Where to Stay

Nantucket is a seaside haven with ideal accommodations for any occasion: a romantic celebration, family vacation, corporate retreat, special event or just a weekend getaway. However, Nantucket is not the place to come if you want to stay in a chain hotel or high-rise; they have yet to find their way to the Island. Most lodging can be found in Nantucket Town.

Accommodations on Nantucket are extremely limited: there are approximately 1200 beds available in high season, and 40,000 visitors make their way to the island on a busy summer day. Translation: reserve early! Sure, the spontaneous traveler may find a last minute cancellation, but you are much better advised to plan your trip to Nantucket thoughtfully, making ferry, dinner, and hotel reservations ahead of time.

Nantucket Town

Bed and breakfasts are plentiful in Nantucket Town, with choices like the Martin House Inn, the Anchor Inn and the Ivy Lodge Bed and Breakfast all at the top of the list in terms of quality and comfort. Also look into some of the many unique hotels, like the White Elephant Hotel Residences, which is over a century old and offers guest townhouse style lodging. The views from the hilltop Cliff Lodge are stunning, while the Ships Inn offers the historic appeal of being the home of a former abolitionist.

With such a limited number of guest accommodations, standard deposit and cancellation policies are strictly adhered to. Certain weekends, and especially in peak season, minimum stays are required, usually three days. Generally, if canceling a reservation is necessary, deposits (less 10% service fee) will be refunded up to 15 days prior to scheduled arrival. On shorter notice, deposits may not be fully refunded if the room cannot be re-booked for the entire canceled period. Be sure to clarify rates and deposit/cancellation policies with your innkeeper. It is also a good idea to make sure your needs are being met: while many lodging establishments have individual air conditioning units, refrigerators, private baths, cable TV or working fireplaces, just as many do not. (Visit the Nantucket Lodging Association's Web site, www.nantucketlodging.org, for a description of general policies, for assistance in finding a room, as well as for last-minute room availability).

To hone in on the perfect setting for your trip, ask the following questions: Do you want to be in the center of town, off the beaten path or overlooking the water? Do you want a luxurious, full-service resort with a pool, or an intimate old Nantucket home? Are you looking for an inn that includes breakfast, or would you rather feast on the delicious treats served in town? If you have trouble making up your mind, it might make you feel better to know that it is not uncommon for visitors to split their time between two inns.

When considering B&Bs, remember that they are more than just places to rest your head. They can be sources of entertainment and comfort on chilly, rainy or foggy days—not uncommon on the island nicknamed the Grey Lady. Your Inn can be where you end up spending most of your island time—sitting in front of the fire in the common room or your room, or hanging out in a library filled with books and games. Most Island B&B proprietors have a well-earned reputation for hospitality. They are a valuable source of information for what to do, where to eat, and how to get from point A to point B.

Rates are highest and the island is most crowded in-season, from mid-June to mid-September, plus Christmas Stroll, the first weekend in December. Mid-season is mid-May to mid-June, when properties are just reopening, and shoulder season, or off-season, runs from late fall to early spring. Many inns close in the off season, but you can also find excellent bargains including package deals complete with room, transportation, and meals.

Although many frequent visitors to Nantucket always return to the same lodgings, half the fun is exploring a new inn or bed & breakfast, and getting a view of the Island from a different location and owners' perspective. The personal service, idyllic scenery, proximity of most properties to Nantucket town and charm of the island ensure that anywhere you choose to stay will enhance your Island experience.

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