We thought we'd stay at Chatham Bars Inn (Cape Cod) over Christmas this year, tho we'd stayed there years ago during summers before purchasing a property on Cape Cod. We can recommend this resort highly, with the caveat that it's pricey - but worth it for those who can afford the cost.
Our Christmas stay was cozy and a good choice as to location. Daytime we sat reading by an "open fire" in their oversized lounge, with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree to one side. In fact the main building was decorated throughout, with many photo ops, including their sizable wooden models of historic 19th century ships encased in large, standing glass displays. One guest was a concert level pianist who studied at Julliard and had toured internationally. Periodically during the afternoon of Christmas eve he entertained us at the lounge piano with Chopin - his specialty.
Christmas dinner, which should be booked in advance, is literally a feast. A prix fixe meal with turkey, ham, and steak carving boards, many chafing dishes, an incredible raw bar which could supply a meal in itself (caviar, lobster along with the usual shrimp, oysters, clams and more), along with a huge variety of breads - and tables piled on with multiple and varied Christmas desserts - will satisfy the most voracious appetite.
The view from the long veranda at dawn was spectacular during our stay - we really lucked out. Among the photos below is one which Homer must have had in mind when he wrote of the "rosy-fingered dawn". It was taken shortly before 7am on Christmas day.
So don't rule out a winter visit to Chatham Bars, and definitely consider time for the summer, too. The beach is wonderful, and especially consider taking the service boat out to the sand bar. We loved the experience, especially sinking our overtaxed feet deep into squishy sand. You can bring over beach chairs and read, or just stare ahead into the Atlantic Ocean. One piece of advice, though, from a local. If you're a beach person, the safest time to book a Cape Cod vacation is early July to mid-August. June can be overly cool and not beach-friendly, and it usually starts to get cooler a couple of weeks into August. On the other hand, that's the peak tourist season, and things get crowded if you plan to tour the wider Cape. So be aware that fall is also a lovely time to visit the Cape. The crowds are gone, and if it's peace you seek you could do a lot worse than visit in September or October.