Blue Iris

We spent some time working on a puzzle in the lobby lounge before going out for an amazing dinner the front desk had recommended. The Blue Iris is on a quiet street, yet restaurants, bars, and shops in town are all within walking distance. We even took a stroll down to Jetties Beach. Check-in was easy, our room was clean, and we can't wait to come back soon.

The location is excellent, the rooms are spacious and clean, and the decor is cute. The price is more affordable than many Nantucket places. As a travel advisor, I thought I might have found a hidden gem for clients, and I kept looking for reasons to feel positive because I loved the room and location so much. But the downsides outweighed those good points. This was the noisiest hotel I've ever stayed in. Since it's a renovated old home, we heard every footstep, conversation, and door opening or closing. People also hosed down the outside of the building every day, so we couldn't come or go without getting soaked. Service was the biggest letdown. I felt like an inconvenience the whole time. Several staff members came across as rude over our four days, even though we tried being extra polite to improve the mood. Everyone can have a bad day, but this happened with multiple people. The free breakfast and cocktail hour that were promised weren't available during our stay. There was rarely a receptionist at the desk during regular hours, and guests were left waiting in the lobby to check in or ask questions. One day, after several trips to the lobby with no receptionist there, I asked for beach chairs. The receptionist sighed, rolled her eyes, and walked off to get them without saying a word. I've never felt so uncomfortable dealing with hotel staff. Blue Iris is classed as a 5-star hotel, which I really don't understand when it has no restaurant, gym, or spa. The entrance is up about 10 narrow steps, and there was no help with luggage. For a small 12-room property, I expected warm, attentive service. Instead, I've never felt less welcome at a hotel. If keeping to a budget matters most and you're okay bringing earplugs and lowering your service expectations, Blue Iris offers a cute, central place to stay. But I can't recommend it if you're hoping for rest, hospitality, or a boutique hotel experience.

The location was ideal for walking to shops and dinner, and we went to the beach every day. They supplied chairs and towels, and we enjoyed the historic feel and the attentive, lovely staff. It is pricey, but comparable to this kind of hotel in Newport, Rhode Island, so that's the cost of staying somewhere historic and close to town. The suite's second "room" was barely bigger than a closet. It had no dresser or mirror, just a tiny cot-like bed suited to a toddler. The second adult ended up sleeping on the pull-out couch and used that room only for luggage. There was just one air conditioner, in the main bedroom, so I had to keep my door open all night. We asked for a fan to push air into the living room where the other adult slept, and it helped a little. It happened to be cool outside, but that setup wouldn't work in 90° weather.

We were sorry to leave this quaint, historic-feeling hotel right in Town. The staff were amazing, and breakfast outdoors beneath the canopy was lovely. We walked to shops in the morning and dinner in the evening, and it was nice to have everything nearby while getting some exercise. They provided chairs and towels for our daily beach walks, which took 20-25 minutes. With the cobblestones, uneven ground, and rocks, I'd skip the heels.