Harbor View Hotel

Built in 1891, The Harbor View Hotel has always held a grand presence in Edgartown. In the early days, it was one of the first luxury resorts for a town that had come into its own during the whaling industry boom.

Over the years, the hotel has changed hands a few times, with the most recent owners (who purchased it in 2006) discussing plans for a huge restoration project over the next several years. For now, the hotel remains an impressive property, with gorgeous waterfront views and upscale dining. The rooms are simply decorated with chic browns, blues, and whites, and stylish, beach-chic furniture.

Down the far end of North Water Street, Harbor View Hotel is only a short walk to Main Street. It’s close to the action, but far enough away to be quiet so you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the front veranda over looking the water.

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 nearby 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.

If you are staying in town or don't intend to do much traveling around the island, a car isn't necessary. The Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority operates efficient buses that travel the island year round. And given the extreme lack of parking in town, a car can be a huge headache in the summer. Biking is another popular mode of transportation.

• 11-minute drive to Martha's Vineyard Airport
• 1-minute walk to Lighthouse Beach
• 2-minute walk to Main Street with plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries
• 45-minute ferry ride to Woods Hole, Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven
• 15-minute drive to Oak Bluffs
• 30-minute drive to Menemsha Beach
• 20-minute drive to Vineyard Haven
• 20-minute drive to Mink Meadows Golf Course

Given the historical nature of the property, no two rooms are alike in size and features. However, all are decorated in a chic beach style, with lots of blues, browns, and whites. The beds are extremely comfortable with soft sheets and duvets. The furnishings are modern (no wicker chairs or antiques here). In the cottages, the rooms are slightly more interesting and luxe, with splashes of orange and red, along with a few antique-style furnishings.

The self-contained cottages are luxurious, with kitchens, living rooms, porches or decks, and multiple bathrooms. They are quieter and more private, as they are removed from the main area of the hotel.

One unique feature that the hotel offers is the reusable water bottles provided in each guest room. Instead of having to recycle hundreds of water bottles daily, guests can simply refill the water bottles whenever needed with hot or cold water at one of the hotel’s filtered water stations -- a nice eco-friendly option for a property of this size.

• Flat-screen TVs
• Mini-fridges and coffee makers
• Room service and turn-down service are seasonal only
• Free Wi-Fi
• CD-clock radios

• Harbor-front location, and private dock for hotel boats
• Free Wi-Fi
• Free parking
• Sunset cruises aboard the hotel’s Stardust yacht
• Sailing adventures, fishing trips, and water shuttles available for guests (extra fees apply)
• Heated outdoor pool, with poolside service during the summer months
• Free Harbor View Hotel reusable water bottles provided in each guest room, with a water filtration system for guests to refill bottles as needed
• View Full List of Amenities

Getting its fresh ingredients from local farms and fishermen, Water Street serves contemporary New England-style cuisine. The menu includes small plates and full-sized entrees, along with a decent wine list. Breakfast and dinner are served daily (although dinner is not available during the winter season).

Grab a small plate of fresh island fare, or a full-sized sandwich, along with the signature cocktails, beers, and wines at Henry’s Hotel Bar. Open every day.