The Christopher

The Christopher, a Michelin Key Selected property in Martha's Vineyard, consistently receives high praise for its exceptional service, prime location, and stylish design, offering a boutique luxury experience in Edgartown.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Christopher is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "exceptional," "wonderful," and "like a dream". Review platforms show high scores across the board, with Booking.com ratings including 9.9 for location, 9.7 for staff, and 9.5 for cleanliness, contributing to an overall "Wonderful" rating. The Michelin Key selection further solidifies its standing as a hotel offering a remarkable and unique experience.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of The Christopher:

• Service: The staff are frequently highlighted as "attentive," "amazing," and "exceptional," going above and beyond to provide outstanding help and recommendations.
• Location: Situated in the heart of Edgartown, the hotel boasts a near-perfect location, making it incredibly convenient for guests to walk to shops, restaurants, and the harbor.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel, revitalized in 2023, is celebrated for its bright, lively, and "Vineyard meets St. Barts" aesthetic, blending New England charm with mid-century modern and French Caribbean influences. Common areas like the designer guest lounge, tranquil back courtyard with a firepit, and inviting porch or patio contribute to a relaxing and chic atmosphere.
• Amenities: Complimentary, top-notch breakfast, warm salted chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon, free high-speed WiFi, and personalized concierge services are frequently mentioned as beloved amenities.

Room Quality

The 15 rooms, including two suites, are "sumptuously dressed" and individually decorated, featuring a blend of crisp New England nautical themes with vibrant geometric prints and pops of Caribbean color. Guests can expect plush king or queen beds with custom-made padded headboards, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, and individually controlled AC/heat. Rooms come with private bathrooms equipped with showers, waffle kimono robes, and Lather bath products. King Deluxe rooms offer additional space with sitting areas, and some rooms feature private balconies. The Lark Suite is particularly noted for its wraparound terraces and superlative views. Blackout shades and plush linens ensure comfortable rest.

Dining Experience

The dining experience at The Christopher centers around its "fabulous" and "top-notch" complimentary breakfast. It's served tapas-style, offering a delightful array of sweet and savory small plates, tropical fruits, freshly baked goods, and savory egg dishes. Guests have the flexibility to enjoy breakfast on the porch, patio, in their room, or in the lounge. Many reviewers describe it as "super fancy and tasty" and "perfect and plentiful". While the hotel does not offer lunch or dinner, its central location means guests are "spoiled for choice" with numerous world-class restaurants just outside its doors in Edgartown. A much-loved afternoon treat are the warm, salted chocolate chip cookies.

Service & Staff

The service and staff at The Christopher receive consistently glowing reviews. Guests report a "warmth of the welcome that awaits" and "hot-toddy levels of hospitality". The team is described as "attentive," "amazing," "exceptional," and "welcoming," often going "out of their way to make sure [guests] had everything needed". Managers, like Ellen, are specifically praised for offering "outstanding help and recommendations". The staff's commitment to personalized interaction is so strong that they reportedly forgo name tags, aiming to learn guests' names and foster a more approachable and personalized experience.

Location & Accessibility

The Christopher boasts an "excellent" and "perfect" location in the heart of Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. It's described as a "safe, quaint and walkable neighborhood" where shops, restaurants, and Edgartown Harbor are just minutes away. The property is also conveniently located next to a bike rental shop and close to the beach. While Martha's Vineyard has its own regional airport (5 miles away), international arrivals typically fly into Boston, followed by a two-and-a-half-hour drive and a ferry ride to the island. For those bringing a car, private parking is available for $50 a day, though spaces are limited and require advance booking. It's important to note that as a historic building, The Christopher is not ADA-compliant and therefore not suitable for wheelchair users, though first-floor rooms are available for guests with some mobility.

Value & Pricing

While considered a luxury boutique hotel, guests generally find the experience at The Christopher to be worth the cost, with Booking.com giving it an 8.5 for "Value for money". Nightly rates can range, with Kayak showing prices starting around $461 and Mr & Mrs Smith listing prices from approximately $571.35, depending on the room type and season. The comprehensive amenities, personalized service, and prime location contribute to the perceived value.

Common Complaints

Recurring complaints or criticisms are relatively few. One older review mentioned a room "not quite worth the money we paid for it". Another guest noted "The stairs but that is a given in a historic building!", acknowledging this as a characteristic of the property rather than a flaw. A significant accessibility note is that the hotel is not ADA-compliant. Parking is limited and incurs a daily fee. Additionally, the hotel operates seasonally, closing from May to October.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. michelin.com
3. marthasvineyardlodging.org
4. mvtimes.com
5. expedia.com
6. hotels.com
7. cookingwithbooks.net
8. michelin.com
9. theedgartowncollection.com
10. mrandmrssmith.com
11. newenglandinnsandresorts.com
12. theedgartowncollection.com
13. hyatt.com
14. kayak.com