White Elephant, Nantucket

Location 

The island home of Melville’s Captain Ahab and First Mate Starbuck, Nantucket lies just 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, though so protective are the locals of its history and integrity that it may as well be thousands. It is, to this day, a world apart – a pristine enclave of old-money gentility and windswept natural beauty. The White Elephant commands one of the finest locations on the island, right by the harbour within walking distance of the town centre and the cobblestones and gas lamps of Petticoat Row.

Accommodation 

Opened in the 1920s, the hotel is a Nantucket favourite and offers stylish accommodation to suit different tastes and group sizes, from rooms and suites to garden cottages and spectacular in-town lofts. All are bathed in natural light and feature contemporary coastal décor, pieces of local art and sublime views. Even lead-in rooms have king-size beds, flatscreen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi and a private deck or patio. At the other end of the scale, the two modern lofts sit apart from the hotel and offer open-plan sitting, kitchen and dining areas and three bedrooms each.

Dining 

The Brant Point Grill, known affectionately as BPG, is a Nantucket locals’ favourite. And given its waterfront location and delectable dishes of steak and seafood it’s not hard to see why. Come breakfast, lunch or dinner, it’s the perfect place to watch the boats come and go on Nantucket Harbor. The BPG Bar is another alternative and serves excellent examples of New England clam chowder and Nantucket crab cakes. To keep with its seafaring traditions, the hotel also serves port and sherry in the afternoon, along with an admirable cheese plate.

Facilities 

Understandably, most facilities here focus on the spectacular harbour views. The full-service spa looks out at the water, as does the Harborside Lawn, decked out with white loungers for soaking up the sun. There’s also a library, where you can read about the island and the heroes it’s inspired, and a fleet of crewed yachts that can be hired for a harbour cruise, a beach picnic or a whale-watching trip to find your own Moby Dick.