White Elephant Nantucket

Booked a 3-night stay at the White Elephant July 28-31st 2024 for a belated birthday getaway for my husband. We stayed in the Harborside Hotel in a Harborview Room with King Bed Deck or Patio for $2195/night (not inclusive of additional taxes). The rate was offensive given the room size,...

Booked a 3-night stay at the White Elephant July 28-31st 2024 for a belated birthday getaway for my husband. We stayed in the Harborside Hotel in a Harborview Room with King Bed Deck or Patio for $2195/night (not inclusive of additional taxes). The rate was offensive given the room size, amenities and service. Check-in felt like being processed, no warm smiles or inquiries about what brings us to Nantucket. We were able to access the room around 1p Sunday and found it sparsely appointed and lacking the amenities of a luxury hotel. There were two cans of still water in the mini fridge, no fresh fruit or treats to be found, dated stereo (not Bose or Bang & Olufsen bluetooth), nary a throw blanket to be found in the room, tiny bathroom i.e. the bathroom door and shower cannot open simultaneously or they knock each other, L'Occitane toiletries are installed in the shower wall for refills instead of the usual travel size bottles you'd expect at high end resorts. On the upside the pillows, mattress and sheets were quality. Sunday morning we dined at Brant Point Grill which offered a $75 per person open brunch menu (a la carte not being offered for brunch). The omelette station had someone standing next to a plugged in wok with bowls of all pre-cooked veggies and sides: pre-sauteed spinach, pre-sauteed onions, pre-cooked red peppers, etc so nothing added to the omelette besides the eggs and cheese was freshly cooked which was reflected in the taste. Sunday night we had a reservation at Straight Wharf. It was pouring when we left the hotel and there were no umbrellas to be found in our room. When we arrived the lobby no one opened the front door or offered an umbrella to get us to the car. We were told "the car is waiting outside" so we let ourselves out in to the pouring rain went to and from the car in the rain and arrived dinner soaking wet. As an aside, dinner at Straight Wharf was phenomenal and the highlight of our stay. There is complimentary early risers coffee and breakfast snacks offered at Brant Point Grill from 7-10a daily and the coffee was hit or miss (my husband wakes early and would go at 7a and then again later for a refresh). Excellent morning coffee should be an essential staple at a luxury hotel. Sometimes it was ok other times we dumped it and walked to town for a fresh cup. The fireplace in our room was in need of repair. It operated on a timer and it would shut off mid-timer and could not be relit. Monday night we asked someone to repair it and the tech who came to the room let us know the igniter needed to be replaced which would involve him taking the fireplace out of the wall something we decided to hold off on until the next day. The next morning we called and asked about the fireplace repair repeating what the technician told us that the ignitor needed to be replaced. We were told no problem it could be handled while we were out. We came back after 2 hours and turned the fireplace on and it again went out 15 minutes after turning it on and couldn't be turned on again. Clearly the report from the serviceman from Monday night didn't make it to whoever was in charge Tuesday morning and my stating that the ingnitor needed to be replaced fell on deaf ears. We used the hotel bikes one day to bike to Downeyflake. The bike attendant appeared bothered that we needed assistance to get the bikes. My husband was given a bike with a deflated tire and when we asked for a new one the attendant was clearly off-put. The vast majority of employees lacked the genial demeanor and competence (ex. providing an umbrella in a rain storm) expected at a resort with these prices. Katie at the concierge desk was lovely. She was the only employee I came across that provided assistance with a smile and seemed eager to provide service and give knowledgeable answers to any questions I had about beaches, biking, town etc. Overall service and amenities were far too lacking to justify the cost of our stay. The hotel needs a refresher course on hospitality. A fruit bowl and comfy throw blanket in the rooms wouldn't hurt either.

Love the White Elephant, we just returned from a 5 night stay. It was just as good as last year. We requested the same room in advance and got it. Check in was great as room was ready at 1pm. Service was great with everyone we encountered. We love the...

Love the White Elephant, we just returned from a 5 night stay. It was just as good as last year. We requested the same room in advance and got it. Check in was great as room was ready at 1pm. Service was great with everyone we encountered. We love the location as we were able to walk most everywhere we wanted to go. The pool was nice with very friendly staff. One hiccup was the air conditioner went out in the entire hotel for about 15 hrs but we were out most of the time except to shower and sleep and they brought us a fan and we opened windows. It was fixed quickly considering they had to get repairs from mainland.

Echoing most of the prior reviews regarding poor service, particularly in light of the cost. Had a lovely stay last summer and was eager to return this summer. Days after booking online, received an email from the hotel that they would not accept our infant. The reservations staff were unhelpful,...

Echoing most of the prior reviews regarding poor service, particularly in light of the cost. Had a lovely stay last summer and was eager to return this summer. Days after booking online, received an email from the hotel that they would not accept our infant. The reservations staff were unhelpful, condescending, and unapologetic. Although the grounds are beautiful and the location is superb, money is better spent somewhere that embraces hospitality and values their customers.

Peaceful place. Good rooms. Good food. Poor concierge. For the cost of the stay, one would expect at least some basic knowledge of how to help with reservations, excursions, etc. Coordination prior to arrival and ability to help on-site was very poor.

The experience was excellent from the time we walked in to the time we walked out! The staff was beyond friendly and helpful. Big fan of the decor in the rooms, especially the pillows! Our waterfront view was amazing, even in the off season. Walking distance to everywhere we wanted....

The experience was excellent from the time we walked in to the time we walked out! The staff was beyond friendly and helpful. Big fan of the decor in the rooms, especially the pillows! Our waterfront view was amazing, even in the off season. Walking distance to everywhere we wanted. Dinner at Brant Point Grill was incredible. I highly recommend the lobster Mac and cheese! Great experience and we will definitely be back!

Place was amazing even when it wasn't summertime. Went right before thanksgiving and was great. Gave us great ideas of where to go and where to eat while walking around town. Always offered us help for whatever we needed. Highly recommend no matter the time of year. Will definitely be...

Place was amazing even when it wasn't summertime. Went right before thanksgiving and was great. Gave us great ideas of where to go and where to eat while walking around town. Always offered us help for whatever we needed. Highly recommend no matter the time of year. Will definitely be back!

Overall this was a disappointing stay. The rooms (which supposedly have been redone) are still in need of repair ( wood rot around the shower stall for example, windows that were rotten causing screens to fall out). Even at the off season rates, this place charges top dollar-but the facilities...

Overall this was a disappointing stay. The rooms (which supposedly have been redone) are still in need of repair ( wood rot around the shower stall for example, windows that were rotten causing screens to fall out). Even at the off season rates, this place charges top dollar-but the facilities don't match the price. Service was iffy--some staff were good and others were not. Food service was pedestrian.

We stayed in a suite in the Residences building (highly recommend). Was quiet, easy access to town, appreciated the pastries/cookies/cheese out during the day, used one of their bicycles one day for a ride around the island (lots of bike paths). Super comfy bed. Excellent customer service.

My husband and I recently visited Nantucket and stayed at The White Elephant on a trip with several other couples. The Pros: the grounds are absolutely stunning. The location is amazing - you're right on the water with a view of the boats. You can also easily walk to most...

My husband and I recently visited Nantucket and stayed at The White Elephant on a trip with several other couples. The Pros: the grounds are absolutely stunning. The location is amazing - you're right on the water with a view of the boats. You can also easily walk to most spots in the heart of downtown. It's a larger hotel and has nice amenities, though we never used the pool or spa, etc. But the food and drinks were excellent! The Cons: the prices are as though you're staying in a 5-star hotel in Japan, and the service does not even come close to meeting the prices. To me, the Montage is an excellent example of service / an entire experience worth paying for. But in addition, the rooms are dated and have very little privacy if you have a water view (everyone can walk right past you on the walkways outside of each room that are between your room and the view unless you pay even more for your own private balcony that no one can walk past). Also, if you decide to book a room anywhere near speakers beneath you from either the spa or the restaurant to save a few bones, be prepared to be awakened in the morning to the bass below that "they have no control over". I'm a night owl and we were out with friends each night, but I would be awakened each morning by the music beneath by 6 or 7am. The first night, it was never even turned off overnight. I had to request it the next day. But the service is really what turned our entire group off. Without going into way too much detail, basically every basic request we asked for was a NO. We were joking about it as a group that literally every single thing any one of us had asked for was met with a no. And there are A LOT of rules, and there is no bending them. The customer is NOT always right at The White Elephant - the customer is always wrong, and I do not think that is appropriate for the price.

For years, we have wanted to go back to Nantucket and stay at the White Elephant. Finally, we stayed three nights in July at the Inn in a King room. The room was basic as we expected and had not been recently remodeled like the Harborside Hotel and Garden Cottages....

For years, we have wanted to go back to Nantucket and stay at the White Elephant. Finally, we stayed three nights in July at the Inn in a King room. The room was basic as we expected and had not been recently remodeled like the Harborside Hotel and Garden Cottages. The front desk staff was professional and responsive but blasé. The prominent location of the sprawling White Elephant property is exceptional – within walking distance to almost everything. Although we did not have the opportunity to take advantage of all the resort amenities, we did enjoy the complimentary bicycles and took advantage of the in-town complimentary courtesy vehicle service to go to restaurants, etc. Every day at 4:00pm port and cheese were served in the lobby of the Inn which was a nice touch. The infamous Boston Grill 23 opened a Pop-up restaurant at the Inn which drew quite a dinner crowd. Other than that, it was rather uneventful at the Inn. We did enjoy dinner at Topper’s in the sister property, The Wauwinet, where we celebrated a special occasion. It would have been our preference to take in the scenic waterfront during a 45-minute boat ride to Topper's, but the boat schedule is very restrictive, and we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the sunset. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. Our main complaint was regarding the shower which was outdated, not well maintained or thoroughly cleaned. Upon arrival we noticed the water from the shower severely leaked out the door and onto the floor. We reported it and although maintenance addressed it immediately it was a very unskilled, ineffective repair.

We’ve visited Nantucket a few times and have stayed at the White Elephant a couple times. This particular time we felt disappointed. Carpets were dirty, pastries in the morning were stop and shop quality, (where there are fabulous pastries available in town), room quality was not more than ok. Not...

We’ve visited Nantucket a few times and have stayed at the White Elephant a couple times. This particular time we felt disappointed. Carpets were dirty, pastries in the morning were stop and shop quality, (where there are fabulous pastries available in town), room quality was not more than ok. Not appropriate for the room rate. Our room was very tired. Nothing special. Concierge, Lily was excellent. Pool staff very good. Main hotel was nice, we stayed in the INN. Since the residences are removed from the hotel, more care should be taken to ensure they are special. And that’s not the case.

We just returned from a wonderful 4 night stay. It was our2nd visit to the island and our 1st visit to the White Elephant. We will return and have already decided on a week long stay next summer. Hotel is very expensive as is everything on the island but you...

We just returned from a wonderful 4 night stay. It was our2nd visit to the island and our 1st visit to the White Elephant. We will return and have already decided on a week long stay next summer. Hotel is very expensive as is everything on the island but you get a quality product for your money. Loved our room, very comfortable. Every employee we encountered was very friendly and helpful. Loved the location as we enjoy being able to walk everywhere, but still liked being a little removed from the busy harbor/main st area.

We came here for our honeymoon last summer and have to say it was a very disappointing experience. I can not believe that we paid north of $800 / night for this poor level of service and dated hotel and lack of amenities. The only redeaming quality of the hotel...

We came here for our honeymoon last summer and have to say it was a very disappointing experience. I can not believe that we paid north of $800 / night for this poor level of service and dated hotel and lack of amenities. The only redeaming quality of the hotel is the location, but otherwise the hotel is quite dated and in desperate need of a top to bottom renovation. The room smelled of old furniture / carpeting and had a view to a construction site which was too bad. We could not believe what consistuted the gym. A tiny, windowless room that must have been a former closet with two broken treadmills. It was so crowded and hot we ended up leaving after 10 minutes which was incredibly disappointing. The spa was also closed all week due to water damage which I could not believe. Finally, in an attempt to salvage the honeymoon, we booked a massage in room through the front desk. We waited in our rooms for 30 minutes and the masseuses never showed. We called hte front desk repeatedly who gave us attitude and then were charged 3 days later for a massage that never happened! I genuinely cannot believe that this is a 5 star hotel and able to command the prices it does and am incredibly sad that we spent our one and only honeymoon here. I would strong strongly strongly recommend you look elsewhere.