Hotels

When deciding where to stay on Martha's Vineyard, you'll need to consider the type of vacation you prefer. The down-island towns of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown provide shops, restaurants, beaches, and harbors within walking distance, and frequent shuttles to get you all over the island. But all three can be overly crowded on busy summer weekends. Vineyard Haven is the gateway for most of the ferry traffic; Oak Bluffs is a raucous town with most of the Vineyard's bars and nightclubs; and many visitors make a beeline to Edgartown's manicured Main Street. Up-island inns provide more peace and quiet, but you'll probably need a car to get around, including going to the beach. Nevertheless, there are some wonderful places to stay on the Vineyard, and all of the following choices have something special to offer.

Oak Bluffs

If you're looking for a basic motel with a central location, you'll want to stay at Surfside Motel across from the ferry dock on Oak Bluffs Avenue in Oak Bluffs (tel. 800/537-3007 or 508/693-2500; www.mvsurfside.com). Summer rates are $195 double, $245-$305 for suites. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, TVs, minifridges, and phones. Open year-round. Well-behaved pets allowed.