Inside Look: White Elephant Loft at 32 Main, Nantucket

Nantucket has to be one of my all-time favorite places to visit. I have had some incredible memories there with my husband and friends, especially at the shabby-chic hotel The Wauwinet and the Nantucket Golf Club in Siasconset. The cobblestoned streets (best to leave your heels at home!), charming stores and restaurants lining up and around Main Street, historic buildings (fact: Nantucket has the largest concentration of historic buildings, many pre-dating the Civil War, in the U.S.) and beautiful beaches along with an old-fashioned all-american feel of the island makes it an idyllic place to visit.

I look forward to introducing our children to the island soon and when I do, I will definitely be checking into the White Elephant’s just-opened Loft on 32 Main Street – a sublime place for any family or group to rest their feet.

The White Elephant, ranked as one of the Top 50 Small Hotels in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler, has long been one of the most coveted accommodations to get on this island since the hotel opened in the 1920s and is by far the largest hotel on the island with 66 rooms, suites and cottages.

Now, the White Elephant has added another accommodation style to the collection with the introduction of a 2,500 square-foot pied-à-terre-style 3-bedroom loft, located on the 2nd floor in a historic brick building right in the heart of town. Ideal for those looking for a more residential experience, The Loft on 32 Main also possesses the attractive feature of being located in the heart of the village and within easy walking distance of nearby beaches and ferry landings.

The location is not the only thing this luxurious Loft has going for it. The “Nantucket modern” decor with white oak floors throughout and soft furnishings in a warm and neutral palette are right up our alley (and even more appealing is that it’s all BRAND NEW). The floor plan offers a spacious living room with a fireplace opening to a full kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, such as a Sub-Zero fridge and wine fridge. But by far my favorite feature is the 50-foot-long picture windows allowing you to overlook the activities happening on picturesque Main Street.

Each of the three bedrooms have a private bath complete with heated floors and rain showers (plus a soaking tub in the master bath). Nice. A more private den/TV room is also part of the floor plan. Very nice. And let’s not forget a washer and dryer to wash all those bathings suits. The hotel has spared no expense in adding the little touches that matter: here, you will find linens by Pratesi, plush Turkish towels, and cozy bathrobes. But wait, there’s more.

Excellent service has always been the trademark of the White Elephant and loft guests can be comforted to know they receive the same service as hotel guests. Loft guests have use of the same concierge as hotel guests, essential for pre-arrival assistance (gotta stock that fridge!) and hard-to-get restaurant reservations. Guests of the Loft also have access to the heated pool, cabanas and fitness center at the White Elephant Village (White Elephant’s sister hotel), a short walking distance from the Loft as well as maid service, complimentary beach shuttle, and complimentary cruise to Topper’s restaurant (located at its other sister hotel, the Wauwinet). Oh, and yes there is complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.

Many view Nantucket as predominantly a Summer destination, where days are spent on the many beaches on the island when children are out of school for vacation. But September and October is by far my favorite time to go when the island is free of the hordes of tourists, the festivals are abundant, and the weather is sunny and crisp. At the time of this post, there is still availability from 8/21 and on. If you are still looking to make last minute plans for the end of the summer  – listen up: book 5 nights or more and receive a complimentary 4-hour cruise on a Hinckley yacht!

Rates for the 3-BR loft range from $1,800 to $3,700 per night  – For more information visit www.whitelephanthotel.com or call Gina Forte at Atelier Group at ginaforte@ateliergrp.com and mention Inviato for the best current offers.