Summercamp in Oak Bluffs | Favorite Martha’s Vineyard Hotels
Photo Credit : Courtesy of Summercamp/Lark Hotels
Over the past several decades, Martha’s Vineyard has become a summer playground for politicians (the Obamas and Clintons) and celebrities (is that Larry David?). But it also continues to be a destination for the rest of us. Ready for an island getaway and wondering where to find the best places to stay on Martha’s Vineyard? Read on for a selection of our favorite Martha’s Vineyard hotels, inns, and B&Bs.
Summercamp in Oak Bluffs | Favorite Martha’s Vineyard Hotels Photo Credit : Courtesy of Summercamp/Lark Hotels
A sunrise over busy Edgartown Harbor and its charming lighthouse is quite a sight to be seen from the Harbor View Hotel’s large wraparound porch. The hotel occupies almost an entire block with its huge main building, dining areas, luxury cottages, and amenities such as the heated outdoor pool and gym. The Harbor View Hotel is just a short walk from the main streets of Edgartown, where you’ll find restaurants, galleries, and shops galore.
Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown | Favorite Martha’s Vineyard Hotels Photo Credit : Alison Shaw
No detail is overlooked in this, Edgartown’s enclave of Edwardian stateliness. Framed with gardens, fountains, and sculpture, the inn’s interior is pure English country fantasy. Understated luxury pervades, from the library’s leather club chairs and pastoral oil paintings to the suites’ Frette linens and impeccable period furniture. If you ever manage to leave your room, the inn’s restaurant serves beautiful food (local lobster with saffron sherry sauce, for one) that’s as magical as the rest of the place.
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Mansion House is conveniently located right at the end of Vineyard Haven’s lively Main Street, where restaurants and boutiques abound. Fantastic eateries and shops are just minutes away, as is the Vineyard Haven ferry. The inn’s rooms are clean and colorful, and some of them even feature balconies and fireplaces. Mansion House also boasts a spa and health club, making the decision to escape to the Vineyard for a weekend even easier.
Mansion House in Vineyard Haven | Favorite Martha’s Vineyard Hotels Photo Credit : Wayne Smith
Longtime Vineyard visitors will know that this hotel was formerly called the Doctor’s House B&B. But in January 2016, veteran inn owners Annabelle and Simon Hunton bought the property, and four months later they reopened the renovated the 108-year-old building under a new name, Nobnocket Boutique Inn. The new look includes a fresh palette of Vineyard-specific colors (blues, tans, and whites) and soaking tubs, while many of the old B&B charms (guest room fireplaces and delicious breakfasts) remain.
The Nobnocket Boutique Inn in Vineyard Haven | Favorite Martha’s Vineyard Hotels Photo Credit : Conor Doherty
Walk out of the courtyard of this 40-room motel and you’ll find yourself on a private beach. Every simply decorated room has a refrigerator, and several feature full kitchens. The Steamship Authority ferry dock is a 10-minute walk away, even if you’re rolling a suitcase. Plus, this was named a 2015 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Harborfront Motel.”
With its white fence and colorful roses, this sturdy home from the early 18th century looks as though it were built for this spot. In fact, it was moved from one end of the island to the other almost two centuries ago. Two of the six comfortable, traditionally furnished rooms have shared baths. Located within walking distance of town, the 1720 House was named a 2014 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Historic B&B.”
This longtime Vineyard favorite has been in continuous operation since 1789. Purchased by the Lark Hotel group in late 2015 and opened the following spring under its current name, this 95-room, five-story establishment has a beautiful boutique feel, with a palette of summery colors like yellow, teal, mint, and blue. Complimentary iPads are offered, and the game room is a must-visit for families.
Summercamp in Oak Bluffs | Favorite Martha’s Vineyard Hotels Photo Credit : Courtesy of Summercamp/Lark Hotels
Yes, there is an Isabelle, and she owns the place. And if you time your visit right, she’ll make her famous waffles for the centerpiece of your breakfast. An easy walk from the ferry terminal, Isabelle’s sits across the street from Joseph Sylvia State Beach. It’s a toss-up whether you’ll wake to the sound of light surf or the tantalizing aroma of muffins baking in the kitchen. Each bright room has a small refrigerator. Isabelle’s was named a 2016 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Beach Access.”
Isabelle’s Beach House in Oak Bluffs | Favorite Martha’s Vineyard Hotels Photo Credit : Ginny Newton
Pleasantly renovated in bright and airy Vineyard style, the Dockside’s 21 rooms are steps from the harbor and close to the gingerbread cottages of the camp meeting grounds. The Dockside was named a 2013 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Harborfront Hotel.”
Dockside Inn in Oak Bluffs | Favorite Martha’s Vineyard Hotels Photo Credit : Dockside
Its location atop the beautiful Aquinnah cliffs gives the Outermost Inn unrivaled and uninterrupted views of the Vineyard Sound and Elizabeth Islands. The rooms are spacious and — thanks to large windows and a colorful palette — bright and welcoming. The inn’s intimate restaurant gets rave reviews and, unsurprisingly, requires reservations made well in advance. In the summer, enjoy a breathtaking sunset while relaxing in an Adirondack chair on the inn’s private lawn.
The Outermost Inn in Aquinnah | Favorite Martha’s Vineyard Hotels Photo Credit : Chris Laursen
What draws so many to this gorgeous little inn with just 11 rooms overlooking Menemsha Harbor on Martha’s Vineyard is what it doesn’t have. That would be cell service. Other highlights: private patios, cozy hammocks, country-French decor and a stunning destination restaurant.
The Beach Plum Inn in Menemsha | Martha’s Vineyard Hotels Photo Credit : Courtesy The Beach Plum Inn
Which Martha’s Vineyard hotels, inns, and B&Bs are your favorites?
This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated.
