Where to Stay in Nantucket
Visiting Nantucket and not sure where to stay?
There are 2 main options for accommodation on the pretty island: a hotel or a rental house. Both are great options, and just depend on the type of experience you’re looking for.
If you have a friend with a spare room or summer home on Massachusetts coastal hot spot, you’ve hit the jackpot!
For everyone else, here’s my guide to where to stay in Nantucket island!
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The Best Hotels in Nantucket
To summarize, here’s a handy chart of our recommended Nantucket hotels. All include free wifi and are known for comfort, great locations and great customer service.
Best Nantucket Hotels – Summary Comparison Chart
Name | Location | Best For | Price |
The White Elephant | Town | Luxury | Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com |
21 Broad | Town | All | Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com |
Greydon House | Town | Luxury & Food lovers | Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com |
76 Main | Town | All | Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com |
The Wauwinet | Town | Privacy, Couples | Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com |
The Cottages | Town | Families, Pet Owners | Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com |
Union Street Inn | Town | History lovers | Check rates: Hotels.com |
Brass Lantern Inn | Town | Budget friendly | Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com |
Below is more information about each hotel and why we recommend it!
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Nantucket Neighborhoods
Despite being relatively small, Nantucket has a couple different and distinct neighborhoods:
Town
“Town” is what locals call Nantucket’s downtown center, near the pretty waterfront. There’s nowhere else on earth as pretty as this place!
From cobblestone streets, upscale preppy boutiques and grey shingled homes perfectly manicured with climbing roses, downtown Nantucket is the neighborhood to stay in if you want to see and be seen.
This is a great spot to stay if its you’re first time visiting Nantucket, if you want to be conveniently in the thick of things, or if you primarily want to shop and eat!
SiaSconset
Often abbreviated as just ‘Sconset by locals, this is a really pretty neighborhood with homes lining a white seashell path and a nice quiet beach. Stay in Sconset if you want a more secluded location.
Madaket
On the western end, you have Madaket, the most laid-back portion of Nantucket. It’s known for incredible landscapes and a more ‘rustic’ vibe, although let’s be real this is all relative. We’re talking about Nantucket after all! Stay in Madaket if you love to surf – the beaches here have powerful waves and currents.
Where to Stay..
Out of these 3 different parts of Nantucket, I would recommend somewhere near Town for first time visitors or travelers with limited time on the island.
But, if you have an entire summer to spend in Nantucket, why not explore a couple different neighborhoods? Nantucket is pretty small so you can’t go wrong!
Read more: Fun Things to Do in Nantucket Without a Car!
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The White Elephant
The White Elephant is one of the best hotels in Nantucket. First, because they have 2 properties to choose from – both within a 2 block radius and right on the harbor. You can choose from the standard rooms or the spacious suites, and they even have an entire cottage designed by Lilly Pulitzer!
If it’s your first time visiting Nantucket, the White Elephant is great because it’s within walking distance of Main Street, downtown and the beaches.
If you want to explore other neighborhoods on Nantucket, the staff make it easy for you by offering complimentary bicycles (and BMWs if you’re staying in a suite!)
Why is the White Elephant one of the best hotels in Nantucket?
This iconic landmark is beautiful in the summer, with a classic 1920’s cottage exterior and hundreds of blooming hydrangeas. Relax at the spa, have dinner at the on-site Brant Point Grill, or have breakfast on the deck! Don’t miss the Lobster bloody mary, it’s one of a kind :)
Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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21 Broad
A colorful, reasonably priced hotel is the 21 Broad. It’s located right in the heart of downtown with modern decor, a fun outdoor deck with a fire-pit and complimentary breakfast (including handmade scones yum!)
Why is 21 Broad one of the best boutique hotels in Nantucket?
The boutique has just 27 rooms, as it was originally an old Victorian House. Everything has been totally modernized on the inside though!
From complimentary iPads to use during your stay to a hotel organized Instagram scavenger hunt and 40-inch smart TVs in every room, 21 Broad combines the best of old and new. It’s a member of the colorful Lark Hotels collection.
Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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Greydon House
If you love design, stay at Greydon House.
This brand new hotel and restaurant was designed by Roman + Williams, who make some of the most epic commercial real estate properties. You might be familiar with their work if you’ve ever dined at Le Coucou, Kingside inside the Viceroy Hotel or Lafayette.
What sets Greydon House apart?
One of the fun features about this boutique is its cocktail menu and roving cocktail cart – it goes from room to room before dinner, so all the guests can have a craft cocktail apertif!
You’ll love the on site restaurant, want to steal all the furnishings and never want to leave their nautical beds.
Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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76 Main
If you’re visiting Nantucket as a family, stay in 76 Main. This boutique is also located in Town and is recently renovated, with fun nautical decor.
Who would love 76 Main?
76 Main is part of the trendy Lark Hotels collection, known for modern vivid design, unobtrusive service and complimentary breakfasts. The hotel offers thoughtful touches like waffle kimono robes, complimentary iPads to use throughout your stay, in-room bluetooth and Apple TVs as well as evening BYOB cocktail mixers at the outdoor courtyard.
The nightly fire pit makes for a great gathering place to watch the sunset!
Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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The Wauwinet
The Wauwinet is a historic inn tucked away in northeast Nantucket. It’s the only member of Relais & Châteaux on the island and has luxurious guest rooms, 4 charming cottages and prime access to the pristine beaches of Nantucket Bay.
Stay here if you’re on your honeymoon, or value privacy and want to be away from the crowds. The Wauwinet is away from downtown and flanked on both sides by water so guests can take advantage of days on the beach, complimentary kayaks, and stand up paddle boards.
Why stay at the Wauwinet?
The Wauwinet hotel is well known for it’s award winning on-site restaurant Topper’s (with particularly fantastic wine pairings by an incredible sommelier) and sunsets on the main lawn at the fire pit. Also nearby is the Coskata Coatue Wildlife Refuge and complimentary water taxis if you really feel like you want to brave the crowds downtown.
Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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Bed & Breakfasts in Nantucket
The Cottages at the Boat Basin
The Cottages are a series of adorable waterfront cottages on Old South Wharf. With direct views overlooking Nantucket boat basis and easy access to Main Street, these are a unique accommodation option!
Each guest residence has a full kitchen and washer and dryers, so it’s perfect for families with young kids or those who are happy to cook up group dinners. Best of all? The Cottages are dog friendly!
Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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Union Street Inn
Union Street Inn is a historic home turned boutique inn with just a handful of rooms. A hot breakfast is cooked to order each morning. Don’t miss the homemade pastries and iced tea in the afternoon.
Check rates: Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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Brass Lantern Inn
For traditional Nantucket hospitality, stay at the classic Brass Lantern Inn. The bed & breakfast is located in the Old Historic District, just a short walk from the ferry and Whaling Museum. There are 17 rooms in total, renovated nicely to a cozy nautical chic theme. It’s also pet friendly!
Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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Renting a House
If you’re visiting with a group of friends, renting a house on Nantucket is the best option and the most budget friendly.
We had an epic, beautiful 2 story house with 6 bedrooms and 6+ bathrooms, which was spacious enough to accommodate all of us.
The best way to find a large rental is on VRBO, or if you’re just looking for a room or small home, Airbnb. Try to book as soon as you know you’ll be visiting Nantucket. Locals and summer families tend to pre-book by late fall for the next summer, so don’t wait!
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And that’s it! Our guide to Nantucket’s best hotels to make the most of your stay on Cape Cod.
Visiting Nantucket – Trip Planning Checklist
Flight Deals | Jet Blue offers nonstop flights from NYC to Nantucket. The flights are short and affordable, but occasionally fog disrupts routes. Alternatively, you can fly to Boston and then take the ferry. Set a fare alert here to be notified of discounts. September is a great time to visit to avoid the crowds!
Accommodation | Nantucket is a pricey weekend escape, so book hotels in advance to save, or check here for last minute deals. Not sure whether to pick a boutique or b&b or even what part of town to stay in? Read my Nantucket accommodation guide.
If you have a group of people, rent a house on Airbnb. It’s not only more charming and affordable, it’s more fun!
Insurance | Lastly, be sure to visit Nantucket with travel insurance. Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, or your phone gets stolen, travel insurance will help when you need it most.
Nantucket’s reputation as the Grey Lady means flights are delayed often. In our case, our flight was canceled and then our rebooked flights were delayed for 12 hours! Get a quote for your trip here.
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My sister and I are planning to visit Nantucket the beginning of October. We are coming from Omaha and plan to fly into Boston. Since flying into Nantucket may be iffy due to weather, what is the best way to get to the ferry.
Author
Hi Susan,
You can catch the ferry from Hyannis to get to Nantucket if you don’t want to fly.