Arrival/Check-In: We pulled up to the Harbor View Hotel on Martha’s Vineyard on a perfect late-summer New England day. Noticing it was extremely busy, I assumed it would be a long, tedious check-in. My fears were soon allayed as two doormen warmly greeted me and directed me to the reception desk. The employee who handled check-in was equally pleasant and had the task completed in a matter of minutes.

The lobby is located in the spacious and beautifully decorated main building, which has a welcoming wraparound porch that affords guests a magnificent view of Edgartown Harbor. The hotel restaurant is also housed in this building, with a view of the harbor from many tables. It was a nice start to what would be a wonderful weekend stay.

Guest Quarters: We entered our second-floor suite and immediately noticed it was bathed in sunlight and beautifully decorated. The color scheme of the two main rooms was aqua and white, perfect for this island setting. The suite included a separate bedroom and living room, and there was also a small room equipped with a microwave, a small refrigerator, dishes and silverware. I noticed there was no stove and thought that would have been a real plus if guests wanted to enjoy a home-cooked meal.

The living area had a comfortable sofa and chairs along with a large HD TV. A tasteful dining room set occupied the other half of this room. The three exterior walls were lined with windows that could be opened to naturally cool the room.

The spacious bedroom had a large HD TV and a cozy sitting area. The king-sized bed was extremely comfortable. A porch, accessible from either the bedroom or living area, was a great spot to sit and enjoy a beverage; it even had an outside shower for rinsing off after a day at the beach.

Services/Amenities: The Harbor View offers two distinct dining options. Water Street features fine dining with beautiful views of Edgartown Lighthouse and the harbor. We enjoyed a delicious dinner here. Henry’s Hotel Bar is cozy and provides a more casual dining experience.

Impeccably manicured grounds surround the outdoor pool. If you prefer a beach, there are many beautiful ones to visit on the Vineyard. The hotel offers four meeting rooms, and I learned that management hopes to update the meeting facilities in the near future. Although the hotel does not have a spa, the concierge was able to recommend one nearby.

The Experience: I had an enjoyable stay at the Harbor View Hotel. The staff gave me the sense I was the only one staying there. They were attentive to my every need and question. Downtown Edgartown, with numerous restaurants and shops, is only a five-minute walk from the hotel and is a must to check out. I have been to Martha’s Vineyard many times, but this was my first stay at the Harbor View — now I know what I have been missing all these years.

GT Checklist

• Doorman/Valet
• Less than 10 minutes for check-in
• Separate tub and shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Powerful, unattached hair dryer
• High-quality bed linens
• Large, flat-screen television
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Complimentary in-room WiFi
• Complimentary bottled water
• Stocked minibar
• Ample lighting
• In-room coffeemaker
• Iron and ironing board
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• Large, complimentary laptop safe
• State-of-the-art fitness center

Harbor View Hotel

131 N. Water St.
Edgartown, MA 02539
tel 508 627 7000
harbor-view.com