Travel Guide to Martha's Vineyard: The Lightkeeper's Inn

At the beginning of this summer, a couple of friends and I decided that we needed a break from city traffic and stressful exams. After a little travel brainstorming - where can we go that's nearby, pretty and relaxing? - we hopped on a bus bound for Massachusetts; specifically, for Martha's Vineyard.

None of us had ever been to the Vineyard before, so Google was essential in preparing for our trip, and was how we came across The Lightkeeper's Inn. The pictures and promises posted on its website (http://www.thelightkeepersinn.com/) decided us, and so before long, we had booked a suite and were on our way, hoping that it would live up to our expectations.

The Lightkeeper's Inn is located in Edgartown, one of the six main towns found on Martha's Vineyard, the others being Tisbury (where the main village, Vineyard Haven, is), West Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Chilmark and Aquinnah. We ended up very happy with its locality, since Edgartown turned out to be our favorite neighborhood out of all the ones we visited on the Vineyard. It was scenic, quiet (although we were there right before the Vineyard's busy summer season began, so its quietness may not be typical) and its residents were unfailingly friendly, no matter how many times we had to ask them for directions or advice.

After piling our bags into a taxi at the ferry terminal, we were soon dropped off at the doorstep of the Inn. Our landlady was already waiting for us at the door (having previously ascertained our time of arrival), beaming us a happy welcome and ready to hand us our keys. We didn't have to deal with any lobby check-ins or form-signings; instead, we were ushered straight into our suite without delay and given a quick tour by our host.

The suite was cozy and beautiful - first there was the bedroom, featuring a queen-sized four-poster bed, a beautifully carved wood dressing table, with a matching desk and nightstand. Next, we were led into the living room, featuring a full kitchen, miniature dining table, armchair and large sofa that also pulled out to make a second bed. Attached was our bathroom, with its bathtub, walls and sink all sparklingly white and clean.