Family Accommodations

Top Family-Friendly Hotels

These hotels and resorts go above and beyond to welcome families, offering the amenities and services that make vacationing with children enjoyable for everyone.

• 1

  Nantucket Hotel & Resort

  77 Easton Street, Downtown

  The island's most family-oriented resort, the Nantucket Hotel offers everything parents dream of: a heated outdoor pool, complimentary kids' programs during summer months, and rooms that actually accommodate families. Their children's activities include arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and supervised beach time, giving parents a chance to relax. Family suites provide separate sleeping areas, and the on-site restaurant is welcoming to children. The location is ideal - walkable to town and a short distance to Children's Beach, which has calm water perfect for little ones. They provide cribs, rollaway beds, and high chairs upon request.

• 2

  White Elephant Resort

  50 Easton Street, Harborfront

  While known for luxury, White Elephant is surprisingly family-friendly with spacious suites and cottages that give families room to breathe. The harborfront location provides beautiful views and easy access to the calm waters near Children's Beach. Their family suites feature separate living areas, some with kitchenettes, and the resort offers bike rentals, making it easy to explore with older children. The Brant Point Grill has a children's menu, and staff can arrange babysitting services. During summer, they occasionally offer family-oriented activities and movie nights.

• 3

  The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin

  Old South Wharf, Waterfront

  These waterfront cottage rentals offer the best of both worlds: hotel-style service with the space and privacy of a vacation rental. Each cottage includes a full kitchen, living area, and washer/dryer - game-changers for families. The location on the working waterfront is endlessly entertaining for kids who love boats, and you're steps from downtown shops and restaurants. Cottages range from one to three bedrooms, and many have outdoor space. It's an ideal choice for families who want to cook some meals but appreciate having housekeeping and concierge services available.

• 4

  Vacation Rentals

  Various Locations Island-Wide

  For larger families or those staying a week or more, a vacation rental is often the best choice. You'll get multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, outdoor space, and usually much more square footage than any hotel. This means kids can have their own rooms, you can prepare breakfast and pack beach lunches, and everyone has space to decompress. Popular family rental areas include Surfside (beach access), the Cliff area (quiet, near Jetties Beach), and mid-island locations (affordable, central). Book through VRBO, Airbnb, or local agencies like Lee Real Estate, Fisher Real Estate, or Great Point Properties. Start looking 6+ months ahead for summer rentals.

What Families Need in Accommodations

When booking for a family trip, prioritize these features to ensure a comfortable stay:

Multiple Bedrooms

Kids sleep better in their own space, and so do parents. For families with children of different ages, separate bedrooms are especially important. Many hotel suites offer a bedroom plus a pullout sofa in the living area, which works well for younger children. For larger families, vacation rentals with 3-4 bedrooms provide the space everyone needs.

Kitchen or Kitchenette

The ability to prepare at least some meals is invaluable for families. A full kitchen lets you make breakfast, pack beach lunches, and handle dinner on nights when everyone's too tired to go out. Even a kitchenette with a microwave and mini-fridge helps with snacks and simple meals. This also saves significant money on Nantucket, where restaurant dining is expensive.

Outdoor Space

A patio, deck, or yard gives kids a place to burn off energy without disturbing other guests. It's also where you'll enjoy evening drinks after the kids are in bed, rather than being trapped in a hotel room. Many vacation rentals include outdoor showers - perfect for rinsing off sandy children before they track the beach inside.

Pool or Beach Access

A pool is a huge plus for families, providing entertainment when kids need a break from the beach or on rare cloudy days. Only a few Nantucket hotels have pools, so if this is important, choose accordingly. Alternatively, prioritize proximity to calm-water beaches like Jetties or Children's Beach where young swimmers can safely play.

Cribs and Rollaway Beds

Traveling with babies or young children means needing cribs and sometimes extra beds. Most hotels offer cribs and rollaways upon request at no charge, but availability can be limited - always reserve these when booking. For vacation rentals, some owners provide pack-and-plays, or you can rent baby equipment from companies like Nantucket Baby Rentals.

Laundry Access

Kids generate laundry, especially on beach vacations. In-unit or on-site laundry facilities prevent you from packing a week's worth of clothes for everyone. Most vacation rentals include washer/dryers, while hotels typically have guest laundry rooms or laundry service (for a fee).

Best Areas for Families

Location matters when traveling with kids. Here are the best neighborhoods for family stays:

Near Jetties Beach

Jetties Beach is the premier family beach on Nantucket, with calm water, lifeguards, a playground, restrooms, and a snack bar. Staying within walking or biking distance means you can pop back for naps, avoid parking hassles, and make multiple beach trips per day. The Cliff neighborhood and northern edge of downtown offer good rental options in this area. The Nantucket Hotel is also just a short walk away.

Downtown Nantucket

Staying downtown puts you within walking distance of restaurants, ice cream shops, the Whaling Museum, and the ferry. This is ideal for families without a car or those who prefer not to drive constantly. Kids can safely explore the cobblestone streets, and you're never far from Children's Beach. Hotels here include the Nantucket Hotel and White Elephant. Rentals downtown are limited but available.

Surfside Area

Surfside is Nantucket's most popular beach, with big waves, a surf school, and excellent facilities. The neighborhood surrounding the beach has many vacation rentals at relatively affordable prices (by Nantucket standards). You'll need bikes or a car to reach town, but the beach access makes up for it. This area works best for families with older, water-confident children who can handle ocean waves.

Mid-Island

The central part of the island offers more affordable rentals, larger properties, and easy access to both town and beaches via bike paths. You'll need transportation, but many families appreciate having more space and a quieter setting. This is a good choice for families prioritizing budget and outdoor space over walkability.

Budget Considerations for Families

Nantucket isn't cheap, but smart planning can help manage costs for family travel:

Accommodation Costs

Summer rates for family-suitable accommodations typically range from $400-800 per night for hotels with suites, and $3,000-10,000+ per week for vacation rentals, depending on size and location. Shoulder season (May, September, October) offers significant savings - often 30-50% less than peak summer rates.

When to Book

For summer weeks, especially around July 4th and August, book vacation rentals 6-12 months in advance. Hotels can sometimes be booked closer to travel dates, but the most family-friendly properties fill up quickly. Last-minute deals are rare in summer but possible in shoulder season.

Money-Saving Strategies

• Choose a rental with a kitchen and prepare most breakfasts and lunches at home
• Visit in June or September when rates drop and weather is still lovely
• Consider mid-island locations for lower rental costs
• Take the ferry instead of flying - it's cheaper and an adventure for kids
• Rent bikes instead of a car if staying close to town
• Pack beach gear from home rather than buying or renting on-island