A tiny charming island off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket was once New England’s whaling capital. But it’s changed since Herman Melville’s day and is one of the most dynamic and stylish places to stay on the peninsula. That said, it still has oodles of its old-time idyllic charm, with grey cedar shake-sided homes, perfectly manicured yards, hydrangea-covered entrances, and cobblestoned streets. With international jet-setters, Boston-area weekenders, and intrepid travelers like us flocking in droves, it was no surprise to see Nantucket’s sparkling hotel scene. In fact, hotels with pools in Nantucket have become incredibly popular since the island is a bustling summer vacation spot.
Moreover, they included luxurious and boutique hotels and even B&Bs. Notwithstanding their style and kind, smaller and more intimate properties rule the roost in this quaint town, where rich history blends effusively with modern charm. Read this detailed guide to Nantucket stays that also come with pools.
Meanwhile, you might want to read about the best oceanfront hotels in Cape Cod.
Table of contents
Cliffside Beach Club
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We were looking for an exclusive pool hotel away from the bustle of the main town, and the Cliffside Beach Club was it. This fabulous beach club and hotel was a 15-minute walk from the town center, but it sat right on the marvelous sands of Jetties Beach. Moreover, it’s also one of the island’s most expensive beachside hotels, but it was worth every penny.
The fact that we made the right decision was evident the minute we laid eyes on the pool complex, which looked like an exclusive and intimate garden landscape in the Mediterranean. What’s more, the secluded area featured not one but three pools, a leisure pool, a pool for lap swimmers, and a hot pool where we could simply lounge and retreat when it was cold. Since they were surrounded by lush natural landscaping and fences, the pools felt like an escape from even the rest of the club. If that wasn’t enough, they even had organic waterfalls, daybeds under umbrellas, and a sauna. Between 10 am and 12:30 pm, it would be children’s playtime, which is when families would descend here.
The rest of the 1958-built beach club was equally spectacular, especially the panoramic beachfront bar, which makes it very popular during summertime. Besides a huge spa and fitness center, the beach club also allowed us access to the beach. Coming to the accommodations, we had the choice of four kinds of rooms: beach club rooms, suites, apartments, and beach house residences, which were perfect for a large group like ours.
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Blue Iris By Life House
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Best boutique. We left old-school Nantucket establishment resorts behind when we went looking for an intimate stay with a fantastic location and immaculate design chops. That’s how the quiet escape that is the Blue Iris By Life House came into focus. The hotel has the most interesting backstory; it was built way back in 1838 for a wealthy whaling captain. Over the decades, it was one salty, old-school inn after another before getting its current luxury treatment, but it has retained all that authentic and historical character. That’s why it’s also one of Nantucket’s best boutique hotels.
All 12 design-forward rooms and suites at the Blue Iris are a blend of a retro and a cosmopolitan maritime vibe. Think beautifully worn brass accents, nautical-feeling matte teal-painted woodwork, a custom Murano glass chandelier in the entryway, and Portuguese-inspired tiles and textiles. Did you know all rooms came with marble baths? Also, the suites had balconies with great views.
Despite there not being a restaurant, sister property Faraway is a stone’s throw with its fun bar and restaurant. That said, we did get a fabulous complimentary continental breakfast of oats, croissants, and coffee. What we really liked was that the inn offered a beach shuttle service and even gear rentals, as well as complete access to the nearby beachside club pool. How cool is that!
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White Elephant Hotel
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Most luxurious. The very essence of White Elephant Hotel is the “quintessential coastal New England mansion,” with its beachfront lobster rolls, salty air, and wooden shutters. Located right on the fringes of the historic district, the iconic hotel fronts Children’s Beach, but its best selling point is that it has a heated outdoor pool.
In fact, it’s one of the few hotels on the island with a heated pool, and it’s one of the best places to unwind. What’s more, it’s surrounded by white cabanas, loungers, and parasols, and the image of the pool has become iconic with Nantucket. But that’s not all. The hotel is home to the award-winning Brant Point Grill, whose seafood menu is a hit with locals and travelers alike. After a relaxing swim and lounge, we’d either head here for a bite or to the hotel spa, which offered a range of relaxing massages and treatments.
The rest of the New England chic hotel was equally amazing, especially its harborside lawns, original artwork, and, of course, its digs. We loved the wooden and white aesthetic of the rooms and suites, all of which came with iPod docking stations, modern bathrooms, and TVs. Of course, thanks to the free Wi-Fi, we were able to plan our itineraries for every day.
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Beachside on Nantucket
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Casual beachside dwelling doesn’t get any better than at Beachside on Nantucket, which seems like a welcome throwback without the fanciness but with all the comfort. The hotel is practically arranged around its popular outdoor heated rectangular pool, which was a big hit with not just families with kids but even us couples. After a languorous swim, we’d sprawl on the daybeds underneath the parasols, followed by playing games on the big lawn, which we could borrow from the front desk.
The casual feel of the outdoors and the pool extends to the rest of the hotel, too, including the white-and-blue rooms and suites. We had the choice of four kinds, namely courtyard, veranda, poolside, and cliffside. Nevertheless, they all boast the same casual island décor, with nautical elements and sailboat pictures. What’s more, they all have free Wi-Fi, small fridges, and coffeemakers, while our deluxe room even had a bathtub. Besides the pool, the property even had a business center, a gym, onsite laundry facilities, and even board games and DVDs. And despite there being no restaurant, we even got complimentary muffins, bagels, juice, and coffee in the morning.
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Nantucket Inn
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Best family resort. The Nantucket Inn was the perfect family-friendly resort for our family holiday to this New England island. What we loved about the inn was that it blended the comforts of a B&B with the comforts and amenities of an activity-filled, family-friendly hotel.
“An indoor and an outdoor pool both? Now that’s what we call an island holiday!”
WOW Travel
Of course, the top draw here is the fact that the inn has not only a seasonal outdoor pool but also a huge indoor pool area! In fact, it’s the only Nantucket stay to have both an indoor and outdoor pool, which is what makes this a premier, all-year destination to stay. When the weather was nice, and the sun was out, we’d splash about in the outdoor pool, which also had a hot tub to the side. On some days when there was a slight chill in the air, the indoor pool, with another hot tub and chairs, would be our go-to place. It doesn’t get any better than this!
That’s not all; the hotel even had tennis courts and a complimentary shuttle that would bring our entire brood to the town center for shopping and sightseeing. The best bit? All kids under 18 years of age could stay for free in their parents’ rooms! The rooms, with wooden floors and chic white furnishings, felt like an escape, especially since they were not only spacious but also came with all possible mod-cons.
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The Nantucket Hotel & Resort
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Sitting at the top of this list is the fabulous Nantucket Hotel & Resort, a rarity on the island scene since it’s open throughout the year! This was the first time we’d seen a private vintage trolley bus, which ferried us and our luggage right up to the resort. We were immediately taken by the classic New England exterior, complete with a front porch with Adirondack chairs. On the inside, it was completely renovated, a far cry from its original 1981-built state. Of the 36 rooms and suites, some even came with common decks, like our one-bedroom balcony suite. Moreover, the nautical decor made it really feel like we were living by the sea but in absolute comfort.
The rest of the hotel was no less impressive, especially its signature seasonal experiences that ranged from private dining experiences to season-inspired cocktails served on the porches and by the firepit. When the hunger pangs came calling, the onsite restaurant, Breeze, was perfect. Not only did it serve all meals, but it even had terrace service with live music and fire pits (when it got cold).
Moreover, we even had access to wellness facilities at the Nantucket Club on the property, the highlight of which were the two outdoor pools – yes, two! One pool was family-friendly with a shallow end, pool toys, a fence, sun loungers, and beach chairs, perfect for families. However, our favorite was the heated adults-only one, where lounging on the daybeds was one of the best things to do on the property. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the most romantic hotels in Cape Cod.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all of Nantucket’s pool stays, the ones below are our favorite ones.
- Best family resort: Nantucket Inn
- Most luxurious: White Elephant Hotel
- Best boutique: Blue Iris By Life House
Where to Stay in Nantucket?
The island of Nantucket is small by any standards and is home to some of the most alluring and charming small towns and villages we’ve ever seen. We begin with Nantucket Town, which is the most popular option for where to stay on Nantucket. It’s not only home to the Nantucket ferry terminal and the Nantucket Downtown Historic District. We loved walking the quintessentially cobblestoned streets with well-preserved 18th/19th-century historic houses that make for a very unique vibe.
Aside from this main town, there are many lovely villages off the beaten path. Firstly, there’s Madaket on the westernmost tip, which is famous for its jaw-dropping sunsets and sandy beach. Next, there’s Wauwinet on the northeastern extreme, sitting pretty between Nantucket Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t miss exploring the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, with miles of pristine and untouched coastline. Another place that shouldn’t be missed is Great Point Lighthouse, which marks Nantucket’s northern end. The scenic Sankaty Head Lighthouse welcomed us to the adorable Sconset/Siasconset at Nantucket’s southeastern end.
We got to see the island’s rural side with cranberry bogs and rolling moors at Polpis, where cycling the 8-mile bike path was the best way to explore it. Finally, there’s Shawkemo tucked between Polpis and Nantucket Town. It’s one of the island’s hottest residential areas and is home to the gorgeous Shawkemo Highlands.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Nantucket?
- Bar Yoshi & O Bar: This historic Old South Wharf bar, which serves Asian-fusion-style cuisine, is particularly known for its sushi and raw bar selections. The cottage boathouse aesthetic is gorgeous, as is the menu and the whole vibe.
- Brant Point Grill: This restaurant is what makes Nantucket, well, Nantucket. Tucked within the stunning White Elephant Hotel, this place is perfect for drinks, coffee, and its regionally inspired New England fare, especially seafood. Plus, it’s also very centrally located, so what could be better?
Recommended Activities in Nantucket
- Beaches: Nantucket’s northern, southern, and eastern shores are home to some gorgeous beaches. Jetties Beach on the northern shores is not just close to the town but also has calmer waters, parking, a restaurant, and a playground. The family-friendly Surfside beach in the south has food trucks, snack bars, bike racks, parking, restrooms, and shuttle services. Finally, Pocomo Beach on the eastern shores has warm water and is great for kayaking.
- Nantucket Private Scavenger Hunt: What’s the most fun way to see Nantucket? A scavenger hunt, of course! We explored the island’s lesser-known gems by tackling wacky tasks and solving clues on this unique and fun scavenger hunt.
