Nantucket is our favorite place on the planet. From the charming boutiques and uneven brick streets to charming coastal homes and amazing restaurants, the island never ever ever disappoints. After traveling to Nantucket for a decade, I wanted to share a full White Elephant Nantucket review. After all, the iconic harborside property just completed a multi-million-dollar transformation that epitomizes opulence and taste.
We’ve been so thankful to visit White Elephant every summer since my trip with Lilly Pulitzer many years ago. Every experience has been so special. But it’s also why it was so clear to see every change and detail of the evolution of the property. It was honestly so incredible to see.
So spoiler alert: the final transformation is perfect. 🙂 If we didn’t love it enough before, the new design and amenities are next level. But what can you expect comes to a stay? Below, I’m sharing our top tricks, tips and advice for your next stay at the property.
White Elephant Nantucket Review
Our beloved White Elephant Resort has been charming Nantucket’s harborside since the Roaring Twenties. Island socialite, Elizabeth T. Ludwig, envisioned this exquisite property, and dreamed one day of Nantucket as the buzziest beachside destination.
At the time, her friends thought she was crazy to purchase homes and land to build the property, calling it a “white elephant of an idea.” So, Mrs. Ludwig opened the hotel as the “White Elephant” in 1917.
I marvel at how the resort has metamorphosed into a testament of time and luxury. Allow me to paint a picture of the transformation: 54 room-and-suite Harborside Hotel and 11 quaint Garden Cottages, all revamped with artisan-crafted fixtures and responsibly sourced furnishings, thanks to a brilliant collaboration with Arhaus. The outdoor spaces have been refreshed with a charming medley of teak and all-weather wicker furniture, giving an inviting and refreshing ambiance to the property.
Design and Architecture
Architectural maven Elizabeth Lowrey, the principal at Elkus Manfredi Architects, lends her magic to the transformation. Embracing the idyllic charm of Nantucket, Lowrey’s design approach manifests in a bright, airy, residential-style renovation, breathing new life into the historic accommodations.
The design reflects Nantucket’s rich legacy with carpets and textiles mirroring the island’s basket weaving tradition, and exterior ship lights echoing its maritime past. Everything is so fabulous!
The moment you step into the room, you’re graced with unique branded elements, like brass elephant knockers on doors, elephant door and drawer pulls, and even an elephant needlepoint pillows. So good! With a pleasing color palette of Labrador blues and sea foam greens, the rooms, the interiors completely captivate your senses.
Moreover, the resort’s 11 cottages have also been reimagined. Named after Nantucket flora like Bayberry, Hydrangea, and Beach Plum, to name a few, each cottage has its own unique identity. From buttery yellow hues of the Honeysuckle room to the pale pink of Rose, the cottages are nestled within a newly landscaped verdant garden, crisscrossed by pathways. It’s such a lovely place to visit on property – even if you aren’t staying in the cottages themselves.
White Elephant Nantucket Lobby
A hotel lobby is always a resort’s first impression. They’re fully aware of this fact, and as an avid traveler, it’s also why it’s the first thing I look at. What story are they trying to tell? What brand and experience are they trying to sell you on? It’s amazing how much you can learn about a hotel, its ownership and their team within the first square footages of space.
So how is the new White Elephant Nantucket? Well, the resort’s lobby now greets you with an enlarged retail space and warm, friendly concierge and bright reception area. The lobby area was always light and lovely, but I truly love how much brighter the entire property feels. It all just feels light. More airy, if you will.
Adding to its allure, the lobby showcases a mesmerizing 16-foot-long commissioned artwork by Israeli painter Orit Fuchs, depicting a woman (dressed, of course, in Nantucket reds) floating by the White Elephant. To me, it feels like a nod to Mrs. Ludwig, which makes me smile. 🙂
The hallways are adorned with original art pieces thanks to the brand’s novel Artist in Residency Program, which is really brilliant. I definitely recommend reading up on the artists.
White Elephant Nantucket x Arhaus
Now let’s talk about the property’s outdoor spaces, cozied up with Arhaus’s furniture collection. Picture quality resin wicker chaises and teak lounge chairs adorned with custom blue cushions, created exclusively for the White Elephant. They even offer limited edition, co-branded White Elephant X Arhaus embroidered cashmere throws! This is coastal charm at its finest, ladies and gents!
Not to forget, the resort’s culinary offerings are worthy of a visit, especially Brand Point Grill, which is a must for brunch, lunch, dinner or cocktails. The eggs Benedict, gazpacho, lobster mac and cheese, and frosé are all delicious. I could go on and on about how many dishes I adore, but those are a few personal faves. 🙂
Price Point
Luxury comes with a price, and White Elephant Nantucket is worth every penny spent. Nightly rates start at $375 for a guestroom, $675 for a suite, $775 for a one-bedroom cottage, and go up to $1,275 for two- and three-bedroom cottages. Keep in mind, summer is high season, so prices can definitely skyrocket. Check out their website to view their calendar of pricing.
The White Elephant Resorts are renowned for delivering premier experiences in both Nantucket and Palm Beach. With the recent renovation, the White Elephant Resort in Nantucket continues to uphold its legacy, offering a captivating coastal experience for the discerning traveler.
White Elephant Nantucket Review: Final Thoughts
Overall, the reinvented White Elephant Resort is ready to make your summer unforgettable. We absolutely loved experiencing the transformation, and watching them enter into a new and exciting chapter. Heading to Nantucket? Make White Elephant Nantucket a priority – even if it’s just for a few visits for meals. You won’t regret it. 🙂
