The Christopher

Planning a trip to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket? These two boutique inns were voted tops in our annual “Best of” survey.

Behind the stately, Victorian façade of Edgartown’s The Christopher is an island retreat owner Anne Hajjar describes as “St. Bart’s meets Martha’s Vineyard.” Vibrant blues, corals and purples and chic, coastal-inspired furnishings set the scene of this 15-room contemporary boutique hotel.

“We combined the best of both islands,” says Hajjar, who owns The Christopher, as well as sister Vineyard hotels The Sydney and the soon-to-be The Richard (all named after her children), with her husband, Charles. “St. Bart’s is very fashion forward, very French, and we combined that with the beachy but sophisticated elements of Martha’s Vineyard.”

Formerly The Victorian Inn, The Christopher is within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Balcony rooms offer views of Edgartown Harbor or the back courtyard, where guests can BYOB and gather around the fire pit. Homemade breads and a curated selection of small plates are among the breakfast offerings, prepared by general managers Marla and Julie Accursio-Gibbs. “From the minute you walk in,” Hajjar says, “they make you feel as if they are welcoming you into their home.”

Union Street Inn

Just off of Nantucket’s cobblestoned Main Street is the 12-room Union Street Inn, a restored 1770 whaling captain’s home. Named by Trip Advisor as the best small hotel in the U.S. in 2017, Union Street Inn offers luxurious living while maintaining the charm and warmth of its 18th-century design.

Owners Ken and Deborah Withrow take great pride in the service offered at the inn. “We contact all of our guests weeks prior to arrival,” Ken says. “We make all of their reservations and email them an itinerary. That same itinerary is in their room on arrival.”

Such attention to detail extends to gourmet breakfasts at the inn—the only Nantucket inn to serve full, cooked-to-order breakfast. Guests can dine on homemade blueberry pancakes with Vermont maple syrup in the pristine English-style garden patio—the perfect spot to enjoy a slice of carrot cake and a mint ice tea in the afternoon.

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