For More Than 100 Years, Vacationers Have Summered in Katama Along South Beach’s Shore
Before the days of air conditioning, the old Mattakeset Lodge was an ideal place to spend the summer months. Opened in 1873, the Lodge was popular for its clambakes, dances under the stars and, most importantly, its unique south-facing location by the sea that was consistently cooled by the gentle sea breezes during the heat of summer. It was one of the island’s earliest resorts.
For more than 20 years at the end of the 19th century, the Mattakeset Lodge was reached by the Martha’s Vineyard Railroad, a narrow gauge line that ran from the Oak Bluffs steamship wharf to the hotel’s front lawn. The railroad, though ultimately a financial flop, took vacationers on a spectacular ride along the island’s coast on its way to Edgartown and then to Mattakeset.
Early writings about the Lodge mention its well appointed facilities, including its own farm, steam laundry, twice-daily mail, tennis courts, billiards, bowling, bath-houses, and a rooftop promenade with views of Katama Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
The hotel closed towards the end of the century and pieces of the building were floated down the Bay to Edgartown to be reused.
Read one summer guest’s review of the Mattakeset Lodge at Vineyard Gazette’s Time Machine.
During World War II, Mattakeset’s region of Katama served as a U.S. Naval Air and Sea Base. After the war the site was developed into the Katama Shores Inn, which was removed in 1999 to make way for today’s Winnetu.
In the summer of 2000, the Snider family opened the Winnetu Oceanside Resort, carefully designed to reflect the Vineyard’s late-nineteenth century shingle-style character while providing all the modern conveniences guests expect today.
Through changes in seasons and passing of years, the Vineyard experience remains timeless and enduring. Hop a boat, leave the mainland behind, and enjoy what generations of visitors have come to our shore to seek.
Being the only hotel on Katama Bay, we’re neighbors with some of the finest oyster farming in the world. Our partnership with @signatureoysterfarm provides us with fresh oysters farmed by husband and wife team Ryan and Julia Smith, straight out of Katama Bay and delivered right to our back door and onto your plate (or cocktail!) at @thedunesmv.
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#winnetu #newengland @igersnewengland #mv #marthasvineyard #thevineyard #katama #oysters
Congrats to @mpappag, the latest winner of our #MyVintageSummer series! Her vintage summer photo stirred our Timeless Summer heartstrings and captured the essence of a day of adventures under the sun. If you have a vintage family photo that you think will do the same, share it with us and you might win a Winnetu vacation (or one with our sister resort, @thenantucket). Tap the link in our bio to learn more, and happy summering!
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#mv #winnetu #newengland #igersnewengland #mvy #summer #marthasvineyard #thevineyard
Swipe 👉 to see some high flying adventures with our neighbors over at @classic_aviators. Their bi-plane rides at historic Katama Airfield is a memorable part of the Katama experience 📸: @howieguja // @janaguja
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#winnetu #newengland #igersnewengland #mv #marthasvineyard #katama
Aquaculture enthusiasts rejoice! We’ve teamed up with @signatureoysterfarm to give guests the opportunity to tour their Katama Bay Oyster Farm, right in our backyard. Head out on the water with Oyster Farmers Ryan and Julia to tour their operation, taste their oysters, and enjoy a BYOB afternoon on sparkling Katama Bay. Tap the link in our bio to learn more 📸: @howieguja // @janaguja
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#Winnetu #newengland #igersnewengland #oysters #aquaculture #oysterfarming #oyster #katamabay #marthasvineyard #vineyard #mv
Leave your car on the mainland and take advantage of our Arrive & Drive option. We’ll arrange to have a rental Jeep, Mini Cooper, or one of several other options waiting for you at the ferry when you arrive! 📸: @mrsnipple_
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#winnetu #newengland #igersnewengland #marthasvineyard #thevineyard #vineyard
What’s your island ride? This is one of ours. 📸: @homewiththewileys
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#winnetu #mv #newengland #igersnewengland #marthasvineyard
Every day feels like the weekend here in Katama 📸: @mrsnipple_
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#winnetu #mv #newengland #igersnewengland #katama #marthasvineyard
Congratulations to our third #MyVintageSummer winner, Laurie Donahue, whose vintage family summer photograph we used to create this poster for our 2020 Season.
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Laurie’s photo captures exactly the kind of summertime energy we’re channeling to make this summer just as memorable as summers that came before it.
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If you’ve got a photo you’d like to submit for a chance to win a two night stay with us or our sister resort @thenantucket, tap the link in our bio to learn more.
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#winnetu #newengland #igersnewengland #mv #marthasvineyard #katama #summer
Winnetu gang’s all here for our impromptu 4th of July parade 🇺🇸
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#winnetu #mv #marthasvineyard #newengland #igersnewengland
Keeping you cool with a specialty cocktail this 4th of July. See you at the pool!
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#winnetu #mv #marthasvineyard #newengland #igersnewengland
Our new executive chef, Colin Coyle is bringing summer to life dish by dish this season. Join us for a summery dinner on our deck or in one of our private cabanas 📸: @caitlinhoustonblog
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#newengland #winnetu #resort #igersnewengland #marthasvineyard #mv #winnetu
Summer’s here and it feels so good! Tell us what you’re most excited about doing on-island this summer in the comments!
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#winnetu #mv #newengland #igersnewengland #marthasvineyard #summer #southbeach
Looking for a way to commemorate a special occasion? We’re offering private poolside dining in our cabanas this season. Enjoy the evening atmosphere with a party of up to four in memorable land summer-y setting. 📸: @candidlydeena
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#winnetu #mv #marthasvineyard #vineyard #thevineyard #newengland #igersnewengland
Sailing into summer views with this gorgeous shot by @vineyardlights. What iconic Vineyard sights get you excited for a trip out to the island? 📸: @vineyardlights
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#mv #winnetu #newengland #igersnewengland #visitnewengland #marthasvineyard #thevineyard #vineyard #edgartown #lighthouse
What’s the first place you’re stopping when you arrive on-island this summer? I’ve Cream & Candy Bazaar in Edgartown is one of our favorites- tell us in the comments below and tap the link in our bio to learn about new experiences at the Winnetu this summer! 📸: @emilyshell .
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#mv #marthasvineyard #newengland #igersnewengland #edgartown
We’re excited to offer Arrive & Drive rentals right from the Winnetu this year! In partnership with MV Auto Rental, we’re offering Jeep Gladiators (with Oversand permits!) plus a variety of other rental cars to get around the island. Rent from us right on-site or book a rental vehicle ahead of time and we’ll arrange to have it waiting for you at the ferry or airport upon your arrival. Tap the link in our bio and head to “Private Experiences” to learn more!
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#mv #newengland #igersnewengland #cape #marthasvineyard #thevineyard #vineyard
We’re back open to the public starting June 12th and ready for a #TimelessSummer on Martha’s Vineyard. Head on over to the link in our bio to learn about the new experiences, amenities, and activities we’re offering this season.
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We’re also excited to announce the first winner of our #MyVintageSummer campaign! Congrats to @amoskovitz on her winning vintage photo submission. We loved this shot on the beach from her childhood - it reminds us of everything we love about summer!
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#vineyard
#marthasvineyard
#mv
#newengland
#igersnewengland
Hello June, we’ve been waiting for you. We can’t wait to welcome you all back starting June 12th. Stay tuned for more.
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#newengland #igersnewengland #mv #winnetu #marthasvineyard #vacation
Feeling grateful this weekend and can not wait to welcome you back in just a few short weeks 📸: @catboatcharters
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#MV #winnetu #newengland #igersnewengland #island #resort #edgartown #sailboat
Here’s a little moment of #Vineyard zen to start off your week 📸: @vineyardgazette
Keep them coming! We’ve been receiving some amazing #MyVintageSummer submissions and we’re looking forward to seeing more. Tap the link in our bio to learn how submitting a vintage vacation photo could win you a stay with us or our sister resort @thenantucket! While you’re there, check out the other submissions in our virtual scrapbook, like this one from @amoskovitz!
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#Winnetu #mv #newengland #igersnewengland #marthasvineyard #resort #islandlife #summertime
Love this lighthouse and this shot by @crossroadsgallery. What sights are you looking forward to in your return to the island?
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#NewEngland #igersNewEngland #Wnnetu #MarthasVineyard #Vineyard #Lighthouse #Resort #MV #IslandLife
This red bi-plane is a familiar sight in the sky above the Winnetu. Hoping to hear its engines roar again soon. 📸: @lucydahl4 .
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#Vineyarding #Winnetu #NewEngland #igersNewEngland #MarthasVineyard #thevineyard
This year we’re looking backwards to find inspiration from the summers of years past. In hindsight they seem simple, but the memories are timeless: kites flown, fish caught, hands held, sandcastles built, people we love, people who loved us.
We found more of this inspiration in our family photo albums, where the simple, timeless joy of summer played out in photo after photo, from generation to generation.
Now we’re looking to you for more inspiration:
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📸 Share a vintage family photo with us using #MyVintageSummer and tagging @thenantucket & @winnetu.mv
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🏆 Visit the link in our bio to learn how submitting a vintage family vacation photo could earn you a complimentary vacation at @thenantucket or @Winnetu.MV
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🖼 All photos will be added to our the #MyVintageSummer virtual scrapbook on our website.
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Follow the link in our bio for details!
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#MarthasVineyard
#MV
#Winnetu
#Giveaway
#NewEngland
#igersNewEngland 📷: Digital Commonwealth
