Pros

  • Beautiful harbor-front location with wonderful views
  • Self-contained cottages are great for families or groups
  • Free daily shuttle to Surfside Beach (seasonal)
  • Free bikes and storage for guest use
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Pets allowed (restrictions and fees apply)
See More Pros

Cons

  • No restaurants on-site
  • No parking
  • Minimum stay is sometimes required
  • Not open year-round
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The Cottages & Lofts at Boat Basin are perfect for families and groups looking for something other than a typical hotel or B&B stay. The self-contained cottages and lofts offer all the perks of a private vacation rental with the benefit of hotel features such as daily housekeeping and access to a nearby spa. Pet-lovers will be happy, too, because furry members of the family are allowed within certain cottages for an extra fee. The location directly on the Harbor means the views are fairly spectacular, too.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed

Oyster Hotel Review

The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin

Scene

Private vacation rentals with hotel perks

This property is located on the docks of the Harbor and offers waterfront vacation cottages and lofts for guests who want more than just a room in a hotel. Because all the units are self-contained, there’s not much in terms of a communal atmosphere -- there’s no restaurant, common rooms, or outdoor spaces where guests will encounter other travelers.

That is part of the appeal, however. Guests here are looking for a space for their family or group that doesn’t confine them to one room for a week. And the fully equipped kitchens mean that guests aren't relegated to eating out every night. Some cottages have an outdoor deck or patio for dining al fresco. Both the cottages and lofts have a rustic seaside decor to them that fits well with their Nantucket address. And if families get tired of wandering around downtown, they can always hop aboard the free daily shuttle (seasonal) to Surfside Beach.

See More Scene

Location

Situated on Nantucket's harbor

Located on the Nantucket harbor, The Cottages at Boat Basin are walking distances to everything in the area -- shops, dining, and the Children's Beach -- which is good, because there's no parking for guests, and it can be next to impossible to find spaces in the area during the busy summer months.

Nantucket is an island 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, next to Martha’s Vineyard. While the Vineyard boasts some lovely homes, Nantucket’s real estate puts it to shame. This is where the rich come to vacation, and the prices around town reflect that. Don’t expect to run into the Hollywood crowd -- here it’s more CEOs, politicians, and billionaire businessmen who have their second homes on the island. The atmosphere is relaxed, but polished at the same time.

Nantucket is about history and natural beauty. It features some of the highest concentration of Pre-Civil war structures and oldest operating windmill in U.S. You’ll find cobblestoned streets downtown (always fun to drive over), plenty of historic mansions converted into bed-and-breakfasts, and boutiques shilling expensive brand names. While the shopping and dining is fantastic, the beautiful beaches are probably the main allure. The southside beaches are key for surfers (Cisco is a local favorite), Madaket has phenomenal sunsets, Jetties is close to town and great for families, and Great Point Beach is accessible only by four-wheel drive.

There are a number of ferries to get to and from the island, but The Steamship Authority ferry from Hyannis is the only way to bring a car across the water, although travelers are strongly discouraged from bringing their cars. During the summer, when the population swells from 10,000 to 50,000 people, finding parking can be next to impossible. It's easier to rent a car once you're on the island (plus, the ferry fee for cars can range from $120-$200 each way depending on the season).

  • 14-minute drive to Nantucket Memorial Airport
  • 5-minute walk to downtown
  • 15-minute drive to Madaket
  • 15-minute drive to Cisco Beach
  • 20-minute drive to Sankaty Head Lighthouse (Siasconset, or 'Sconset, as it's known by the locals)
  • 1-hour fast ferry ride to Hyannis, MA on Hy-Line ferry from downtown Nantucket
  • 2-hour and 15-minute ferry ride to Hyannis, MA on Steamship Authority ferry (the only one to carry cars to the island) from downtown Nantucket
See More Location

Rooms

Lofts and cottages for small or large groups

With lofts and cottages ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, there’s room for couples and extended families (up to six people) in these self-contained units. Each unit has its own unique furnishings, but they all have the same rustic beachside decor with modern features. Some of the cottages have bedrooms and bathrooms that are on the small side, depending on the layout. Each has a water view, but some have patios and decks overlooking the Harbor.

  • Lovely harbor views
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Elemis bath products
  • Kitchenettes
  • Flat-screen TVs with DVD
  • Air conditioning
  • Some cottages have decks or patios.
  • Some cottages are pet-friendly (restrictions and fees apply).
  • Lofts can have a full kitchen or kitchenette, dining area, sofa bed, soaking tub or shower, a private deck and harbor views.
See More Rooms

Features

Less like a hotel and more like a private home

See More Features

Things You Should Know About The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin

Also Known As

  • The Cottages at Boat Basin

Address

24 Old South Wharf, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554-3834, United States

Phone

(508) 325-1499

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin

Scene

Private vacation rentals with hotel perks

This property is located on the docks of the Harbor and offers waterfront vacation cottages and lofts for guests who want more than just a room in a hotel. Because all the units are self-contained, there’s not much in terms of a communal atmosphere -- there’s no restaurant, common rooms, or outdoor spaces where guests will encounter other travelers.

That is part of the appeal, however. Guests here are looking for a space for their family or group that doesn’t confine them to one room for a week. And the fully equipped kitchens mean that guests aren't relegated to eating out every night. Some cottages have an outdoor deck or patio for dining al fresco. Both the cottages and lofts have a rustic seaside decor to them that fits well with their Nantucket address. And if families get tired of wandering around downtown, they can always hop aboard the free daily shuttle (seasonal) to Surfside Beach.

See More Scene

Location

Situated on Nantucket's harbor

Located on the Nantucket harbor, The Cottages at Boat Basin are walking distances to everything in the area -- shops, dining, and the Children's Beach -- which is good, because there's no parking for guests, and it can be next to impossible to find spaces in the area during the busy summer months.

Nantucket is an island 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, next to Martha’s Vineyard. While the Vineyard boasts some lovely homes, Nantucket’s real estate puts it to shame. This is where the rich come to vacation, and the prices around town reflect that. Don’t expect to run into the Hollywood crowd -- here it’s more CEOs, politicians, and billionaire businessmen who have their second homes on the island. The atmosphere is relaxed, but polished at the same time.

Nantucket is about history and natural beauty. It features some of the highest concentration of Pre-Civil war structures and oldest operating windmill in U.S. You’ll find cobblestoned streets downtown (always fun to drive over), plenty of historic mansions converted into bed-and-breakfasts, and boutiques shilling expensive brand names. While the shopping and dining is fantastic, the beautiful beaches are probably the main allure. The southside beaches are key for surfers (Cisco is a local favorite), Madaket has phenomenal sunsets, Jetties is close to town and great for families, and Great Point Beach is accessible only by four-wheel drive.

There are a number of ferries to get to and from the island, but The Steamship Authority ferry from Hyannis is the only way to bring a car across the water, although travelers are strongly discouraged from bringing their cars. During the summer, when the population swells from 10,000 to 50,000 people, finding parking can be next to impossible. It's easier to rent a car once you're on the island (plus, the ferry fee for cars can range from $120-$200 each way depending on the season).

  • 14-minute drive to Nantucket Memorial Airport
  • 5-minute walk to downtown
  • 15-minute drive to Madaket
  • 15-minute drive to Cisco Beach
  • 20-minute drive to Sankaty Head Lighthouse (Siasconset, or 'Sconset, as it's known by the locals)
  • 1-hour fast ferry ride to Hyannis, MA on Hy-Line ferry from downtown Nantucket
  • 2-hour and 15-minute ferry ride to Hyannis, MA on Steamship Authority ferry (the only one to carry cars to the island) from downtown Nantucket
See More Location

Rooms

Lofts and cottages for small or large groups

With lofts and cottages ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, there’s room for couples and extended families (up to six people) in these self-contained units. Each unit has its own unique furnishings, but they all have the same rustic beachside decor with modern features. Some of the cottages have bedrooms and bathrooms that are on the small side, depending on the layout. Each has a water view, but some have patios and decks overlooking the Harbor.

  • Lovely harbor views
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Elemis bath products
  • Kitchenettes
  • Flat-screen TVs with DVD
  • Air conditioning
  • Some cottages have decks or patios.
  • Some cottages are pet-friendly (restrictions and fees apply).
  • Lofts can have a full kitchen or kitchenette, dining area, sofa bed, soaking tub or shower, a private deck and harbor views.
See More Rooms

Features

Less like a hotel and more like a private home

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Supervised Kids Activities

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.