Review: The Beachside

Why book?

An enviable location, the best pool deck on the island, and a suite of experiential amenities make this the modern hotel Nantucket has been waiting for.

Set the scene

From the moment you pull up at The Beachside’s porte-cochère, it’s clear that this is not business as usual for Nantucket. This boutique hotel is less about the cedar shingles and hydrangea bushes and more about emulating an irresistible, design-forward vibe: The lobby feels less like a hotel lobby and more like your coolest friend’s living room. An expansive pool deck beckons, and an indoor-outdoor bar space promises endless summer all year long. This isn’t the spot for the tennis whites and boat shoe-wearing set, although you’ll find them here, too; this is where Nantucket’s coolest visitors will be clinking cocktail glasses and catching some R&R this summer (and we think for many summers to come).

The backstory

Since opening its doors in 1966 to its closure in 2021, the original Beachside Hotel was one of the island’s most cherished family-friendly hotels. Nantucketers are deeply, deeply resistant to change, so when Blue Flag Capital acquired the property in 2021, locals were skeptical of what might happen to this time-worn favorite. Now, finally opening for its first full season in 2025, the brand new Beachside is ready to jumpstart an exciting new chapter for the premises.

The rooms

For as much as Blue Flag changed about Beachside, the character of the property feels the same. At its heart is the expansive pool deck, which has been completely rebuilt and expanded, and nearly all rooms have at least some sort of outdoor space. Inside, the rooms are a nod to the island’s aesthetic history of the 1960s and 1970s, when it was known more as an artistic hideaway and less of a billionaire’s playground. A background palette of neutrals and mocha-hued checks is punctuated with burnt orange and organic green accents. Rooms have all the modern comforts, like bathroom mirrors with integrated lighting, discreet USB ports by the bed, Bluetooth-enabled Marshall speakers, and D.S. & Durga bath amenities. Absorbent, unbelievably plush checkered organic bathrobes by Bathing Culture are a nice touch. If you’re traveling with little ones or in a group, there is a fantastic two-bedroom suite complete with a kitchen, spacious living area and private deck with outdoor furniture. Rates start at $250 in the off-season, and $700 during peak months.

Food and drink

Finding a decent meal or even a drink on Nantucket can be tricky in the peak months, as the island’s limited number of restaurants book up sometimes weeks or even months in advance. That’s where Beachside’s secret weapon comes in: guests-only dining experiences. The Lobby Bar serves an elevated cocktail program, a small selection of beer and wine, and a rotating selection of frozen drinks. Swim Club–which operates in an outdoor seating area and by the pool–offers a straightforward yet tasty menu with an emphasis on snacks, salads and sandwiches, and kid-friendly options like quesadillas and chicken tenders. There’s talk of perhaps opening these dining experiences to the public in the future pending some approvals from the town, but for now, they remain blissfully available only to overnight guests.

The neighborhood/area

It’s worth noting that Beachside is, in fact, not beachside–Blue Flag kept the name as a nod to the property’s beloved reputation.

“There was a lot of history in the name,” Blue Flag co-founder Brad Guidi says. “The nostalgic aspect was important. When you ask people if they have stayed there, most people say, ‘Of course, I stayed there thirty years ago!’”

But while it may not necessarily be beachside, it’s fair to say that it’s beach-nearby: Jetties Beach is about a 10 minute walk away. This is a wonderful location for any and all Nantucket adventures, with Town located a seven minute walk up the street, and the island’s impressive network of bike trails within reach. And despite its proximity to all the action, this 3.5-acre property feels surprisingly quiet–something you won’t always find at the hotels located smack-dab in the heart of Town.

Oh, and another perk of being outside the somewhat dense downtown area? Beachside offers one of the rarest amenities on the entire island: an abundance of parking.

The service

Service at Blue Flag properties always feels familiar, warm, and refreshingly unfussed. The team really cares about making sure every guest has what they need for a flawless stay, without ever being overbearing or overly reverential. When you’re here, you’re part of the family.

For families

Speaking of which: Beachside’s genius is that it’s a family-friendly hotel that doesn’t feel like a family-friendly hotel. There’s a fantastic arcade stocked with vintage games that kids and adults alike will enjoy, and a partnership with local children’s store Barnaby’s Toy & Art will bring kids club-style activities to the hotel this summer. Yes, there are kids around, but it never impacts the sense that adults are here to have fun, too.

Eco effort

The hotel adheres to Nantucket’s strict regulations for sorting trash and recycling.

Accessibility

This hotel is especially accessible, with the majority of rooms accessed from the parking lot or from wide walkways, and an ADA compliant pool lift.

Anything left to mention?

A few things: First, while most visitors to Nantucket prefer to go on walks, swim in the ocean, or explore the island’s many trails, there is a surprisingly good hotel gym here for keeping up your routine on the road. Second, the hotel has teamed up with Nantucket’s Dreamland theater for a series of outdoor movie nights on the back lawn. And, finally, most exciting of all, through a partnership with Land Rover, Beachside offers a fleet of house Defenders to help guests explore the island. An entry level car rental in summer can soar well above $500 per day, so this is a serious value proposition.

While it might seem easy on Nantucket to overbook yourself with reservations and excursions, Beachside is an invitation to ditch the structure of an itinerary, kick back, and simply enjoy the vibes. Experiences are never far off if you want them, but neither are the simple joys of a well-designed pool deck and proximity to the beach. If “having your cake and eating it too” was a Nantucket hotel, it would be this one.