Celebrating 25 years of the Nantucket Lodging Association

Back in the fall of 1985 we gathered fellow innkeepers for the first meeting of our new organization : the Nantucket Lodging Association. We welcomed hotels, motels, resorts, bed & breakfasts, inns, and guest houses. We wanted all members to be licensed with the town of Nantucket to rent rooms , belong to the Chamber of Commerce, and collect the room tax. We meet monthly 8 times a year, skipping two winter months, when many are closed, and skipping 2 summer months, when everyone is busy. Over the years we’ve learned alot, shared information, and helped each other, as we have become friends. We opened our inns for inn tours for each other so we could all know what is available- who has first floor rooms, no stairs, who has a family suite that can sleep 4, who has fireplaces in rooms and are open in the winter, etc. We were able to help each other, and help guests find accommodations that best meet their needs.  They say that the average length of time someone is an innkeeper is about 7 years, but I think Nantucket breaks those trends. Many innkeepers have passed down this tradition of hospitality in their family. We have several second generation innkeepers in our group. We recently paid tribute to one innkeeper who has been doing this over 40 years.  You might think that with the current economy, we might be more competitive with other lodging establishments here on the island. But we feel that each property offers something special, and unique, with a large range of pricing and amenities.  Typically the historic and quaint houses in the historic district were the norm for Nantucket tourism for hundreds of years. B&B’s were common, like in Europe, years before the trend started to span the USA. Today with the internet, you can find a property and actually choose an individual room, from the many photos available. Pricing in peak season can range from about $175 per night to $3000….there is something for most everyone!  But remember to ask if the room has a private bathroom!      (NOTE: ALL rooms at Anchor Inn have private bathrooms)

We recently gathered innkeepers past & present on Nantucket for a group photo, as we celebrated 25 years of comraderie in our association.   June 15, 2011

Advertisement