Winnetu Oceanside Resort, Martha’s Vineyard
History is never far away on this fabled island off the coast of Massachusetts—from the colorful Victorian gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs to the stately 19th-century homes of whaling captains in Edgartown to the quaint lighthouses to its antique carousel. That same sense of Martha’s Vineyard heritage suffuses Winnetu Oceanside Resort. The classic American summer getaway channels the spirit of New England’s old-timey seaside resorts.
Here, the romantic nostalgia of summers gone by is conjured with nightly s’mores at the firepits, clambakes on the front lawn each Wednesday evening and joy rides on the resort’s fully restored antique vehicles: a 1956 pumper fire truck and an open-air, wood-paneled 1931 Model A Ford bus. There’s also a water taxi that ferries guests to and from downtown Edgartown with its boutiques, art galleries and farm-to-table restaurants.
Winnetu (“beautiful” in the language of the island’s Wampanoag tribe) celebrates its 25th anniversary at the island’s choice location, a sprawling property located just steps from Katama Beach, a three-mile barrier beach that faces south for all-day sun.
The property’s coastal-styled accommodations include 58 suites, studios and private cottages, each equipped with kitchenettes and separate living areas, plus 80 private townhouses and single-family homes available on a weekly basis.
Beyond lounging with a good book at the beach all day, the resort offers two heated swimming pools, tennis courts, yoga and a fitness center, plus a popular children’s program. Oyster enthusiasts can indulge in an immersive experience at Katama Bay’s renowned oyster farm. Signature Oysters offers guests private tours where they can meet farmers, tour the bay and sample the freshest oysters on the island.
The resort also has a MINI Cooper Countryman for exploring up-island sites such as the picturesque clay cliffs at Aquinnah and the Gay Head Lighthouse on the western tip of the island. The quaint fishing village of Menemsha was home to Quint’s shack in Jaws, another piece of history. Steven Spielberg made this the location of that quintessential summer blockbuster 50 years ago.
