60 Hours at the Edgar Hotel on Martha’s Vineyard

There’s something so New England charming about arriving on Martha’s Vineyard. Maybe it’s the salty air, the relaxed pace, or maybe it’s the sense that you’re about to experience the kind of trip that you don’t want to end. 

On our recent visit, we stayed at the Edgar Hotel, part of the Ascend Collection, in Edgartown. It turned out to be the perfect home base for exploring and relaxing. We had a two-bedroom suite with a full kitchen, living room, and all the thoughtful amenities you need for a really comfortable stay. 

The Edgar Hotel is centrally located. It’s about a 10-minute walk to historic downtown Edgartown. There you’ll find wonderful, quaint shops and restaurants. The hotel is also only about a mile away from the scenic Edgartown harbor and marina. And you’re only a little over a mile away from the famous Edgartown Lighthouse.

Our plan for exploring Martha’s Vineyard

We always make a plan when traveling, and then once we arrive and start exploring, the old plan disappears and a new plan develops.

Our plan was to stay for three nights and see as much of the island as we could. So we wanted to take our car. You don’t need a car, but it did make it easier when getting to and exploring the many nearby beaches.

Getting to Martha’s Vineyard

Since we were starting in Connecticut, we packed up the car and drove to Woods Hole, MA, where we had booked a ticket with the Steamship Authority for ourselves and our car. There are several different terminals on Martha’s Vineyard, but our ferry docked at Vineyard Haven. It’s about a 20-minute drive to the Edgar Hotel. And there are plenty of taxis if you don’t have a car. 

If you’re not bringing a car, there are many options available from various departure points. 

Four main ferries offer service to Martha’s Vineyard

• Steamship Authority: This ferry operates year-round and has passenger and vehicle service from Woods Hole, MA, to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs terminals.
• Hy-line Cruises: This ferry operates seasonally for passengers and leaves from Hyannis (Cape Cod) to the Oak Bluffs terminal.
• The Island Queen Ferry: This ferry operates seasonally for passengers and vehicles and leaves from Falmouth (Cape Cod) to the Oak Bluffs terminal.
• Seastreak Ferries: These ferries operate seasonally for passengers and run from either New Bedford, MA, or New York City to both the Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven terminals.

Staying at the Lovely Edgar Hotel

Whether you’re planning a stay as a couple, with family, or with friends, the Edgar Hotel is the perfect destination for a home base. 

The architecture of the hotel blends right in with the local coastal vibe. The hotel decor is nautical-inspired and features larger-than-average windows (letting in all that coastal sun), cathedral ceilings, and upgraded furniture. 

The hotel offers many different room configurations. Some have a microwave and a refrigerator, and others have outdoor space. We had a spacious two-bedroom suite that was super comfortable and had more than enough room to work or relax while we were there. 

Aside from being an upscale hotel, something that really stood out to me was the employees and the service. Everyone who worked there seemed genuinely happy and in a perpetually good mood – literally. And everywhere we went, people were unusually friendly. It’s something I hadn’t really expected, or even thought about. But it was very noticeable and refreshing.

Large living room

There was a large living room with a sofa and two big side chairs, a desk, and a large flat-screen TV. Several beautiful lamps and sconces provided soft lighting after the sun went down.

Two bedrooms

There was a primary bedroom and a secondary bedroom. Both were equipped with everything you need: an ironing board, a hand-held clothes steamer, bathrobes, and plenty of space. They brought fresh towels every morning.

Fully stocked kitchen and dining area

In the kitchen, we had a full-size refrigerator, a full oven/stove, a microwave, a dishwasher, and everything you needed to prepare a full meal. 

One day before heading to the beach, we made a fun lunch to take with us, including some cookies we had baked that morning.

The entryway

You entered our suite from the ground level with stairs that led up to the entire second floor of the building. There was even a coatrack for hanging our jackets and totes, and when coming and going. 

The Town Bar & Grill

Just steps away from our room was the hotel’s Town Bar & Restaurant. It’s a popular destination in the area for casual dining and is open daily for lunch and dinner. One evening, we sat outside on their patio and enjoyed a drink and dinner. We ordered their “Smash Burger” and a wonderfully fresh beet salad with goat cheese. Of course, if you’re in the mood for seafood, they have a great selection, including the “catch of the day”.

Nearby grocery store

Adjacent to the hotel property is a Stop & Shop grocery store, which we visited on several occasions to pick up a few supplies for our stay. 

Exploring Edgartown

Our original plan was to explore the entire island of Martha’s Vineyard. However, once we arrived and slowed down to island pace, we realized there was so much to see and do in Edgartown. And that’s where we stayed, and still didn’t have enough time to see and do everything. 

Jaws

Given that this year is the 50th Anniversary of the movie “Jaws”, you will see references to the movie and sharks in general, everywhere you go. After all, much of the movie was filmed here on the Vineyard.

Here are some highlights worth seeing and doing

These are just a few of the great places in Edgartown and just some of our favorite things. I’m sure you’ll find your own favorites on your trip, and we’d love to hear about them.

Among the Flowers Cafe

We stopped in at Among the Flowers Cafe two mornings in a row. They serve breakfast and lunch, and also offer takeout. Their coffee (specifically cappuccinos) was unusually good. And we couldn’t pass up on sharing one of their fresh cinnamon rolls one morning. It seemed like the kind of place where all the locals stopped in for a quick bite to eat.

The Edgartown Harbor and Marina

Edgartown was a major whaling center in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it has preserved some of its historical charm. Today, it’s known as a major yachting destination. 

The streets and shops of Edgartown

The town is full of boutique shops, cafes, and charming streets. As the shops end, the houses begin in a kind of seamless and charming way. 

The historic Edgartown Lighthouse

The Edgartown Harbor Light, as it is officially called, was first built to accommodate the large number of vessels coming in and out of the harbor during the whaling boom. It was damaged in a hurricane in 1938, and in 1939, it was replaced with the current structure. It’s open to the public daily from 10:00 to 4:00 – weather permitting.

Katama Beach

We were lucky enough to discover Katama Beach during our first afternoon of exploring. The next day, we packed our lunch and spent the entire afternoon relaxing and watching the waves crash on the shore, and the kids playing in the sand. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon.

On the way home, we discovered the Katama General Store and stopped in. It had everything you’d expect from an updated general store: wiffle balls and bats, s’more making kits, beer, wine, gourmet cheese, and many other things too numerous to mention.

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a long weekend with friends, the Edgar Hotel offers the ideal mix of comfort, convenience, and charm right in the heart of Edgartown. With spacious suites, friendly service, and an unbeatable location, it’s the kind of place that makes your Martha’s Vineyard experience even more memorable. We loved having the flexibility to explore at our own pace, knowing we had such a comfortable space to return to each night. If you’re planning a trip to the Vineyard, the Edgar Hotel—bookable through TripAdvisor—is truly a lovely place to start.