When you think about Martha’s Vineyard, vibrant hydrangeas, lighthouses, stunning cedar shingled cottages, and sandy beaches are likely what first comes to mind- making this charming Massachusetts island an incredibly desirable location for the perfect summer vacation. While all of this is true, there is so much more to this scenic, coastal destination than what initially meets the eye.
About The Island
Just seven miles off the coast of Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard is composed of six towns – all of which have their own unique style and vibe.
While here, I visited:
- Oak Bluffs
- Aquinnah – Home to the Wampanoag Indian tribe and Aquinnah Cliffs and Lighthouse.
- Edgartown
- When driving from Edgartown to Aquinnah, I passed through many of the other, very small
towns. Some of which only held a school, general store and library! The Uber driver said,
“If you blink, you’ll miss it!” (and he wasn’t wrong). Others were larger and had a few
restaurants and local attractions.
Fun Fact: Did you know the movie Jaws was filmed in Martha’s Vineyard?
Getting There
The two options to get to Martha’s Vineyard are by plane or by ferry.
I personally started my journey in Nantucket (taking the SeaStreak ferry from New Bedford to Nantucket where I stayed for a few days) and then took the Hy-Line Inter-Island ferry from Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard. The ferry was extremely easy and smooth! It dropped me off in Oak Bluffs from where I took a short Uber to Edgartown. At the end of my trip, I took the SeaStreak ferry from Oak Bluffs to New Bedford where I then continued my journey back home.
Where I Stayed: Harbor View Hotel
Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown is stunning and was the best end to a truly charming visit to
“the Islands”. The hotel facade perfectly reflects quintessential Martha’s Vineyard with pristine cedar shingles and bright, voluminous hydrangeas. It has unbeatable water views (and is steps away from two
beaches!), while also being a short walk from an abundance of shops and restaurants. The hotel was a short, easy car ride to and from the ferry port in Oak Bluffs.
The moment I entered Harbor View Hotel I was greeted by the most friendly staff and a welcome cocktail. The level of attentiveness and service from this hotel’s staff throughout my stay still stands out to me today. The hotel is unique in the variety of accommodation styles it offers guests. There is a main Historic Building (where I stayed), the adjacent Roxana building (that is great for families), and nine free standing Captain’s Cottages- ranging from one to three bedrooms with kitchenettes and living rooms. I stayed in the Historic Building in a 2 King room with a balcony that overlooked the pool. The initial “wow factors” were how spacious the room felt and the terrace views, but the real stand- out ended up being how plush and luxurious the bed felt. After a long day of exploring Martha’s Vineyard, there was nothing better than this!
Harbor View Hotel offers several amenities to create an easy, comfortable and memorable stay at their property.
Conveniences you can find here are:
- Three top tier culinary options on-site
- A seasonal outdoor, heated pool and private pool cabanas
- On-site parking (including electric charging station)
- 24/7 fitness center
- Complimentary Saturday morning yoga sessions on the front lawn (seasonal)
- Complimentary bicycles to explore the beautiful island
- There are so many great bike paths in Martha’s Vineyard, including: Oak Bluffs to
Edgartown and Oak Bluffs to Vineyard Haven - Golf cart shuttles to Fuller Beach and town
- Beach umbrellas, chairs, towels and coolers to enjoy a relaxing day on the beach
- Concierge service that can assist to arrange bespoke, off-site activities, such as:
- Oyster tours
- Boating/yachting excursions (including to Nantucket!)
- Fishing excursions
- Kayaking/paddle-boarding excursions
- Sightseeing tours
- Bicycles tours
- Additional family-friendly activities:
- Visit the Island Alpaca farm
- Horseback riding
Fun Fact: Did you know the Harbor View Hotel was used to house the crew during the filming of Jaws?
What I Did
Staying at Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown made for the perfect home base for a trip to Martha’s Vineyard. A few things I did during my stay:
Walked to the main street of Edgartown to explore. There are so many boutiques, galleries and cute restaurants here!
- Among The Flowers Cafe was the perfect stop for lunch.
- Mad Martha’s is a must-go for ice cream!
Drove to Aquinnah to visit the Aquinnah Cliffs and Lighthouse. The views here were incredible- even on a foggy day!
- I personally took an Uber and the drive was about 50 minutes each way. If you are planning
to do a lot of sightseeing and exploring during your stay, I would suggest considering a rental car (or if you are flexible in your plans) partaking in Harbor View Hotel’s Mercedes- Benz Drive Program – both options can be easily arranged through Harbor View Hotel. - With a personal car, there are a few cute towns along the way where you can stop at, such
as Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury. - Alternatively, these beautiful cliffs can be experienced when paired with other activities
like snorkeling and exploring remote areas through a private boat excursion created
through Harbor View Hotel.
Explored the very whimsical and fairytale-like Gingerbread Cottages in Oak Bluffs.
What I Loved
Great service is something that will always stand out to me and the hospitality at Harbor View Hotel was no exception! From the moment I arrived, to when I departed, I was always met with 5-star service from each and every staff member.
Additionally, I greatly appreciate the high-end amenities this hotel offers it’s guests. Whether you are staying two days or two weeks, they are truly creating a home away from home experience for their guests.
Last but certainly not least, I personally love supporting small, local businesses wherever I go and within my own community. When I found out that Harbor View Hotel makes large efforts to support and promote their local businesses (such as local oyster farmers), as well as protect the natural resources of Martha’s Vineyard, I fell even more in love with this hotel!
