Minding Your Business- The Queen Anne Inn

There is something exceptionally welcoming and warm the moment you walk through the doors of the Queen Anne Inn in Chatham, and much of that has to do with its beloved innkeepers, Guenther and Dana Weinkopf.

The story of the inn dates back long before Austrian-born hotelier Guenther Weinkopf purchased the property in 1979. The property was built by the Taylor family in the mid-1800s. They were among the first business people to promote Chatham and the Lower Cape as a vacation destination. The Taylors sold the inn to the Swan family after World War I, and they ran the property with their children for decades. With Guenther Weinkopf’s purchase of the inn, he was able to restore much of the Victorian charm back to the stunning property, and many of the property’s original art and antiques can still be found there. 

Guenther and Dana pride themselves on a lifetime of running the Queen Anne Inn as a "family-run, family-loved” establishment which keeps folks coming back again and again.  

“We’ve had close to 4,000 repeat guests over the years,” Dana said. “We have a lot of pride in what we do for our guests and the town of Chatham. It’s all about personal service, because if a guest gets a tremendous amount of personal service, it will benefit the town, the shops. ”

The inn is nestled on a picture-perfect Chatham street and is the perfect blend of Victorian charm and tranquility. It boasts several room types, with several overlooking the tranquil pool area tucked away in the back. Some rooms feature fireplaces and some have balconies, but all of them feature modern amenities with cozy furnishings. The property is known for being a fantastic destination for gatherings as well, which is perfect for regular guests visiting Chatham and all types of parties.

Dana said, “We do a lot of family reunions here and lots of private parties. We will have garden parties, welcome parties, anniversary parties, family reunions — you name it.” 

One of the most magnificent parts of the Queen Anne Inn, aside from its breathtaking gardens and outdoor spaces, is the restaurant Domaine Queen Anne. Here, breakfast is served in the garden room, and there is also a bar lounge. Both dinner and breakfast are open to the public, not just hotel guests.

Chef Corey Grothe is at the helm at Domaine Queen Anne. Originally from the midwest, Chef Gothe was trained in the French Alps and refined his culinary skills in the kitchen from New Orleans to Cape Cod, creating an incredible menu at the Queen Anne Inn. 

“Corey has wonderful Southern exposure and spent time in France, so he has beautiful sauces. He can work with any kind of dietary restriction, too,” Dana said.

Popular appetizers include oysters, tuna crudo, and a beetroot and gin cured salmon. The shrimp bisque is Creole style and drizzled with Calabrian oil and topped with chili crisps. There is a delicious charcuterie offering and pain et beurre, which is a warm sourdough baguette with house-made honey butter. 

On the entree side of the menu, Chef Grothe has some delicious elevated items including a pan-seared halibut, a 16 oz. ribeye with roasted bone marrow, and medallions of duck breast over a bed of braised swiss chard and duck fat rendered potatoes. New Orleans bread pudding, cheesecake, mousse and German chocolate espresso cake round out this special menu. Reservations are always recommended at Domaine Queen Anne for dinner. 

When I asked a lovely couple in the lobby what kept them coming back to stay at the Queen Anne Inn for the past 21 years, the woman gently smiled and pointed to Dana, saying, “She does. Dana is the reason we return year after year.”

Be sure to stop in and say hello to Dana before enjoying a fabulous dinner at the inn or a cocktail in the lounge!

The Queen Anne Inn

70 Queen Anne Rd., Chatham

queenanneinn.com

1-800-545-4667