Nantucket: Where to Stay: Luxury: White Elephant

White Elephant

Overlooking Nantucket Harbor but tucked away from the bustle of town, the White Elephant has been the upscale hotel of choice for generations of visitors (forty percent of its guests are repeat customers). The luminous fifty-three rooms and eleven cottages, most with views of the bobbing boats docked in the harbor, are done in an understated nautical design scheme that’s both appropriate to the setting and luxurious in its details. Rooms come with king-size beds, flatscreen televisions and ultra-soft organic linens and bathrobes. The larger suites have French doors and plush furnishings; some ground-floor rooms open to small porches. Considering the hotel’s proximity to town, you’re not likely to spend a lot of time indoors, but after a busy day around the hot island, returning to the calm of the White Elephant feels heavenly.

At the new spa, treatments include a wildflower wrap and a pineapple crush body scrub. The Brant Point Grill is a popular spot for dinner or just drinks, especially when the Bob Lehman Trio is performing. If you want to dine in town, ask either of the charming concierges, Jackie Bouchon or Judy Presber, to make a reservation for you at a hot spot like Òran Mór or LoLa 41°, situated down the street. Rooms from $580.

UPDATE: In 2008, the White Elephant unveiled sixty, fully serviced residence, ranging from one- to three-bedroom units. Decor is similar to the breezy, ocean styles found in the hotel, and owners will have access to all the amenities as well.