I love Nantucket in the off-season. It’s extremely beautiful in the summer, but the population grows 3x during the warmer months and can make the small island feel overcrowded. Don’t get me wrong, I love a summer getaway to the Grey Lady, but I also love the charming Massachusetts island during the spring or fall.
When The Nantucket Hotel invited me to visit, I jumped at the chance to go in April. It’s right before the peak season starts, the restaurants and shops are opening back up, you don’t have to deal with any crowds – and reservations are very easy to come by.
The Nantucket Hotel is approximately a 10-minute walk from the ferry port and downtown. When I arrived, I would’ve had no problem making the short trek, but the hotel was nice enough to pick me up in their vintage school bus. It’s definitely a cool way to make your arrival known.
The hotel is fabulous. From the big red fire truck out front to the nautical vibes inside, you truly feel like you’re experiencing the best a hotel can offer.
After I check-in, I head to my room to unpack and get my camera gear ready for my visit. My room is right down the hall from reception. The room decor perfectly encapsulates Nantucket – colorful, nautical, and stylish.
The loft-type room included a small sitting area, kitchenette, and a four-post bed. The bed was my favorite. Not just because I love to sleep. There was a sliding barn door to separate the bedroom and the living area, the pillow details really added a Nantucket touch, and the chandelier was impeccably selected.
When I wasn’t in my room, I was, no lie, in the restaurant, Breeze. I had breakfast and dinner in Breeze, and I can’t recommend it enough. If you go for dinner, get the brick chicken. And then bring me a couple of orders. It’s was dreams are made of.
The hotel arranged for a few extracurriculars for me while I was in town. First up was a cooking class at the Nantucket Culinary Center.
Joy and Greg gave me a tour of their incredible facilities and their restaurant downstairs, The Corner Table. Then we prepared a light meal of cherry tomatoes, shishito peppers, and salmon filets. The perfect spring dish.
If you’re looking for some fun activities while you’re on the island, definitely check out the Nantucket Culinary Center’s events calendar. It’s perfect for kids, a girlfriend getaway, or a larger dinner party.
The next day, I hung out with Eleanor from Capture Nantucket. We drove all over the island photographing the landscape, lighthouses, and homes. I saw a few new spots on the island and learn some tips about shooting in manual mode on my Sony a6500. Capture Nantucket offers a lot of photo tour options – from camera phoners to experts looking to dabble in night photography, there’s something for everyone. It’s also a great way to get to know the island. I recommend this for anyone visiting the island.
My visit to The Nantucket Hotel reminded me why I love Nantucket. The community. The hotel staff was so friendly and everyone I met on this trip is someone I hope to see again. I can’t wait to visit the Grey Lady again – and stay at The Nantucket Hotel.
A million thank yous to The Nantucket Hotel and Resort in Nantucket, Massachusetts for generously hosting me! If you’re interested in staying at The Nantucket Hotel, visit their website at www.thenantuckethotel.com. All opinions and images are my own.
If you want to check out my other hotel adventures, head over to my Hotels section.
