The summer vacationers have ferried their way back to the mainland and the kids have gone back to school, making now the perfect time to beat the crowds and savor autumn’s sublime weather on Martha’s Vineyard. Luckily, three new boutique Lark Hotels properties that opened there this summer are open late into the fall and even into the winter. Plus, each of the new hotels offers something different to travelers.
If you want funky family fun: Summercamp
Tucked among Oak Bluff’s colorful, fairytale-esque gingerbread cottages, Summercamp is an 95-room hotel with a vibe that’s true to its name. The whimsical hotel pays playful homage to nostalgic summer fun, from the quirky-yet-sophisticated décor—think kaleidoscopic arrays of badminton racquets mounted on the wall and artfully framed camp badges—to the movie and game room that’s packed with beanbag chairs, ping-pong tables, and retro games. Later, relax in a rocking chair on Summercamp’s sprawling, wraparound front port overlooking the ocean with an ice cream sandwich from its “Camp Cantina.”
70 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs, summercamphotel.com
Closes at the end of October, reopens for the season in May
If you want an island vibe: The Christopher
Decorated in a breezy, “The Vineyard meets Saint Barths” style, The Christopher is an urbane, 15-room hotel on a quiet side street in bustling Edgartown. There, relaxation is key, and nowhere is that more apparent than in its back courtyard, a private outdoor oasis that’s furnished with a cozy fire pit, comfy outdoor couches, and plenty of tables and chairs. There, guests can relax and mingle during the hotel’s BYOB mixer bar each afternoon. Guests also shouldn’t miss The Christopher’s delicious complimentary breakfast, which includes handmade, inventive dishes that put a twist on the traditional like bacon, goat cheese, and chive biscuits and chocolate-bacon breadsticks with chocolate ganache.
24 South Water Street, Edgartown, thechristophermv.com
Open through Christmas in Edgartown (December 11)
If you want historic romance: The Sydney
Housed in a renovated Victorian home built in 1892 by Captain Charles W. Fisher, The Sydney offers a romantic stay in very heart of downtown Edgartown, just steps from Water Street and the harbor. With only eight rooms, there’s an air of romantic intimacy at The Sydney (it’s a popular spot for couples to get engaged), but its cheekily elegant décor lets guests know that they’ve come here to have fun. Not only is The Sydney surrounded by great shopping and dining options, but it’s literally on top of one of the best restaurants in town: l’etoile restaurant, which is located downstairs. Guests can also enjoy a luxurious breakfast in bed with a breakfast basket delivered to their room.
22 North Water St, Edgartown, thesydneyhotel.com
Closes at the end of October, reopens for Christmas in Edgartown (December 8-11)