• Wequassett Resort and Golf Club (Chatham; tel. 800/225-7125 or 508/432-5400): This institution occupies its own little peninsula on Pleasant Bay and offers excellent sailing and tennis clinics. It is also next to the Cape's premier golf course; guests have members' privileges. You'll be tempted to just relax, though -- especially if you score one of the clapboard cottages, done in an upscale country mode, right on the water. The on-site restaurant, 28 Atlantic, is one of the Cape's best.
  • Captain's House Inn (Chatham; tel. 800/315-0728 or 508/945-0127): An elegant country inn that positively drips with good taste, this is among the best small inns in the region. Most rooms have fireplaces, elegant paneling, and antiques throughout; the rooms are sumptuous yet cozy. This may be the ultimate spot to enjoy Chatham's Christmas Stroll festivities, but you may need to book your room a couple of years in advance.
  • Brass Key Guesthouse (Provincetown; tel. 800/842-9858 or 508/487-9005): The Brass Key Guesthouse, a compound consisting of five historic buildings, is the place to stay in Provincetown. With Ritz-Carlton-style amenities in mind, the owners have created a paean to luxury. These are the kind of innkeepers who think of everything: Pillows are goose down, showers have wall jets, and gratis iced tea is delivered poolside.
  • Cliffside Beach Club (Nantucket; tel. 800/932-9645 or 508/228-0618): Right on the beach and within walking distance (about 1 mile) of town, this is the premier lodging on the island. It may not be as fancy as some, but there's a sublime beachyness to the whole setup: simply decorated rooms; cheerful, youthful staff; a sea of antique wicker in the clubhouse; and, of course, the blue, yellow, and green umbrellas lined up on the beach. Every Fourth of July, guests get a front-row seat for the fireworks show at nearby Jetties Beach.
  • Charlotte Inn (Edgartown; tel. 508/627-4151): The only Relais & Châteaux property on Martha's Vineyard, this cluster of 18th- and 19th-century houses linked by formal gardens in the center of Edgartown has old-world charm. Rooms with the flavor of an English gentlemen's club are sumptuous. The restaurant on-site is top-notch.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.