"Why book? It won't be a secret for long—this Nantucket hotel captures all of the island’s charms at a fraction of the price of the most well-known resorts. Set the scene: The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from Nantucket’s main stretch, which gives it a sense of coziness, but also as if you’ve stumbled across a hidden secret as you walk up. This is especially true if you arrive between the hours of 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., when the daily happy hour is ongoing and guests gather around fire pits in the beautifully appointed garden spaces. The backstory: Life House hotels was launched in Miami in 2018, with the goal of creating a tech-forward hotel brand that combines social-friendly touches (an app that allows you to meet fellow guests before your stay) and seamless back-end operations (for faster staff training and communication). CEO Rami Zeidan has expanded quickly since then, with properties in New England and Denver, and upcoming openings in Chattanooga, Brooklyn, and Bali. Each hotel is designed with the local vibe in mind, and in Nantucket that means taking a former captain’s home that dates back to the 1830s, and updating it with modern touches while still keeping the feel of a coastal-inspired inn where you’d want to relax after a long day on the water or cool off after a day lazing on the beach. The rooms: There are only 14 rooms at the hotel, and they’re all on the smaller size. But they’re beautifully decorated to resemble an innkeeper’s home, with floral patterns, velvet accessories, wicker furniture, and wood accents. The colorful tiles in the showers are a nice touch for an added whimsical feel. Food and drink: The hotel doesn’t have a full-service restaurant, but breakfast is included daily, with items like yogurt parfait and almond toast. Instead, there’s a big focus on the fantastic cocktail menu, from a mezcal and chile-infused aperol concoction to a mocktail made with Ghia and Nantucket blueberries. Eventually, the team hopes to install a grab-and-go minibar for beach snacks and other small bites. The neighborhood/area: Life House is located in a residential part of Nantucket, but it’s convenient to most of the island’s most popular sites. It’s a short walk or bike ride from the island’s main drag, as well as family-friendly beaches and the ferry dock. The service: The front desk and wait staff here are made up by the type of young, well-traveled type that you’d likely chat with at a bar to get recommendations for where to eat and hang out. In line with its tech-forward mission, guests can text the house manager for any requests (or go through the Life House iOS app). Since the hotel opened during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are plenty of signs and precautions everywhere, from mask signs to hand sanitizer stations, as well as clear messaging about the hotel’s cleaning procedures. Anything left to mention? One of Nantucket’s most appealing qualities is that you won’t need a car to get around. You can walk pretty much everywhere downtown in under 20 minutes, or if you want to explore further afield, rent a bike or hop on one of the island’s shuttles, which take you to other sites like Cisco’s Brewers or Madaket, the beach on the southwest side that’s ideal for catching the sunset." - Stephanie Wu
