rugosa

The Rugosa is a gorgeous, 10 room boutique guest house with a beautiful, private back yard, gardens, and sunny patio seating area. This eclectic property has undergone many transformations in recent years under fresh, new management. Entirely redecorated, this traditional, antique New England home has been transformed with colorful paintings, folk art, found objects and houseplants. 

 

Originally built on Billingsgate Island in Wellfleet, in 1751 and, the antique side of the Rugosa was floated a century later to its present location in North Eastham.

 

The original owner was Captain Isaiah H. Horton, a direct descendant of Constance Hopkins who traveled to the "New World" on the Mayflower. Her father was one of the 41 passengers to sign the Mayflower Compact in 1620.

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The Rugosa was a family residence until the Penney Family turned it into a hotel in the 1980's. Known as the "Penny House" for many years, it was renamed to the Rugosa under new management by young entrepreneur Joey Rugo in 2019. It has been restored and gone through multiple updates to retain the original atmosphere of the house with a recent new touch of beauty and style.

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We are a small family run guest house and sometimes are not available to meet everyone at check-in. If we cannot be here to greet you, we will leave an envelope at the front desk with your room key and directions to your room. We are usually close by for guests checking in, and always available by phone or email. 

 

We have two house dogs, Luna and Rosie. Both are sweet-natured Rottweilers who are known to hang out in the gardens or the lounge and are very good with other dogs and children.