On this prepossessing New England island, every building appears as though it were created expressly for a storybook, and the hotels, inns, and bed-and-breakfasts are no exception. From quaint shingled cottages to sprawling clapboard guesthouses, each one has a personality all its own. The Nantucket air is fragrant with the scent of roses and a salty tang that reminds visitors that the pristine beach is just steps away, below the bluff and past the dunes.
Above: The Wauwinet hotel blends an idyllic, traditional New England setting with luxury amenities.
Thirty miles off the coast of Cape Cod is a place where time seems to stand still. From its cobblestone streets to the silvery cedar-shingled houses and archetypal lighthouses, the Old-World charm of Nantucket seems endless. With no stoplights and very few cars, today’s island still resembles the one Herman Melville described 150 years ago in his classic novel Moby-Dick: “Nantucket! Take out your map and look at it. See what a real corner of the world it occupies; how it stands there, away off shore…” The insular 3½- by 14-mile island offers a slow-paced, quiet escape from everyday life, and the inns there echo the local standard of relaxation and charm.
Above right: Set in the historic and enchanting Siasconset village, the beautiful Summer House Cottages are decorated in classic English-cottage style.
The White Elephant hotel was originally an assemblage of old houses and buildings that Nantucket resident Elizabeth Temple Ludwig began acquiring in 1917 on a prime spot near the beach. She dreamed of transforming the property into a harborside hotel, but friends did not share her vision and jokingly referred to the structure as an “unattractive white elephant of a building.” Thus, the unofficial name stuck. In the 1960s, the property was renovated and eventually evolved into a spacious inn with fifty-three light-filled guest rooms and suites, most with working fireplaces and water views, as well as eleven garden cottages.
Above: Thoughtful touches at the White Elephant hotel, such as harbor-view wicker chairs for lounging and nightly turn-down service that includes a box of chocolates, let guests know that their comfort is of utmost importance. Hedges brimming with colorful flowers, perfectly manicured lawns, and hydrangea bushes with melon-size blooms surround the inn with color and life.
At The Wauwinet, guest rooms and three beachside cottages are individually decorated with antique pine, cheery chintz, Pratesi 400-thread-count bed linens, and an abundance of fresh Nantucket wildflowers. Although the furnishings and amenities are grand, the atmosphere of the inn is comfortable and relaxed. Guests can enjoy two private beaches; kayaks, sailboats, and bicycles; freshly squeezed lemonade served daily in the library; and even fleece blankets at the ready for comfortable sunset viewing on chilly evenings.
Offering a true refuge from the hectic pace of modern life, Nantucket is a summer-perfect destination, and the inns there impart a taste of years past, peaceful relaxation, and characteristic island charm.
Text Kate Sears
“The Charming Inns of Nantucket” can be found on page 40 of the May/June 2009 issue of Victoria.