21 Broad a Nantucket Lark Hotel

I first noticed Lark Hotels in 2012 with the renovation of their first project, Kennebunkport’s Captain Fairfield Inn. I waited through the before and was blown away by the after. Lark Hotels later caught my eye that spring when I ventured to Newport, RI for an Easter brunch. Following Lark Hotels on Instagram tuned me into the opening of their new Narragansett location this summer, The Break. Now this looked just my style. But when a day trip to Narragansett came and went last month without my ever getting a chance to see it, I made a mental note to try and contact Lark to tour a Nantucket property during my August stay.

Why am I so into a hotel collection? Well, for one they are also in alignment with my relaxed, refined New England style of living. And for another, they went there. They achieved the impossible and succeeded. And by there I mean they introduced modern/bold design to never been touched, historically preserved, New England destination towns. Thank you Lark Hotels, thank you very much.

Don’t get me wrong I love my New England heritage and am proud of my English settler roots. The Kimballs came over on the Elizabeth in 1634 on my mother’s side and my Grandmother Newbegin insisted my sister and I know we were Daughters of the American Revolution before her passing. “You call them up girls, you tell them the Parker name and they will trace the lineage back. Please know you are DARs as would your daughters someday be” she pressed. But sometimes as a child while listening to the Sturbridge Village tour guide passionately describe the straw stuffed mattress or the original furniture, or while stooping down to reenact cooking over a fire in a Plymouth Plantation cottage my mind would drift to wishing that someone would please, please update the dark, cramped, wooden spool decorated, jam jar drinking, settler look. And then I would gasp and quickly erase these thoughts as I knew all of this history reminded me of the strength, perseverance, risk and ultimate success my ancestors were.

I was thrilled when Korin Matter Co-General Manager of both Lark’s Nantucket properties gave me a tour of 21 Broad.

21 Broad was built a year ago. The victorian was one of the oldest guest houses in town and while the original architecture was preserved they added a three story addition off the back (equipped with elevator and Spa.) Three cheers for a handicap accessible Nantucket hotel! It was clear that “an experience is had here not just a bed” as Korin stated. Bright stimulating yellow and carribean blue are accented throughout modern wicker and white furniture. There was a turntable with records that are “certainly used and more so even in the winter months when families and couples play records and sit by the fire.” (21 Broad is open until January 1.)

Now here is the lifestyle element. There are Vitamin C showers that balance the water to leave your skin silky smooth. From 5-7pm guests can enjoy the mixer bar where homemade simple syrups, seltzers and tonics, fruit and herbs are set up on the back deck (by the fire pit no less.) Bring your own alcohol (they do not have a liquor license) and mix your own cocktail. Thirsty after an in town stroll? Refresh with house made lemonade, the flavor changes daily. Ginger/sage was the flavor of the day on my visit.

They provide a “small plates” breakfast. A step up from the typical continental breakfast and prioritize local and organic when able. Some other hotel amenities include:

Blackout shades for leisurely mornings
Outdoor courtyard with fire pit
Keurig coffee makers in some rooms and in guest service areas
Free wireless internet
Waffle Kimono robes
24-hour front desk
Personalized concierge services
Breakfast included with handcrafted baked goods, fruit, juices and more
Steam room
iPads and iPod docking stations with “white noise” feature
In-room refrigerators
USB ports in room outlets
Beach bags and chairs
Guest hospitality centers

Stay in Lark Hotels and enjoy history with modern style. The have recently expanded outside of New England with hotels now in CA and TN.

Cheers and Enjoy,

Robin

Albeit the memory recall – That childhood time while out of boredom I put a fireball in my mouth purchased from the Sturbrudge Village gift shop and waited patiently in line to see what was behind the cordoned off colonial bedroom. The wait was too long and by the time I got to peek over the rope and listen to the tour guide I had to open my mouth and roll around the fireball to cool my mouth off. And then…it dropped out of my mouth, onto the wooden floor and rolled all the way past the tour guide’s feet into the bedroom. I was mortified and I was certain the colonial dressed tour guide would put me on a stool facing a corner for eternity. But worse yet I worried my rolling red fireball would touch the original settler rug and stain it! It stopped rolling and the tour guide never said a word. And I finally exhaled but did not escape the gasp heard from my big sister.