Lambert’s Cove Inn & Restaurant Rating: 3.0 Pearls

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, United States

Grounds at the Lambert's Cove Inn & Restaurant

Located on the west side of the island on seven acres in West Tisbury, Lambert’s Cove Inn appeals to those wanting to get away from the “commercialism” of the east side and relax in a beautiful setting. The grounds around the inn are peaceful, quiet, and secluded. The heated salt mineral pool is tranquil. And the free daily made-to-order breakfast is delicious.

The inn was originally built as a farmhouse in 1790 and renovated in 2005. The shared Club Room and Red Room are sophisticated sitting rooms decorated in a handsome traditional style with classic American and English country furnishings and antiques. But the rooms and suites are more of a crapshoot -- the decor in some may not be to everyone's taste.

For dinner, the romantic Lambert’s Cove Restaurant, with its baby grand piano and French doors, provides a rotating menu of locally grown, seasonal cuisine. The whole town is dry, though, so don't expect any wine with your dinner -- unless you bring your own, which comes with a per-bottle corking fee.

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The winding driveway to Lambert’s Cove Inn is roughly a mile long off the road, meaning the area is as remote as it gets around Martha's Vineyard. However, with a car, it’s not difficult to get to other areas of the island.

Martha's Vineyard is an island off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Long known as a place where politicians, celebrities, and wealthy elite go to summer vacation, Martha's Vineyard also draws a heavy crowd of coastal-loving tourists. During the summer, the population more than quadruples with visitors, but the rest of the year it's a quiet and relaxing coastal hideaway. Edgartown is the island's largest town and is a popular destination because of the many shops, galleries, and restaurants on Main Street. The movie "Jaws" was also filmed here.

For beautiful sunrises, head over to Lighthouse Beach; for sunsets, South Beach in Katama is a popular destination. Catch the ferry into Oak Bluffs, a town known for its adorable gingerbread cottages, or into Vineyard Haven. Both towns offer plenty of cute shops, galleries, and restaurants, and are good jumping-off points for visiting the rest of the island. Chappaquiddick Island is just across the way (most famous for Ted Kennedy's infamous car accident).

On the west side of the island (a bit more remote than on the east), Menemsha is known as the spot for unbelievable sunsets along the harbor. The Gay Head Cliffs, and Gay Head Lighthouse, are also local points of interest.

Getting to Martha's Vineyard can only be done by ferry or air. Ferries run out of Woods Hole, Falmouth, New Bedford, Hyannis (all MA locations), and Quonset Point, RI into Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven. If you want to bring a car to the island, you have to depart from Woods Hole, as the Steamship Authority is the only ferry that transports cars. Cape Air, US Airways and Jet Blue offer service into Martha's Vineyard Airport for those choosing to fly.

• 15-minute drive to Martha's Vineyard Airport
• 5-minute drive to Cronig’s Market
• 6-minute drive to Lambert's Cove Beach
• 15-minute drive to Vineyard Haven
• 25-minute drive to Edgartown
• 25-minute drive to Oak Bluffs
• 25-minute drive plus 45-minute ferry ride to Woods Hole

The Chesapeake at the Lambert's Cove Inn & Restaurant

Every room is named after a different city or place, and is decorated according to that name, with interesting (or odd) furnishings to match. For instance, the Savannah Room (as in the African grassland, not the city in Georgia) is decorated in various shades of brown, with lots of animal artwork and prints inspired by safaris -- though some might find the large faux-palm plant and bamboo-themed bedding with matching fringed wall tapestry a bit much.

Those looking for updated technology may find the tiny tube televisions a disappointment, however (and the few flat-screen TVs found throughout the resort are miniscule). Rooms located in the main building above the reception area lack the soundproofing some guests may desire. Conversations (in normal speaking tones) at the reception desk and in the lobby can be overheard quite clearly, even with the door closed. The Carriage House and Guest House rooms are separated from the main building (in two other buildings) for those wanting more space and privacy.

• 500-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens
• Free Wi-Fi
• Tiny flat-screen or tube TVs with DVD players
• Old alarm clock radios
• Eco Sciences bath products
• Air-conditioning
• Some rooms have a fireplace, and some have a private porch overlooking the property.
• Some bathrooms have a shower only, while others have a soaking tub.
• Suites have a separate living area.

Pool at the Lambert's Cove Inn & Restaurant

• Free daily made-to-order full breakfast (during the high season)
• Free Wi-Fi with computer available for guest use in the study
• Heated outdoor salt mineral pool, and Jacuzzi
• Tennis court, though showing damage in areas
• Access to the private Lambert's Cove Beach a mile away

Lambert's Cove Inn Restaurant at the Lambert's Cove Inn & Restaurant

Lambert’s Cove Restaurant is a favorite among locals and travelers for its romantic atmosphere and rotating dinner menu. Diners can expect local fare, from island seafood to in-season vegetables from nearby farms, along with homemade desserts. Because Lambert’s Cove Inn is located in a dry town, the restaurant is B.Y.O.B. (corkage fees apply).