people had smaller thighs in the 1950s.

Most of the cars produced were right-hand drive — including the one we drove — although 43 left-handdrive models were created for use abroad. You have to maneuver yourself past the floor-mounted gear lever down to the right of the driver seat, not in the middle, and attempt to wrangle yourself underneath the humongous steering wheel. The seats are not adjustable, and, of course, there are no seat belts.

Sitting pretty in the sofa-like seat, you’re faced with a beautiful piece of walnut with a few large and small dials. The handbrake is a lever, down to the right of the dash, which is not particularly easy to operate. While there is a tiny key to get into this huge car, you push a button to start the engine.

Setting off, a bit of panic kicked in, as we realized there’s no synchro in first gear, and the clutch biting point is incredibly close to the top of the pedal’s travel. It was to be an interesting ride.

However, we were not alone. We were accompanied by the delightfully calm Keith, who looks after Bentley’s heritage fleet. When he’s not casually driving around in the R-Type Continental, he’s often found piloting the Bentley Blower, which is worth around $35m.

Despite the R-Type Continental having a 4.6-liter straight six engine and 153 bhp output, we weren’t going to push it to its limits — or anywhere close. Steering the R-Type Continental is...a bit of a guesstimate. It feels like you’re driving in an old movie — you know when an actor is driving in a straight line and wildly moving the steering wheel around? But it was also heavy, and slow.

Picking up the pace (to an earthshattering 27 mph) almost felt less daunting. Changing gear is a delicate affair too, and, of course, you have to remember the gear lever is down to the right so you’re not grappling around and accidentally touching your passenger’s knee.

After a couple miles, we eventually piloted the beautiful boat up the magnificent driveway of Castle Ashby House, the ancestral home of the 7th Marquess of Northampton. It was pretty special, winding up the extensive path in what felt like the most perfect motor for the moment.

If you’re thinking about adding a rare Bentley R-Type Continental to your collection, it could never be a daily driver. This is a very-special-occasion car, to be sampled from time to time, enjoyed always, and marveled at every day. It truly is a piece of automotive art anyone would be lucky to own.