You might’ve heard somewhere that you should only eat oysters during months containing the letter “R” (i.e., September through April). It turns out there’s little credence to the ancient “R” rule, however, thanks to year-round farming and modern refrigeration. I’m no scientist, but I’d have to agree—there’s simply nothing better than grabbing a waterfront table on summer vacation, angling your face towards the sun’s warm rays, and throwing back some oysters on the half shell. And at several coastal hotels across the country, it’s not enough to just slurp the oyster—through on-site experiences, guests are getting to know the bivalve’s entire life story through farm visits, shucking lessons, and tastings.
It makes sense why they’re being put on a pedestal: Oysters convey a sense of place, or, as marine specialists like to say, “merroir.” Chesapeake Bay oysters are mild, sweet, and buttery, while Long Island oysters are crisp and briny; over in the Lowcountry, they’re roasted over an open fire. The presence of the shellfish is also incredibly beneficial to the surrounding waters, acting as natural purifiers. Whether you’re ready to step into the boots of an oyster farmer and surround yourself with all things aquaculture or are simply eager to get the freshest of fresh oysters straight to the face, the six hotels below need to be on your radar this summer.
Location: Harwich, Massachusetts
Located along the shores of Cape Cod’s Pleasant Bay, Wequassett Resort & Golf Club takes its oysters very seriously, and you’ll find them dotted across the menus of the property’s five dining concepts. To really understand how the oyster gets from “spawn to table,” book the hotel’s Coastal Hatchery Tour, which takes guests to ARC Hatchery, the largest hatchery in Massachusetts and the longest-running facility of its kind on the East Coast. From the salt flats of Chapin Beach, you’ll get to see the various life stages of an oyster (plus a few other shellfish) starting from the seed, and gain a better understanding of how they’re sorted, measured, and graded. This summer, the resort is partnering with the Mass Oyster Project to install an oyster upweller, allowing guests (including kids participating in the resort’s Adventure Club) to learn about oyster cultivation and the role shellfish play in restoring coastal ecosystems.
