Arrival/Check-In: The White Elephant Hotel is not a drive-up destination, so the arrival experience begins at the ferry terminal or airport where a hotel shuttle meets incoming guests. My husband, Kevin, and I arrived on a scheduled ferry for the final weekend of the season during Nantucket Stroll, the island’s holiday celebration. It was early December and the crossing from Hyannis to Nantucket was crisp but pleasant. We’ve visited Nantucket in spring, summer and fall, but this winter weekend felt different — a welcome change of pace. As the ferry rounded into the harbor and passed the wreath-adorned Brant Point Lighthouse, I felt a small thrill. The shuttle driver greeted us at baggage claim and we took a short, warm ride to the hotel. Check-in was efficient and we were in our room within minutes.
Guest Quarters: Our first-floor suite had a private deck outside the sitting area that faced a neighboring private home, with an angle view of the harbor around the corner. It was too chilly to sit outside, but even in summer we’d choose this location for its privacy rather than a direct harbor-facing room. The suite opened into a welcoming vestibule. A dressing area and a large closet to the right led to a compact but functional bathroom. Continuing through the vestibule brought us into a cozy sitting area with a couch and desk on the left and a comfortable chair tucked into the far corner. On the immediate right, a large flat-screen television rested on a cabinet that housed the minibar. The bedroom was spacious and inviting, centered around a king-sized bed dressed in high-quality linens.
Services and Amenities: The White Elephant operates seasonally from mid-April through the Christmas Stroll weekend. Although our stay took place on the final weekend of the season, the level of service felt consistently high. We appreciated the simple conveniences: a complimentary morning coffee and pastry service that suited our casual approach to breakfast. I slipped into yoga pants and a T-shirt to bring a light continental-style breakfast back to the room. The hotel’s location makes it easy to walk into Nantucket’s town center to shop, dine and enjoy special events. On one evening, when we were running late for a reservation at a time when restaurants are often booked months ahead, the complimentary shuttle was a welcome and timely convenience.
The Experience: The hotel’s name — White Elephant — reportedly stems from an earlier reputation as a costly or underused property, but that notion no longer applies. Today the White Elephant is a handsome, well-maintained hotel offering upscale service. It presents a polished, five-star feel and plays a prominent role in Nantucket’s seasonal calendar; for example, the property typically reopens in mid-April, just ahead of the island’s Daffodil Festival.
GT Checklist
- Doorman/Valet
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Separate tub and shower
- Large vanity
- 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
White Elephant Hotel
50 Easton St.
Nantucket, MA 02554
tel 508 228 2500
whiteelephanthotel.com