Jared Coffin House

Originally built in 1845 by Jared Coffin as his family house, Jared Coffin House is one of the oldest inns in Nantucket. The Main Building’s interior has had renovations to give it a nice updated facelift that still fits with the architecture of the property. The common areas are elegant with decor that straddles the line between contemporary and historic.

Rooms come in all shapes and sizes, as is to be expected with historic inns, but most are comfortably spacious. Rooms facing the street may encounter noise at night, so light sleepers would do well to book a room facing the inside of the property. There are two buildings for guest rooms, but only the Daniel Webster House is open year-round.

The Nantucket Prime restaurant is a bit of a Nantucket hot spot. Though it bills itself as a steakhouse, it offers plenty of fresh seafood, as well as a late-night menu.

Located on a side street downtown, Jared Coffin House is walking distance to everything in the area -- shops, restaurants, and the Children's Beach -- which is good, because there isn’t much parking to be had downtown, especially during the busy summer months. The inn does have some limited parking available for guests who just can’t leave their cars home, however.

Nantucket is an island 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, next to Martha's Vineyard. While the Vineyard boasts some lovely homes, Nantucket's real estate puts it to shame. This is where the rich come to vacation, and the prices around town reflect that. Don't expect to run into the Hollywood crowd -- here it's more CEOs, politicians, and billionaire businessmen who have their second homes on the island. The atmosphere is relaxed, but polished at the same time.

Nantucket is about history and natural beauty. It features some of the highest concentration of Pre-Civil war structures and oldest operating windmill in U.S. You’ll find cobblestoned streets downtown (always fun to drive over), plenty of historic mansions converted into bed-and-breakfasts, and boutiques shilling expensive brand names. While the shopping and dining is fantastic, the beautiful beaches are probably the main allure. The southside beaches are key for surfers (Cisco is a local favorite), Madaket has phenomenal sunsets, Jetties is close to town and great for families, and Great Point Beach is accessible only by four-wheel drive.

There are a number of ferries to get to and from the island, but The Steamship Authority ferry from Hyannis is the only way to bring a car across the water, although travelers are strongly discouraged from bringing their cars. During the summer, when the population swells from 10,000 to 50,000 people, finding parking can be next to impossible. It's easier to rent a car once you're on the island (plus, the ferry fee for cars can range from $120-$200 each way depending on the season).

• 14-minute drive to Nantucket Memorial Airport
• 5-minute walk to downtown and Steamship Authority
• 15-minute drive to Madaket
• 15-minute drive to Cisco Beach
• 20-minute drive to Sankaty Head Lighthouse (Siasconset, or 'Sconset, as it's known by the locals)
• 1-hour fast ferry ride to Hyannis, MA on Hy-Line ferry from downtown Nantucket
• 2-hour and 15-minute ferry ride to Hyannis, MA on Steamship Authority ferry (the only one to carry cars to the island) from downtown Nantucket

Jared Coffin House has guest rooms in two buildings, the Main House and the Daniel Webster House. Both buildings are historic, and as such, the rooms are decorated in classic New England fashion fitting with the architecture. Floral wallpaper, patterned throw rugs, four-poster beds, and antique-type furnishings are common to all the rooms. While antique in feel, there are also modern features such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and luxury bath products. Because of the historic architecture, some of the rooms and bathrooms are quite small.

A note for travelers coming during the island’s off season: Only the Daniel Webster house is open year-round. And when the Main House closes for the season, so does the on-site restaurant, Brick Bistro.

• Free coffee, tea and breakfast pastries every morning
• Most rooms include air conditioning
• Free Wi-Fi
• Flat-screen TVs
• Dated AM/FM radio alarm clocks
• Small walk-in showers; tiny tubs in some rooms
• The single rooms (with a twin bed) are small and without air conditioning.

• Free coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries every morning
• Free coffee, juice, and cookies every afternoon
• Access to the full-service spa with Serenity room at sister property, White Elephant hotel
• Free guest parking available
• Free Wi-Fi
• Computer and printer available for guest use in the lobby area
• View Full List of Amenities

Nantucket Prime offers bistro fare prepared with fresh organic ingredients in a sophisticated setting. It's open for lunch and dinner, and guests can enjoy their meal inside at the restaurant or lounge, or outside on the terrace. It also serves a late night menu with light bites and cocktails.