Travel

Look inside Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha’s Vineyard, ranked the No. 1 resort in New England

It also ranked among the top hotels worldwide.

By Kristi Palma

July 18, 2024

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Email
• Email
• 1

A family-owned island getaway in Massachusetts is the No. 1 resort in New England, according to Travel + Leisure readers.

The publication recently released the results of its World’s Best Awards and Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha’s Vineyard ranked No. 1 in New England, No. 2 in the U.S., and No. 16 in the world.

“With 54 rooms and suites, plus cottages, townhouses, and three- and four-bedroom standalone rentals, it’s an ideal place to convene with a crowd,” wrote Travel + Leisure about the property.

The Edgartown resort is owned by Little Gem Resorts, a.k.a. the Snider family.

“Since 1968, we’ve carried on this tradition of hospitality in our corner of the island, bringing the personal and hospitable touch that only a family-owned and operated resort can offer,” wrote the family on the resort’s website.

Examples of the different types of rooms and suites at the resort include the Hotel Studio with a queen bed and a twin alcove bed; the Garden Studio with a king bed, kitchenette, and private patio; the Aquinnah Suite with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and kitchenette; and the Nobska Suite, which is comprised of three connecting suites and sleeps up to 15 people.

Guests can also book cottages, townhouses, duplexes, and private homes. The homes are located a short walk from South Beach and guests who stay there enjoy access to the resort’s activities and experiences.

“The property’s 11-acre grounds include all the classic beach-resort facilities — two heated pools, tennis courts, a fitness center — plus a full slate of activities, from toddler-friendly sensory play for the littlest guests to late-night beachfront clambakes for the grown-ups,” wrote Travel + Leisure.

Hungry travelers can dine at the resort’s Dunes restaurant, which offers oceanview dining from the deck. Open May through October, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can eat oysters, ceviche, lobster tacos, handmade pasta, steak, chicken, and more. Check out the menu.

“Winnetu’s staff are what make it so special: One reader highlighted chef Richard Doucette’s work at Dunes, the on-site restaurant, while another commented that ‘the service in every way was excellent’ across the whole of the property. All in all, as one guest put it, the Winnetu has assembled ‘a great team of hospitality professionals.'” wrote Travel + Leisure.

Clambakes, the resort’s most popular weekly event, are “a quintessential staple of summer on the Vineyard,” according to the website.

Guests can visit downtown Edgartown, full of restaurants, boutiques, and galleries, via a complimentary shuttle or water taxi through the scenic Katama Bay. They are also transported around the resort via two restored antique vehicles — a 1956 fire truck and an open-air 1931 Model A Ford bus.

The resort is dog friendly, and pet-friendly accommodations must be reserved in advance.