Situated in Rockport, this lovely house for $1,950 per night is a fantastic choice for your next break. This impressive and generously proportioned contemporary residence, situated within walking distance of several local beaches and the Rockport town center, has a spectacular view of the sea and neighboring coastline. The property, designed by Colin Flavin (see www.flavinarchitects.com/residential/gap-head), has even garnered some press attention: it has been featured in both the Boston Globe and North Shore Magazine’s design sections. This fully renovated residence is located on a beautiful expanse of oceanfront land (3/4 of an acre) at Gap Cove in the desirable South End of Rockport. This air-conditioned property has 5 bedrooms (sleeps 12), 4.5 bathrooms and an open plan ground floor with panoramic ocean views extending from the kitchen on one end to the second sitting room on the other side of the house. There is a large dining room containing a custom-built brushed aluminum dining table that seats 12. The dining area transitions into the living room, which is equipped with a wood-burning fireplace and offers comfortable seating in the form of ample sofas, chairs and cushioned banquettes that line the windows. Glass patio doors lead out into the yard, which is separated from the ocean by an exquisite, almost sculptural, golden rockscape. The ground level has a second sitting room, also with panoramic ocean views, that is accessed through a glass corridor. This sitting room has a modular sofa, plenty of reading material and a widescreen TV. The beautiful cedar ceiling rises to give an expansive view of Sandy Bay and its pink and orange sunsets. This second sitting room also features a large porch that overlooks the garden and the ocean below. The ground floor is equipped with a half bath, a laundry room with two washers and one dryer and a mud room. The kitchen is a showstopper: a thoughtfully configured chef’s kitchen with sleek fronts (from the German designer Poggenpohl), extensive Dakota mahogany granite countertops and the extraordinary ocean scene right outside its many windows. The kitchen includes a central island, a large side by side refrigerator, dishwasher, double sink (with garbage disposal), bread drawer, steam oven, regular wall oven, six burner gas stove-top, pantry, high breakfast table with a red lava stone top and seven stools. There is a separate bar area with two Sub Zero undercounter drink drawer fridges and a massive Sub Zero wine refrigerator. Everything you need in exactly the right place to make culinary creativity flourish. The second level is divided by an additional sitting room—with a widescreen surround-sound TV and shelves with children’s games—and a separate full bathroom with a tub. On one side are two bedrooms (one with a single and a trundle bed and one with a double bed). These two rooms are connected with a Jack and Jill bathroom equipped with a shower. On the other side there is the spacious master bedroom suite with a European queen bed, closets, lots of light, high ceilings and ocean views from the Juliet balcony. The bathroom features a walk-in shower with an extra-large rain shower head, a Japanese Toto Washlet toilet and double sinks. Every room on the second floor has a view of the ocean. On the third floor there are two more bedrooms with ocean views: one containing a queen-sized bed and the other containing three single beds plus a trundle bed. This floor contains one large bathroom with a shower. There is an expansive professionally landscaped front yard (street side) with plenty of safe room for children to play. The front yard has an extensive lawn perfect for playing croquet, badminton, volleyball or soccer. It is enclosed by a large hedge to maintain privacy and keep stray balls from entering the road. There are several flower beds, beautiful windswept cherry trees and pines. The garden also contains a raised and fenced vegetable garden. On the ocean side of the garage is an outdoor shower with both warm and cold water for rinsing away the salt and sand from a day at the beach. There is also a propane grill and various types of patio furniture which can be moved into any position the guests desire. The backyard lawn extends along the rocky coastline to the Atlantic Ocean itself and offers endless vistas of the coastline: parades of sailboats, kayaks, paddle boards and lobster boats. You may even see the occasional seal while enjoying the soft summer breeze in the warm evenings. It’s just a short picturesque stroll to the neighborhood Old Garden beach. Swimming from the property is possible, but for athletes only and at your own risk! There are several larger rock and white sand beaches a short drive (about two miles) from the property at Pebble, Cape Hedge, Long and Good Harbor. The quaint and charming town of Rockport—whose claim to fame is Motif Number 1, which is the most often painted building in America—is a fifteen-minute walk from the residence and features a vast assortment of shops, restaurants, art galleries and the internationally known Shalin Lui Performance Center (Rockport Music). In June, Rockport Music hosts a world-renowned chamber music festival. In July and August, the focus is on jazz. Yoyo Ma, Joshua Bell, Wynton Marsalis and Dave Brubeck are just a few of the illustrious musicians that have performed at Rockport Music! If art is your thing, there are numerous galleries: the Rockport Art Association (RAA), the Cape Ann Art Museum in Gloucester, the North Shore Art Association and the Peabody Essex Museum (half an hour away by car) in Salem. The RAA also offers art classes for children and adults. If you like sailing, there is the Sandy Bay Yacht Club which also offers lessons to children and adults. There is the North Shore Kayak Outdoor Center in town where you can rent a kayak or paddle board and visit Straitsmouth or Thatcher’s Island. The Outdoor Center also rents bicycles and pedal boats. Cape Ann is a perfect place for cycling, walking or running. Road cyclists will find some great 25 to 60-mile rides through the neighboring towns of Essex, Ipswich, Magnolia and Hamilton. Play golf at the Rockport Country Club. There are tennis courts one mile from the property at the local high school. Halibut Point State Park offers beautiful walking trails with breathtaking views of the coastline. Drive to Gloucester and go on a whale watch where sightings are guaranteed. Take in a play at the Gloucester Stage. Or just relax, read a book and bask in the view at this beautiful oceanfront property. No smoking and no pets permitted. This property will be available from mid-June through mid-September.