The Beach Plum Inn

This charming Martha's Vineyard inn is located on seven acres of land overlooking the Menemsha Harbor. The Beach Plum Inn is surrounded with colorful gardens and pastures, home to roaming alpacas and ponies. Without a pool and on-site activities, this inn is better suited for relaxed couples than families seeking entertainment. Comfortable furniture and a French-country style -- along with an excellent restaurant -- provide a laid-back island vibe. Don't expect great cell phone reception here, but there are many rustic, relaxing common spaces for taking in the scenery. Menemsha is a dry town, so bring your own drinks if you would like alcohol (and beware that there is a corkage fee at the restaurant). The scene here can be particularly romantic for guests that choose the private stand-alone cottages.

In Martha's Vineyard, the town of Menemsha is known for spectacular sunsets. Every evening, people come to the harbor from all over the island to picnic on the beach and watch the sunset. The Beach Plum Inn provides a private place to watch the nightly show. Other local points of interest include the Gay Head Cliffs and the Gay Head Lighthouse.

Located off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard is praised for its natural beauty and remote location. Summer is peak season here, while rest of the year is quiet and relaxing. The largest town on the island is Edgartown, a popular destination for visitors because of its many shops, galleries, and restaurants on Main Street. It is also a "wet" town and serves alcohol while many other dry locations on the island do not. Lighthouse Beach is the place to watch beautiful sunrises while South Beach in Katama is known for its sunsets.

There are two ways to reach Martha's Vineyard: ferry or air. Ferries are available from Woods Hole, Falmouth, New Bedford, Hyannis (all MA locations), and Quonset Point, RI into Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven. If you want to bring a car to the island, you must take the ferry from Woods Hole (the only ferry that transports cars departs from here). A few different airlines offer service into Martha's Vineyard Airport including Cape Air, US Airways, and Jet Blue. Once on the island, transportation options include the Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority buses (year-round and surprisingly efficient) and biking is popular as well.

• 5-minute drive to Chilmark
• 10-minute drive to Cronig’s Market in West Tishbury
• 15-minute drive to Aquinnah (Gay Head Cliffs and Lighthouse)
• 30-minute drive to Edgartown
• 45-minute ferry ride from Woods Hole, MA to Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven, then a 30-minute or 25-minute drive from Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven, respectively

Decorated in a French-country style, the guest rooms and cottages at Beach Plum are quaint and comfortable. The decor sets the stage for relaxing with pastel soothing tones, white wood, and wicker furnishings. More refined than its sister property the Menemsha Inn, rooms here feel fresher and show less wear and tear. While couples are drawn to the cozy rooms with private patios and hammocks, there are also self-contained cottages that could accommodate families or larger groups.

• Free Wi-Fi
• Tube TVs
• Mini-fridges
• The Inns at Menemsha and Greenwich Bay bath products
• Some rooms have whirlpool tubs for two and private balconies
• Some have views of Menemsha Harbor, others have views of the Elizabeth islands
• Air-conditioning
• The Astilbe Room is handicap accessible with a private screened porch.
• Private cottages offer additional amenities: living areas, flat-screen TVs, screened porches, private patios, sundecks, hammocks, and views of the grounds or spectacular water views.

The Beach Plum Inn upholds the Martha's Vineyard reputation for relaxation. Here top features include private patios with hammocks, cozy common areas, and space to watch the sunset behind Menemsha harbor. Active travelers might appreciate bikes for rent, and all guests have access to beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas. While the inn does not offer a pool, guests can take advantage of the activities at the sister hotel, Menemsha Inn, including a tennis court, fitness center, and basketball court. While cell phone service is spotty, the inn does offer free Wi-Fi.

• Free Wi-Fi
• Free afternoon cookies and lemonade in the lobby
• Bikes are available to rent, bike storage also on offer
• Private patios with hammocks and views of the Menemsha harbor
• Guests can use the tennis court, fitness center, and basketball court at Menemsha Inn
• Alpaca fleece yarn available for purchase at the front desk (alpacas roam the pastures behind the property)
• Beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas
• Parking passes and walk-on passes for Lucy Vincent Beach and Squibnocket Beach

The Beach Plum Inn has its own on-site restaurant serving American, French, and seafood dishes. The restaurant has uninterrupted views of the Menemsha harbor and is the perfect spot to watch one of the area's famed sunsets. The inn is located in a dry town, requiring those who desire a glass of wine to bring their own (corkage fee applies).