Martha's Vineyard
Where To Stay

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The island has a variety of lodging options, from hotels and inns to cottages and bed and breakfasts. Like most seasonal resorts, some lodgings are not open year round, and rates vary with the season.

Edgartown

This picturesque town, built with whaling money, is a very popular place to vacation since beaches, shops, restaurants, and boat rentals are all within walking distance. Several of Edgartown's finest inns are in homes of historic interest. These include the Edgartown Inn, built in 1708 as the residence of Captain Thomas Worth.

The Victorian Inn, once the home of whaling captain Lafayette Rowley, is decorated with antiques and offers a complimentary full breakfast as well as afternoon tea. Hob Knob Inn, offers a compact health spa with sauna, massage, and exercise room, and boasts John F. Kennedy as a past guest. The Inn at 148 Main Street, was built in the 1840s by whaling captain Ichabod Norton. Despite being the "gateway to downtown Edgartown for 150 years" it has such modern amenities as Jacuzzis, private decks and high ceilings.

Edgartown also has a few newer and larger hotels, including the 34-room Edgartown Heritage Hotel, part of the Clarion chain, and the 43-room Colonial Inn, in the heart of town overlooking the harbor.

Oak Bluffs

Oak Bluffs began as a Methodist camp meeting in 1835, when tents housed worshipers and services were held outside. The camp meetings grew in popularity and the site eventually became a permanent summer resort. Oak Bluffs now bustles year-round. Island Inn is a motel complex overlooking a golf course and Nantucket Sound with tennis courts, a pool and restaurant.

Vinyard Haven

Vineyard Harbor Motel offers pleasant accommodations with a wonderful view of the harbor, and is close to the village center and the ferry—Vinyard Haven is another terminus for mainland ferries. The Captain Dexter House has the romantic ambiance of long ago and dates to the 1840s. It features homemade breakfast and rooms with four-poster and lace canopy beds.

Thorncroft Inn also features four-poster beds and antique furniture, but includes an optional breakfast in bed, as well as afternoon tea. This quiet getaway is located a mile from the harbor on 3.5 acres of secluded grounds. Martha's Place is a stately, Greek-revival homestead with elegant rooms, period antiques and Oriental carpets. Crocker House Inn has an elegant but casual atmosphere. Close to the ferry, shopping, and fine restaurants, it is an inn for all seasons.

Aquinnah

Outermost Inn has seven rooms with private baths. A special feature is availability of day sails to Cuttyhunk Island captained by the proprietor Hugh Taylor (singer James Taylor's brother). Breakfast is included and dinner is served to outsiders by reservation Thursdays to Sundays. It is a short walk to the beach and the concession stands at Gay Head Cliffs. Duck Inn is in a seaman's house with breathtaking views of the Atlantic. Its informal living room, dining room and kitchen are all in one room. It offers full breakfasts, provides beach lunches and caters clambakes.

Chilmark and Menemsha

Private transportation is a must here also, since beaches, grocery stores and restaurants are a good distance away from the village hub. The Inn at Blueberry Hill has 25 rooms in the main building as well as three cottages, surrounded by rolling fields, ancient apple trees, and of course, blueberries. A continental breakfast is served as well as lunch and dinner, with menus changed daily.

The fishermen's colorful boathouses of this last true fishing village on the island seem to cry out for photos to be taken. Menemsha Inn and Cottages have marvelous views of Vineyard Sound. The Inn has suites and rooms, while the cottages (with fireplaces) stretch along meadows to the beach. Beach Plum Inn, which is known for its gourmet food, is perched on a bluff overlooking Vineyard Sound. Guests are lodged in the main house and in four nearby cottages, available by the week.