Outfitted in mostly white furnishings accented by the occasional sand-colored dresser, the twenty-seven rooms at 21 Broad foster a beachy vibe and soothing atmosphere. Once a historic inn, 21 Broad has undergone a complete renovation and now features uber-modern amenities. Like 76 Main, 21 Broad has an outdoor courtyard with fire pits, but also offers pampering luxuries like steam and massage rooms, as well as a juice bar serving gluten-free pastries.

Despite its location on Nantucket’s main thoroughfare, 76 Main is far enough removed that it provides a chic retreat from the crowds. With only twenty uniquely appointed rooms, it is a true boutique option, complete with the charms that come with a small property. The outdoor courtyard (complete with fire pits for cool summer nights) provides an attractive gathering space in the evening and the small café serves freshly baked treats. The main building features well-appointed rooms, and the cottage-like guest house rooms out back can accommodate families with one or two children, although the low ceilings can make the otherwise spacious accommodations feel a bit tight. For the ultimate preppy Nantucket experience, guests can rent the Vineyard Vines suite, designed in conjunction with the brand’s owners to feel like an authentic but chic beach house. If you’re visiting the island for great shopping and dining, the location is unbeatable, and the design-conscious will appreciate their modern take on Nantucket’s nautical theme.

Opened in 2012, the Inn at White Elephant Village is located in the newly renovated historic Harbor House, and connected to the Residences at the White Elephant. Guests have access to the Brant Point Grill and all other facilities at the White Elephant, as well as the outdoor heated pool at the Residences. Housing just 20 rooms on three floors (14 suites and 6 luxury rooms), the Inn offers another a third option for White Elephant guests who may not be keen the traditional feel of the White Elephant Hotel or the apartment style of the Residences.

Islander Kathleen Hays decorated the room interiors in natural tones of browns and beiges. The high-ceiling beamed lobby is stark and enormous, with a seating area around a huge fireplace that dominates the well-manicured space. The Presidential suite on the third floor is the most spectacular of the accommodations; it is the only suite with its own balcony, and is worth upgrading for.

Indagare Members can contact our Bookings Team to select a rental that is suitable to their individual needs. With access to one-, two- and three-bedroom cottages complete with full kitchens, laundry rooms and direct beach access, Indagare can arrange a rental experience that feels as independent or hands-on as you’d like.

The Residences at White Elephant Village, which opened as an extension of the grande dame White Elephant Hotel in 2009, offers ideal lodging for a family or a group, with one-, two -, and three-bedroom apartments set in five different structures.

Sporting a modern look with blue and white or red and white décor and airy living rooms, the residences boast a kitchenette, fireplace, washer/dryer and updated electronics. The heated outdoor pool is a hit with guests of all ages, and it is only open to guests of the Residences and newly opened Inn at White Elephant Village. While there is no restaurant or spa, guests can use the White Elephant Hotel’s facilities and the Brant Point Grill offers room service for the property.

Initially intended to be sold for private use, the residences feature luxurious extras (like elegant blue marble bathroom counters and floors) that are rare even in the most high-end hotels. During construction, management decided to market the residences as hotel rooms, but these extra touches were already in place, so the accommodations have an extra-homey feel.

In 2012, the Nantucket Hotel & Resort opened in the place of the historic Point Breeze Hotel, featuring completely refurbished accommodations and a modern design scheme. With just 11 rooms and 26 suites, the hotel did not need to invest so heavily in public spaces and amenities, but the extras go a long way. The lowest floor is all public space, with a Kids Club, game room, laundry facility available to guests and a massive gym with daily classes. The property features two outdoor pools, and a complimentary shuttle service to the nearby beaches.

Accommodations range from simple guest rooms to one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom suites, and almost all are unique. Suites have full kitchenettes and many have in-unit washer/dryers, and carefully designed pullout beds that actually add to the well-thought out accommodations. The service is lovely, and guests with small children will appreciate the hands-on staff. For a small additional fee, the Kids Club will stay open at night for babysitting services and include dinner for the children, so parents can explore the island on their own. Even if they only make it as far as the on-site restaurant, Breeze Bar & Cafe, the casual but chic eatery—with outdoor seating and fire pits—is the perfect setting for a romantic meal.

“An Inn by the Sea” is the simple moniker of this Relais & Châteaux waterfront property, located on Nantucket’s northern sliver of sand, which is framed by the Atlantic Ocean and Nantucket Bay. There’s something refreshingly uncomplicated about this gray-shingled hotel, where check-in feels like arriving in the serenity and comfort of a sophisticated friend’s beach house. The wonderful reception staff greets repeat guests by name, inquires about the kids and recent graduations, and knows which rooms and cocktails are preferred.

No two of the 32 rooms are alike, save for such details as elevated beds, Pratesi linens, flat-screen TVs and, in most, views of the sea. My favorite featured a sloping ceiling and gorgeous ocean vistas. The common spaces feel homey thanks to such touches as bowls of fruit, and the wraparound porch inspires thoughts of finally starting—and finishing—all those novels that have been piling up on your bedside table.

The hotel is a distance from Nantucket town (about 20 minutes with the complimentary shuttle service), so if you’re visiting for the first time or are an avid shopper, you might consider booking at the White Elephant, the Wauwinet’s sister property. Active outdoorsy types, however, will be happy here, since the concierge can arrange everything from kayaking and sailing excursions to surf lessons. Those who prefer to stay on land love the clay tennis courts, nearby golf courses and pampering spa.

Once I was sitting in a lounge chair on the manicured lawn that spills down to one of the Wauwinet’s private beaches, it was difficult to remember why I wanted to join the crowds in town in the first place. It helps that the island’s top-rated restaurant, Topper’s, is on site. And with the addition of Anchorage House, a freestanding three-bedroom beachside cottage, the Wauwinet is great for larger groups that wish to stay outside of town.

The White Elephant, welcoming visitors to Nantucket for more than a century, has several accommodation options to choose from. The original Harborside hotel has 54 rooms, most with views of the bobbing boats docked in the harbor. Most will say a renovation was needed and timed with the 100th anniversary celebration in 2023, White Elephant unveiled a multi-million dollar restoration and renovation of all rooms and cottages for a light and bright feel, with contemporary, Nantucket-inspired artwork. Rooms come with king-size beds and ultra-soft linens and bathrobes. There are fun touches like an elephant symbol stitched into the pillowcases. The larger suites have French doors and plush furnishings, many featuring gas-lit fireplaces and private porches with lovely views.

There are also one to three-bedroom cottages, some featuring kitchenettes, that work well with families traveling together. Each of the 11 cottages takes inspiration from a local plant like Honeysuckle and Snapdragon.

At the spa, treatments include a detoxifying salt polish and an organic algae wrap, and a small but sufficient exercise facility allows gym rats to maintain their routine. The onsite restaurant, Brant Point Grill, is a popular spot for dinner or drinks.

For exteriors, the hotel partnered with Arhaus on lounge furniture–save time to read or nap on a bright blue lounger overlooking the harbor. There are a few complimentary modes of transportation: a shuttle service for within a mile of the property; branded bikes with baskets for cycling into town; or–if available–guests can sign out one of the sleek BMW's to take a longer drive for an hour or two. 

Families love the pool (for adults only from 9 to 10 a.m.) which is located at the Inn, two minutes walk from the main harborside hotel. On busy days, consider reserving a cabana. At the inn, there is another fitness center and 20 room options. There are also two downtown lofts plus one, two and three-bedroom residences for larger family gatherings.

Considering the hotel’s proximity to town, guests are unlikely to spend a lot of time indoors, but after a busy day spent exploring the lively island and beaches, returning to the calm of the White Elephant feels heavenly.