You’ll find the historic house in a residential area that’s dotted with inns and bed-and-breakfasts. Though it’s in a quieter part of the island, it's just a 10-minute walk to “Town”.
Planes
The best way to reach Nantucket’s tiny airport, ACK, is to connect via Boston, but there are also frequent flights from New York City, Washington DC and Philadelphia. From the airport, it’s twenty minutes to the hotel by taxi.
Automobiles
Driving is definitely discouraged on the island (it’s devilishly difficult to find parking). Most visitors get around by bicycle – there are lots of rental outfits in town.
Other
You can also get to Nantucket via high-speed ferry from Hyannis, MA (it takes approximately an hour).
Worth getting out of bed for
First things first – you’ll be needing a bicycle. Rent one (by the hour, day or week) at Young’s Bicycle Shop in town. Now, it’s time to pedal to the playa – at nearby Jettie’s Beach, there’s a lifeguard, towels and chairs to borrow, and a restaurant serving lobster rolls and frozen drinks. Much quieter Steps Beach has no amenities, so pack your own picnic and borrow the hotel’s beach towels.
If it’s not beach weather (or those famous mists are rolling in), head into town for a whirl around the Whaling Museum. Here, you’ll learn about what it was like aboard whaling voyages in the 19th century (clue: not a walk in the park), measure up to a 46 ft sperm whale skeleton and probably make a mental note to re-read Moby Dick.
Nantucket’s boutiques specialise in souvenirs of the very chic variety – buy a needlepoint pillow at Erica Wilson, superlative stationery at Parchment (in Sconset) or a hand-woven throw blanket at Nantucket Looms.
And, for the actively inclined, the Sconset Bluff Walk winds from Sconset to the Sankaty Head Lighthouse with panoramic sea views on the way. Or, try a class at the Yoga Room, a friendly studio in town.
Local restaurants
You don’t have to go far for dinner: turn the corner to reach American Seasons, a rustic restaurant with a list of more than 500 American wines and seasonal fare. In the heart of town, the Proprietor’s Bar & Table pays homage to Nantucket’s whaling history and celebrates the palate of its well-traveled sailors with dishes like seared halloumi, cold sesame noodles, and red lentil falafel. Cru combines classic French preparation with pristine seafood for elegant dishes like chilled cucumber soup with peekytoe crab and yuzu, and seared scallops with creamed corn and truffle butter. There’s a stellar raw bar, too. And you can’t leave Nantucket without homemade ice cream – the Juice Bar has more than 30 creative flavours (Green Monster, Crantucket and Dirty Grasshopper, to name a few) and tonnes of toppings.
Local bars
Behind Ventuno’s Italian restaurant is Ventuno’s Back Bar. While it feels hidden away, it’s one of the most popular spots in town where you can sit outside under a trellis of local Nantucket flora. Order from the menu of specialty cocktails and Italian wines.