A 19th-century Victorian building in Edgartown houses this 15-room boutique hotel where mid-century modern furniture and French Caribbean accents have replaced traditional New England décor. The back courtyard's firepit draws guests together after days exploring the island, while a private patio garden offers quieter retreat. Inventive breakfasts fuel morning explorations, and the location sits steps from Main Street.
1 Michelin Key
Gothic Revival architecture from the 19th century houses this 17-room boutique property on Edgartown's edge, where sparkling contemporary interiors meet heritage bones. The on-site spa and manicured gardens provide retreat, while beach cruisers await island exploration. A skilled concierge unlocks insider access to reservations and adventures, and mornings begin with full organic breakfast—ideal for travelers seeking intimacy over anonymity.
Relais & Châteaux
An 1864 captain's house converted into a Relais & Châteaux retreat, The Charlotte Inn fills its Edwardian interiors with antique lamps, silk fabrics, and collected art. A rare digital detox policy bans devices outside guest rooms, reinforcing the property's commitment to unhurried elegance. The flower-filled patio offers iced tea moments steps from Edgartown's galleries and shops—ideal for couples seeking old-world romance without isolation.
1 Michelin Key
Six restored sea captains' homes form this Edgartown landmark, their 58 rooms varying in layout yet unified by a throwback-maritime aesthetic that honors the island's whaling past. The Newes from America pub anchors the dining scene with British-American fare built around pristine local seafood. Between meals, an outdoor pool and garden offer quiet retreat for travelers drawn to New England history with contemporary comforts.
Forbes Five-Star
A shingled Victorian landmark overlooking Edgartown Lighthouse since 1891, this property earned its place in cinema history when Spielberg housed the entire Jaws crew here. The 117 rooms span heritage quarters to the Presidential Skyhouse Wing with its private-keyed suites and full kitchen. Below, a heated saltwater pool offers cabana service with dedicated attendants, while Bettini restaurant showcases island seafood amid reclaimed wood and teal-lacquered walls.
A historic whaling captain's house fused with a sleek contemporary wing gives The Sydney its architectural tension—Colonial Revival bones dressed in bold modern patterns and vivid color. The 22-room property keeps things intimate, with a private garden patio and honesty bar setting an easy rhythm. Downstairs, L'Etoile, helmed by chef Michael Brisson, draws locals and guests alike to its tables.
Dating to 1891, this grande dame of Edgartown occupies prime beachfront on the harbor's eastern shore, yet remains within walking distance of the town's galleries and boutiques. The kitchen earns particular praise, while the dedicated Amity building accommodates families with interconnecting rooms and children's beds. A polished New England retreat balancing heritage character with contemporary ease.
A Colonial-era tavern forms the historic anchor of this Edgartown inn, just sixty seconds from the harbor and surrounded by galleries, boutiques, and waterfront dining. Recent renovations have introduced a fresh boutique aesthetic to the spacious rooms while preserving the building's authentic character. Interconnecting suites and family-friendly amenities make it particularly suited to multigenerational groups exploring Martha's Vineyard.
Birdsong and woodland shade envelop this converted farmhouse on Martha's Vineyard's quieter western shore, with sandy stretches less than a mile away. The farm-to-table restaurant showcases regional ingredients alongside a wine list devoted to distinguished American vintages. Interconnecting rooms and a children's menu make it particularly suited to traveling families seeking pastoral calm without sacrificing culinary polish.
Perched above the ocean in woodland surroundings, this collection of cottages occupies a prime position near Menemsha, the photogenic fishing village on Martha's Vineyard's quieter western shore. Farmland stretches beyond the property, reinforcing the sense of pastoral retreat. Multi-bedroom cottages with full amenities suit families seeking space and privacy, while the unhurried pace appeals to those escaping the island's busier eastern towns.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the ferries run to Martha's Vineyard?
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The Steamship Authority operates year-round service from Woods Hole, with crossings taking approximately 45 minutes. Summer schedules run frequently from early morning until late evening, while winter service is reduced but reliable. Seasonal fast ferries also depart from Hyannis, New Bedford, and Falmouth Harbor between May and October.
What distinguishes each of the six towns on Martha's Vineyard?
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Edgartown anchors the island's historic and social scene with stately homes and upscale shopping. Oak Bluffs draws families with its gingerbread cottages and Flying Horses carousel. Vineyard Haven offers the main commercial port and year-round community. Up-island, West Tisbury hosts the agricultural fair and farmers market, Chilmark provides rolling farmland and private beaches, and Aquinnah (formerly Gay Head) features the Wampanoag tribal lands and dramatic coastal cliffs.
Is a car necessary on Martha's Vineyard?
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Many visitors explore comfortably without one. The down-island towns connect via bus routes and bicycle paths, including the popular scenic ride between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. However, reaching up-island beaches like Lucy Vincent or Menemsha Harbor requires wheels — either a rental car brought over on the ferry or one hired on-island. Summer traffic and limited parking in town centers make bicycles genuinely practical for shorter distances.
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Marthas Vineyard
This island seven miles off Cape Cod has drawn visitors since the whaling era, though today's arrivals step off ferries from Woods Hole or Hyannis seeking something quieter than the mainland's summer crowds. Six distinct towns define the island's character: Edgartown's white-columned Greek Revival homes speak to nineteenth-century whaling wealth, while Oak Bluffs' carpenter Gothic cottages — painted in sherbet pinks and sea-glass greens — cluster around the Methodist Camp Meeting Association's iron tabernacle. Vineyard Haven serves as the working port, its Main Street lined with bookshops and the Black Dog bakery that launched a thousand t-shirts.
The island operates on its own rhythm. Up-island — the western reaches of Chilmark, Menemsha, and Aquinnah — remains deliberately rural, with stone walls crossing sheep pastures and the clay cliffs at Gay Head glowing red at sunset. Down-island towns fill summer evenings with gallery openings and farm-to-table dinners featuring Katama oysters and North Tabor corn. The accommodation landscape ranges from rambling Victorian properties with widow's walks to contemporary harborside addresses where guests wake to the clatter of fishing boats heading out before dawn.