About Us
“You and your staff truly exemplify what it means to show the Cape Cod charm…..”
Sesuit Harbor House History
The main house was built in 1735, back when Route 6A was truly the King’s Highway. When it was built, it was one of largest and grandest homes around (and still is!) and the view to Sesuit Harbor and Shiverick Shipyard was a clear shot across the beautiful Sesuit Creek Marsh. It retains much of its original early colonial grandeur including wood paneling, wide plank wooden floors and 6 fireplaces. Legend has it that the jeweler’s building next door was once part of the house, but two sisters argued and literally split the building down the middle and moved next door.
In the early 1960′s, the stone walls were cleared, the barn converted to small housekeeping apartments, and an eight unit motel was built in the meadow out back. Soon the pool was added, and another building with 3 more rooms built, this time up closer to the road. A few years and a couple of renovations later, nineteen guest rooms made up what was originally called the Sesuit Motel.
The original owners ran the motel for about five years, then Norm and Ruth McKinstry bought it and over thirty years made the motel into the local landmark that it is. When they moved on to retire in New Hampshire, Phyllis and Doug Wood took over and updated quite a bit of the infrastructure and systems. Most recently Kim and Jim have been adding their touch, with new amenities and upgrades focused on their guests’ enjoyment, while maintaining the charming and quaint classic Cape Cod look and feel.
The house now serves as the hub of the resort and is the main reception area for our guests. Enjoy the sunroom or patio with a cup of coffee or a muffin in the morning, iced tea in the afternoon. Browse the lending library of games, cd’s and dvd’s, catch the Red Sox if they’re playing, check email or just sit by the fire with a book. Future plans include a classroom kitchen (stay tuned for more on that!).
A little about your hosts, Kim & Jim Marchand
 Hello and welcome! We’re Kim & Jim Marchand, proud innkeepers of Sesuit Harbor House. We bought the Sesuit in the spring of 2008, having lived on the Cape since 1999, first part time and eventually, like all good “wash-ashores”, we were here full time. We love this slice of paradise and enjoy sharing it with all of you. Kim grew up in Watertown, MA, and has been coming to the Cape since she was a kid. She went to UMass Amherst for her undergrad degree and later to Simmons College where she earned her MBA. Her career in business has included executive level positions in hospitality, non-profits, start-up ventures and professional services. Currently she serves on the board of the Dennis Chamber of Commerce and is Chair of the Protestant Guild for Human Services. Kim is also a proud salt marsh monitor for the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, working twice a month in our very own Sesuit Creek Marsh, monitoring its restoration progress.Jim built his professional career in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. After earning a degree in Literature, he switched gears and went on to graduate top in his class from the Culinary Institute of America. Jim moved to Boston from his hometown of Massapequa, New York and was the head Chef at several top-rated kitchens in Boston, including the revered French restaurant, Maison Robert, where he met Kim who was then the restaurant’s bookkeeper. We married in 1983 at the Brae Burn Country Club in Newton, Massachusetts where Jim was the Executive Chef. Later Jim turned to teaching at Newbury College where he stayed for over 15 years as a Chef Instructor and then Co-Chair of the Culinary Arts Department.
When we have any free time we sneak away to Harborview or Mayflower Beach then head to the Sesuit Harbor Café for a fabulous and fun sunset dinner. In the off-season when not renovating or painting or sewing, we like to travel and check out other hotels, and always include an annual, restful, pilgrimage to gorgeous St. John in the Virgin Islands. |
