FAR, FAR AWAY Nantucket’s hottest reservation: the Faraway Hotel

In a Land Far, FAR AWAY

NANTUCKET’S LATEST HOTEL, THE FARAWAY, COMES SAILING ONTO THE SCENE

Despite COVID-19, or in this case as a result of COVID-19, Nantucket reported a record number of visitors this past summer, with crowds surging and more people staying put on island for the entire summer with nary a rental in sight. And amidst all the cars and crowds, one spot emerged midsummer as the perfect antidote to shepherd both the new and the old Nantucket reveler: the brand-new Faraway Hotel on the corner of India and Centre streets.

Formerly the site of the Roberts Collection Inn and the Centre Street shopping area, Faraway opened its multiple doors in June 2021, showcasing its three newly revamped buildings, a center courtyard which quickly became a meeting point during the day and a hotspot at night, and an in-house restaurant and bar curiously named Sister Ship. Created and owned by Boston-based Blue Flag Partners Brad Guidi, Terry Sanford and Jason Brown, and operated by New York-based Life House Hotels, Faraway focuses on the redevelopment of existing “urban core” historic properties and self-proclaims its penchant for the young at heart.

One step into the ivy-enshrouded courtyard and it’s no surprise that the new downtown space was an instant hit among island visitors both new and old. Festooned with fringe-trimmed parasols, cushioned couches and rattan armchairs, plus a myriad of flowering pots, the courtyard is the downtown chic haven we’ve all been waiting for, particularly postquarantine. During the morning hours, you’ll find hotel guests enjoying complimentary coffee as they toil away on their phones and laptops, while at sundown groups converge on the outdoor seating and enjoy Sister Ship’s coastal-inspired shared plates and craft cocktail list (see our Sundowners page for our favorite).

The courtyard’s convivial, design-forward atmosphere sets the tone for the rest of the property—from the intimate check-in area with its display shelf of curated goods to the jellyfish wallpaper adorning the walls in the signature quad bunk room (an Instagram sensation).

However, the true pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the property’s nautically themed restaurant, Sister Ship, whose specific design inspiration was conceived by Head of Development and Creative at Blue Flag, partner Brad Guidi, and is evident on every wall, shelf and floor. To enter into the restaurant and bar is a veritable feast for the eyes, if not an itch in the fingers, for some of the carefully collected pieces simply beg to be touched. Fortunately, the velvet couches, upholstered seating and copper-topped bar are all yours for the stroking. It’s as if the collected treasures of a female seafarer exploded into the space, just as intended.

A mindful eye has been trained toward the guest experience at Faraway. For instance, the ivy-covered barriers that separate the courtyard are not just for good looks but rather to protect guests’ privacy as they check in and make their way to and from their rooms. There is a complimentary fleet of bicycles outside the Guest House building, recognizing the joy of biking around the island, while the corner café inside Sister Ship serves wellness lattes made with matcha and golden turmeric.

The look for the 62 guest rooms, led by the design team at Life House Hotels, is characterized by the sophisticated choice of a high-gloss peacock blue paint color on all the trim and doors, colorful patterned fabric prints on the room’s chairs, headboards and curtains, and natural wood and rattan furnishings and chandeliers. The feel is almost subliminally colonial, but void of nautical clichés while still being undeniably maritime. For aesthete guests, who appreciate location-centric design in their hotel rooms, the Faraway delivers.

As Guidi will note, opening a hotel during a pandemic may seem a fool’s errand; however, in the case of Faraway Hotels’ Nantucket outpost (yes, there are more to come), the only fools would be those who don’t come and see the spectacle for themselves.

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.farawayhotels.com

Q&A

WITH BLUE FLAG PARTNER BRAD GUIDI

What’s the motto behind the hotel?

Get Lost, Come Back. We’ll be here.

Tell us the story of Sister Ship, since after all it was your vision.

The story of Sister Ship was grounded in this idea of a mythical woman who in her 20s set sail with eight of her friends. What was supposed to be a four-month journey for this all-female crew turned into a 20-year excursion. We always felt that Sister Ship is her living room and we are guests at her table. It was from that viewpoint that we were inspired by design—we thought about what she would have collected, what the room would have looked like, where an adventurous spirit like herself would live and what type of food they would serve. That is why the space and food come from a global vernacular.

What’s the cleverest element of the hotel, in your opinion?

I love the sneaky peek-a-boo window in our lobby’s retail cabinet that welcomes our guests with a cocktail upon arrival.

To what do you attribute your instant success this summer?

I think the success of the hotel was based a lot on a focus on hospitality. Our staff is wonderful and our guests really feel like it is their home for the stay. Beyond that, there is a lot of beautiful design to indulge in.