An Iconic Martha's Vineyard Hotel Was Transformed Into an Upscale Boutique Property — Read Our Review

Faraway Martha’s Vineyard opened this summer with a beautiful pool, delicious sushi restaurant, and more.

This summer, Faraway Martha’s Vineyard opened its doors after an extensive renovation that transformed a historic Edgartown hotel into a luxe getaway. Faraway Martha’s Vineyard honors the property’s history as a beloved vacation spot while introducing a new, upscale experience in the heart of this charming town, and I was among the first to check it out this July.

This is Faraway’s second location; the boutique hotel brand opened its first property, 62-room  Faraway Nantucket, in summer of 2021. The hotels share a refined, breezy island feel with vintage touches, but their design stories are unique. For Faraway Martha’s Vineyard, the team (including owners Blue Flag Partners and design firm Workshop/APD) took inspiration from the free-spirited artistic aesthetics of the 1960s and ‘70s. They built a mythos surrounding an imaginary Martha’s Vineyard woman who grew up on the island in the ‘60s, tending to her garden and entertaining guests in her colorful, creative space. That story is evident in the property's thoughtful touches: record players with stacks of James Taylor and Carly Simon records, a perfectly eclectic lobby featuring shelves packed with books and vases, and lush landscaping that includes lots of flowers and greenery.

Faraway Martha’s Vineyard fits right in on the oh-so-quaint streets of Edgartown with its classic shingle-style buildings and hydrangea bushes. But once you step into the hotel’s lobby, it’s clear this isn’t your average island inn. I loved the lobby’s bohemian mid-century design and the colorful dried floral displays that seemed to explode from the shelves that stretched up to the ceiling. The hotel is just steps from Edgartown’s shops, galleries, and cafes, and when I wasn’t out walking around the adorable town, I was unwinding in the roomy hot tub or lazing in a poolside cabana. It’s also home to two completely different – but absolutely delicious — dining experiences. You can find pub favorites in a historic setting at the popular Newes From America or dine on expertly crafted sushi rolls and tasty cocktails at the outdoor Pelican Club.

Faraway Martha’s Vineyard

• Prime location in the heart of charming Edgartown

• Dining at the historic Newes From America and trendy Pelican Club

• Variety of room types perfect for friends, families, and couples

• Upscale bohemian design influenced by a fascinating backstory

The property will close for the season in December before reopening in 2024, so there’s still time to plan a fall getaway — it’s a great time to take advantage of lower prices and fewer crowds on Martha’s Vineyard.

Here’s our review of Faraway Martha’s Vineyard.

Related: Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite Resorts in New England of 2023

The Rooms

The hotel’s 58 guest rooms are spread out across a campus of fully renovated houses surrounding the pool and sun deck. Kelley House is the largest, with a number of king and double rooms and suites. This is also where you’ll find the hotel’s accessible rooms (the property's renovation included the addition of accessible guest rooms and common spaces). Carriage House, Chappy House, Court House, Wheel House, and Mizzentop offer a range of room sizes and layouts, including suites with bunk beds that are ideal for families with young kids or groups of friends and multi-bedroom suites with full kitchens and washing machines.

I stayed in the Chappy House Premium King Studio Suite, which features a lovely open-concept space with a lounge area, a kitchenette with a Nespresso machine, and a marble bathroom with a soaking tub and Byredo amenities. This top-floor suite also has a large private balcony overlooking the resort and beautiful views of Chappaquiddick Island across the harbor.

Food and Drink

Faraway Martha’s Vineyard has two dining venues: The Newes From America and The Pelican Club. Dating back to 1742, The Newes From America has been a local institution for centuries. Today, diners can enjoy British pub favorites like fish and chips or peri peri chicken, or opt for New England specialties like lobster rolls and fisherman’s chowder. With cozy wood-paneled rooms and outdoor patio seats, it's the perfect spot to grab a cold beer or cocktail after a day in the sun.

The Pelican Club is a swanky outdoor sushi spot with a lush, island-inspired vibe that serves up tasty cocktails alongside small plates, sushi, and sashimi (I loved the crispy rice as well as the Pelican roll).

Experiences and Amenities

At the center of the resort sits a gorgeous pool and large hot tub, surrounded by a sun deck with loungers and cabanas perfect for sunny days on the island. There’s also a fitness center overlooking the pool, a snack shack, and Wheat, a retail space offering island-inspired finds and adorable Faraway merch.

The Location

Located in the heart of charming Edgartown, Faraway Martha’s Vineyard is just steps away from the ice cream shops, seafood shacks, historic homes, and boutique shops that make this corner of the island such a beloved destination. You can reach the best of the town on foot, including the nearby Edgartown Harbor Light and Lighthouse Beach, and the Chappaquiddick Island ferry is also a short walk away.

Faraway Martha’s Vineyard is a 15-minute drive from Martha’s Vineyard Airport (MVY), with flights on American, Cape Air, Delta, JetBlue, and Tradewind. You can also reach Martha’s Vineyard via ferry from various locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Note that many of these ferries and flights only operate seasonally, so check the schedules before planning your trip.

Finding the Best Value

If you want to score a deal on your next Martha’s Vineyard trip, consider planning your island getaway for the shoulder season, when you can expect fewer crowds and off-peak pricing. Rooms at Faraway Martha’s Vineyard start at $695. 

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