Just as September was beginning, we headed to Martha’s Vineyard to finish off summer and get ready for our busy fall as a family.
Our drive from just outside of Toronto took approximately 9.5 hours to Cape Cod, and after that drive we stayed overnight there and relaxed before we heading out by ferry the next day to Martha’s Vineyard.
The drive to Cape Cod is actually a very easy going one. There aren’t a lot of twists and turns – it’s easy to navigate, and always a very scenic drive.
There are a couple ferry options, but we like to take the Hy-Line Cruises fast ferry which gets us from Cape Cod to Martha’s Vineyard in an hour. We love that the ferry leaves from the harbor in Hyannis where there are lots of different hotel and parking options, plus the ferry is fast and has food and drinks available on board!
Actually getting to Martha’s Vineyard is quite easy! Once you arrive in Oak Bluffs via the fast ferry, it’s a quick 10 minute drive to Edgartown where you’ll find our destination – the Harbor View Hotel.
I think arriving to the Harbor View Hotel is one of the best feelings. Driving down North Water Street and seeing the ocean and the Edgartown Lighthouse coming into view, and then turning into the hotel drive is such a great feeling. Home away from home!
RIght from your arrival – having your car door opened, being offered a refreshment, given assistance with luggage, and being guided into the lobby – it’s all just so easy from the start.
I love that the Harbor View Hotel has made it so you really don’t need to leave! On site they have a fitness center, restaurants Bettini, Behind the View, and Roxy Pool Bar, and all kinds of activities that could really keep you on the property! There are seasonal lawn games, and even complimentary yoga classes as well. Paired with the fact that they have a set of cottages on property with kitchenettes where you can fix yourself a snack, there are plenty of options to keep you relaxing at the hotel.
Speaking of amenities, we really love that hotel guests have access to one of three Mercedez Benz vehicles during our stay. You could reserve one to use for a few hours each day in the morning, and we took advantage of this one evening. It was great to be able to drive around to spots we wanted to check out during our trip, especially since we didn’t bring our car onto the island!
My son especially loved that there were two club cars at the hotel that could drive us downtown when we needed it. There always seemed to be one ready to take us anywhere we wanted to go, but there was also the option of calling and booking a ride into, or out of town if we didn’t feel like walking. So much fun!
Our room for this stay was a two bedroom cottage, and it was a luxurious. The room included robes, slippers, a Nespresso Coffee machine, wireless speakers, and two bathrooms which was such a gerat perk!
The hotel has all kinds of accommodation options including newly-remodeled guest rooms, and 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites and cottages. There are eight stand-alone Captains Cottages with 28 units, and they are absolutely stunning inside and out. They all include kitchenettes which make your stay so much more convenient as well.
Our son loved having his own bedroom and bathroom, and he loved hanging out watching TV in the livingroom.
The Harbor View hotel has the most gorgeous verandah with a view that’s so beautiful it’s hard to believe. The views of the ocean, and the beach where the Edgartown Lighthouse sits are memorizing in the morning, afternoon and evening. It was easy to spend hours relaxing on the porch, enjoying the view.
We spent the most time during our stay at the heated pool on the hotel property. When you arrive at the pool their pool staff set up chairs and towels for the guests of the hotel, they have cabanas available for the day, and staff on hand serving drinks and food poolside.
Our son loved this pool! We spent a lot of time here relaxing. I loved that you could have food and drinks delivered straight to our lounge chairs, or alternatively there is seating at the Roxy Pool Bar. The pool was heated, and there were lots of towels, sunscreen and water available to all of the hotel guests like us who spent most of the day there.
Once you are ready to venture off the property, you’ll find downtown Edgartown is only a 5 minute walk away! The walk is my favorite – I love looking at all of the gorgeous houses on that street into town.
The location of this hotel can’t be beat. You are steps away from the iconic Edgartown Lighthouse, Fuller and Lighthouse Beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, an Edgartown Village is a short walk away, and Chappaquiddick Island is a two minute ferry. That’s right – it only takes two minutes to get from Edgartown to Chappaquiddick! The “On Time” Ferry doesn’t have a schedule – it’s just arrive, and head over!
There is so much shopping downtown – I love walking around and looking for new finds to bring home. This year I brought home a cozy sweatshirt, and a few little reminders of the island. There are so many coffee shops to visit as well – we love trying each one to test out which one we like the most.
We spent more time than we expected on the property just relaxing. Hanging out on the Great Lawn playing games, sitting on the Verandah, days at the pool, relaxing in our cottage, and then venturing just across the street for morning and evening walks to the Edgartown Lighthouse.
Something I especially loved about this hotel was their attention to detail. Their evening turndown service includes a chocolate on your pillow. Each time you walk past the doors to the lobby you could pick up a bottle of water from the staff. The lobby and verandah were always so clean even though they were the busiest spots in the hotel. Hotel guests had priority reservations at Bettini, Behind the View, and the Roxy Pool Bar. A ride into town on one of the two hotel electric golf carts was aways easy to pick up since staff were always ready and waiting to drive us. Having three Mercedez Benz vehicles gassed (or charged up!) ready to go for guests to borrow was so convenient.
The staff at the hotel were always kind and cheerful, and it really felt like we were staying at a home away from home during our stay.
We left the hotel feeling relaxed and ready to start our busy fall season. We already miss this beautiful hotel, and we can’t wait to return!
Thank you to the wonderful Sam Brooks for capturing our Harbor View Hotel adventure!
