When it came time to consider the design for an island hotel in the heart of downtown Nantucket, a story emerged. Drawing from the history of a group of 200-year-old buildings—a former meeting house and three guest houses—Boston-based Blue Flag Partners imagined a character who would serve as inspiration for their boutique destination, Faraway. “We imagined a young woman who grew up on Nantucket,” says Blue Flag’s Brad Guidi, “and along with her eight friends, stole away on a ship in their teens and then arrived back on the island decades later with their own ship and a pile of treasures and stories to tell. We mapped out the exotic places they may have visited, the food and smells they would have experienced along the way, and what they would have brought back home with them.” Those treasures—collected shells, objets d’art, and a boatload of painted portraits—serve as decor throughout the hotel, set against a backdrop of lacquered millwork in deep-sea tones, speckled terrazzo surfaces, and bold patterned textiles. On the floors, Faraway favors Oriental rugs to neutral seagrass, a nod to its exotic influences and maximalist aesthetic.
Perhaps the best spot to take in the vibe is from one of the rattan stools at the bar in Sister Ship, an on-site restaurant serving a Mediterranean menu and plenty of style. Order some fresh local seafood in the dining room, or take your crafted cocktail out to the courtyard, where you can sip a Faraway Mermaid (a mezcal, tequila, and lime concoction) under fringe-trimmed umbrellas. Don’t skip the brass-clad café counter on your way out for the day, a great spot to grab a coffee or takeaway items.
Guests checking in to their rooms (there are 62 to choose from) will find the same attention to design details but in a more muted palette; neutral walls and trim, light wood furniture and thoughtful coastal touches. As Guidi notes, “It gives our guests a chance to escape while still telling the story of Faraway.” And they’re the ideal spots to return to after an afternoon at Jetties Beach or a day exploring the island on one of the hotel’s bicycles.
Faraway
29 Centre Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
farawayhotels.com
GET A ROOM
Each space marries classic architecture with modern amenities
SEA SUITE
Unwind in a two-bedroom suite in The Gate House, which was built in 2013 but blends seamlessly with the original buildings on the property.
FAB FOUR
A quad bunk bed setup connects to queen rooms, making it optimal for families with kids.
Jellyfish wallpaper adds to the whimsical feel while bedside curtains create the ultimate sleeping hideaway.
SUNNY SPOT
A king bed in The Roberts House is bathed in natural light and flanked by custom furniture and creative accents.