Startle

Some people have to bring their own soap, while others insist on bringing a teddy bear along of the trip. But no matter what you think, here are five things you must pack for a stay at the Wauwinet:

1. Bathing suit: A must for the island’s beautiful beaches and water activities, such as surfing and kayaking.

2. Light jacket: For the cool ocean breezes; make it waterproof in case rain comes into play during your visit.

3. Sailing/resort wear: Cape Cod is all about summer casual cool, but still maintains an air of style. Docksiders, bright polos, lightweight shirts for men and summer print dresses for women will keep you comfy and chic.

4. Comfortable shoes: Keep the stilettos out of your suitcase for this trip�you don’t want to get caught in the cobblestones! Make sure your footwear will allow you to comfortably navigate the picturesque, but uneven cobblestone-and-brick streets of Nantucket Town or hit the road for a bike ride.

5. Camera: Every sight is postcard perfect on the island. Take pictures of the beach from the patio and terrace, and don’t forget to capture the full view from the bench at the end of the dock facing the beautiful inn and its cozy lawn area with wicker lounge furniture. In Nantucket Town, the sailboats in the wharves, the quaint and traditional facades of the stores on Main Street and the gorgeous and uniquely Nantucket style of the wooden-thatched homes are all sights you must capture during your vacation. Head to Broad Street and to the top of the Whaling Museum for a bird’s eye view of the town; the $17 admission is well worth it for the opportunity to enjoy the sights and peer into the island’s whaling history.

The Wauwinet offers you some of the best luxury you’ll find in all of Cape Cod. But to give you a better idea of what to expect, here’s our list of the five best amenities at the inn:

1. Continental breakfast: You’re going to need fuel for your day, whether you decide to browse the boutiques in town, lie on the beach or go for a scenic bike ride around the island. Luckily, your room rate includes the continental breakfast at TOPPER’S restaurant, available from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. each morning. The delicious spread consists of appetizingly plated fresh melon, berries, an assortment of cereals and yogurt alongside freshly baked rolls and platters of cured Italian meats and smoked salmon. If you have a taste for the sweeter side of breakfast, help yourself to a muffin or a chocolate croissant. Enjoy the picturesque bay view from the adjacent outdoor deck while you dine — an idyllic way to begin your day.

2. Schedule of activities: The Wauwinet offers a staggering variety of activities, most of which are fully included in the room rate. Activities are offered Monday through Friday, and with options including mountain biking, historic walking tours and culinary demonstrations. Learn how to bring in lobsters from the Atlantic on the inn’s boat, the Wauwinet Lady, or try surfcasting, a specialized type of fishing. With other water-based activities such as surfing, kayaking and sailing, you might forget to come ashore!

3. Shuttle service: A car is a convenient way to get around most of the time, but we suggest leaving your wheels at home when visiting the Wauwinet. The inn’s shuttle service runs hourly from the Wauwinet’s front door to the information center in the heart of Nantucket Town. The shuttle drivers are also a great resource and can kindly point you in the right direction after dropping you off in the town.

4. Library: A roaring fireplace, board games, playing cards, a selection of books, a catalog of over 200 DVDs�the Wauwinet has indoor activities covered as outdoor activities. Curl up with a novel, work on a puzzle or play a game of chess to wind down after a day of sightseeing.

5. Port, sherry and cheese: Aside from the convenient amenities readily available in the inn’s library, the cozy space offers another reason to stop by: the nightly port, sherry and cheese hour. From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. each evening, the inn provides an excellent cheese and fruit platter for you, as well as pre-poured snifters of port and dry sherry.

Narrowing down to the five things to love most about the Wauwinet isn’t easy work, but somebody’s gotta do it. Here are the five things we love most about the property:

1. Restful atmosphere: The sweet sound of peace and quiet! The Wauwinet is located nine miles about outside of Nantucket Town in a secluded part of the island. The inn has only 32 rooms and suites and doesn’t allow children under the age of 12. There are few residential homes near the property, giving you plenty of space to enjoy the area.

2. The bay and ocean views: The inn has two separate beaches, which allow you two options for beach time. The beach closer to the hotel is the bay side beach, while the other beach faces the Atlantic.

3. Activities: There’s always something to do, such as biking or playing tennis on the tennis courts on the grounds.

4. Prepared for sun or rain: The inn has island life down to a science�it’s fully prepared for the sunniest of days, but with plenty of gear to help you stay dry in the rain. Raincoats, wellies and umbrellas are available to help you brave the elements. Should you decide to stay in, the inn’s library offers plenty of rainy-day activities to pass the time.

5. Knowledgeable staff: From the concierge and the restaurant staff to the shuttle drivers, the staff are always ready to discuss the day’s weather, the available activities, or the best dishes to order at TOPPER’S. The concierge staff have an extensive knowledge of the island as well and can easily offer suggestions on the best dining, bars and sites in town.

During our visit to the Wauwinet, the concierge staff was instrumental in helping us plan our trip. They readily suggested a range of dining options and activities in Nantucket Town to keep us busy from breakfast to bedtime. The concierge can make dining reservations at the most popular restaurants on the island and recommend the best of dishes on the menu. Concierge tip: Order the wok-fried lobster at the Pearl. It’ll likely be the best thing you eat on the island! Our concierge pointed out some of the excellent watering holes in town, too: Town and the Boarding House outdoor areas for drinks and appetizers, and Corazon del Mar for margaritas. Take advantage of the concierge staff—you’ll make the most of your time on Nantucket! They can easily arrange or provide information about any other activities aside from the offerings at the Wauwinet, such as the Whaling Museum, the India Street art galleries and shopping at the Main Street boutiques.