Feel Like Royalty at P-Town's Queen Vic Guest House

"Whenever we left, we felt we were leaving part of us behind - and returning felt like home," says Stan Cottner of the five years he and his partner, Josh Scaturro, spent visiting Provincetown before purchasing the Queen Vic Guest House. The couple had first experienced Provincetown at the peak of Bear Week and instantly fell in love with the sense of community and celebratory atmosphere. "People are genuinely happy and friendly. I've never seen a fight on the streets. It's just a special place."

The couple, who have been together for 22 years, spent most of their lives in Key West, where they worked for a number of notable guest houses before harnessing their talents to create Reliable Cleaning, Inc., which grew to become the city's premier cleaning company due to its reliable and exceptional service.

"Like P-Town, Key West is a small town, and when kids reach 18, they're ready to see what else is out there," says Cottner. "We moved there in our 20s, woke up one day and said it's time to see what else is out there."

"When we started planning, there were for four different properties. We found out that this one was on the market and started the process," says Cottner. "We went back to Key West and sold our house at the first showing." They pulled into Provincetown to set up permanent residence in December 2014 and closed on the property the very next day.

Queen For a Day (and Night)

The historical landmark was formally part of the Prince Albert Guest House and originally served as a sea captain's home when the town was a thriving fishing village. Its prime location offers nearby beach access and is kitty-corner to the Boatslip Resort, which hosts Provincetown's notorious afternoon tea. In true royal fashion, Cottner says guests like to "hold court" and watch the never-ending parade of passers-by.

Cottner and Scaturro didn't need to do much structurally to the sturdy old house, but their years of experience paid off when it came to revamping the guest house's style to create their own coastal "steampunk" aesthetic. They have reimagined the three-floor property in lighter tones of gray and incorporated crisp, white linens and curtains to create a more airy, modern environment, while still retaining some of the historical furnishings that give the Queen Vic its unique character.

Guests will feel like royalty amid the Queen Vic's lush accommodations and daily breakfast, featuring fresh fruit and homemade Belgian waffles. It's the perfect sustenance before taking in the plentiful local attractions. While there is plenty to experience along Commercial Street (leave extra room in your suitcase for souvenirs or a collectible piece of art), Cottner's insider tip for the quintessential P-Town experience is a beach bonfire. A limited number of daily permits are issued, and reservations can be made up to three days in advance. And while the couple will freely share their favorite spots to set up camp, fear not - for as Cottner says, "Everywhere you turn is a postcard."

The Queen Vic Guest House
166 Commercial Street
508-487-8425
www.queenvicptown.com