Untuck It in Nantucket This Summer
All photos courtesy of 21 Broad.
21 Broad
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Beachy with an Urban Edge, $$$
You may imagine Nantucket as a bastion of blue-blood Americana, the kind of place that's been welcoming generations of Skips and Trips and Beckys since their forebears crashed into Plymouth Rock. And you wouldn't be wrong, but you'd be missing the crucial other aspect of the island — the one that's friendly and artsy and easygoing and outdoorsy and tailor-made for summer fun. 21 Broad is the small, 27-room boutique hotel that embodies the most welcoming aspects of Nantucket, from its central location two blocks the ferry terminal to the open lobby and backyard deck (both with their own fireplaces), and from the art commissioned for the rooms to the adjoining buildings that house the hotel, one a late 19th-century Victorian, the other a 21st-century addition. The thoughtful design by Boston's Rachel Reider Interiors goes a long way to blending old and new, creating an environment that's at once classic, contemporary, and really comfy. 21 Broad is part of the Lark Hotels, a collection of super cute, design-driven boutique hotels in iconic New England destinations like Kennebunkport, Newport, Portsmouth, Salem, Portland, and Narragansett. (Ah-yup, that list sounds ripped from the "where to summah" chapter of The Official Preppy Handbook.) You'll be hearing a lot more about Lark Hotels on Fathom, especially as we go into the summer. These hotels are built for it.
Book It
Click here for reservations. Or contact the Fathom Concierge and we can book your trip for you.
At a Glance
The Vibe: An urbane take on a beach hotel.
Standout Detail: The general ease that permeates throughout.
Rooms: 27 rooms are decorated with modern, furniture in shades of white and light woods (it's a strong West Elm vibe) accented with friendly pops of orange, turquoise, or yellow in curtains, pillows, paintings, and bedside vases. Some room have charming architectural details like fireplaces and bay windows. Bathrooms are stocked with Later products and — here's one you don't see every day — Vitamin C filters on the shower heads. If you'd rather energize with caffeine, request a room with a coffee maker. Note that in the summer, there's a two-night minimum on most weekends. Families are welcome, but rooms cannot accommodate more than two guests, which means cribs, pack 'n' plays, and rollaway beds are not an option.
On Site: The guest lounge has a game table, record player, and a striking glass and concrete fireplace. Also available: outdoor deck with fire pit, steam room, spa services. The WiFi is free (as it should be but isn't always).
Food + Drink: The hotel offers a socially distant, grab-and-go breakfast (like overnight oats, baked goods, fruit, artisan cheeses, daily smoothie), but that's all. The do have a list of their favorite local restaurants for lunch and dinner. Sorry, no room service either.
Covid-19 Notes: We applaud the spirit on the Health & Safety page of their website: "Travel in the current environment requires a collaborative social contract; we all need to do our part." Guests will need to maintain social distancing and wear masks in public areas. Housekeeping with be extra meticulous; cancellation policies are relaxed for 2021. Some offerings may be amended or unavailable to abide by local and federal health and safety guidelines. Additionally, breakfast (like overnight oats, baked goods, fruit) will be through contactless pickup.
What to Do Nearby
The hotel is two blocks from the Steamship Authority ferry terminal, putting it in the center of town action. You'll be outside most of the time you're here, as Nantucket is rich in beaches, water sports (kiteboarding, sailing), and nature trails for strolling and birding. Also, a Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum, which tells the stories of the locals who helped save the sailors who were caught in the 700 shipwrecks around Nantucket in the 1800s. Here too, the hotel is ready to help with a diverse list of favorite island activities. Just make sure to have a car-free vacation: Nantucket is easily walkable and bike-able.