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.
𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘
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𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥. 𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.
𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥
𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺! 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘶 𝘖𝘊𝘛 23𝘳𝘥!
𝗧𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗞𝗬 𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘
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𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟮 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁! 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘆.
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📸 @rosemary.tufankjian
𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗫 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦
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𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯?
📸: @rosemary.tufankjian
𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗠𝗘 𝗦’𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥!
𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴
📸: @rosemary.tufankjian
𝗜𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦
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Brooks might not get the reference, but he gets the vibe! What’s your top movies of the 80’s?
📸: @rosemary.tufankjian
𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚
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Game-Set-Can’t-Be-Matched
📸: @rosemary.tufankjian
𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗦
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Leave only your footprints behind
Kicking our feet up because @travelandleisure ranked us #6 in their annual list of New England’s top resorts. Oh, and a pat on the back to our sister resort, @thenantucket for tying us at #6.
📸: @stacieflinner
Get to the beach, by any means necessary. Book your Winnetu vacation before summer slips away.
Oysters and Rosé taste like summer. Celebrate the first day of summer with a dozen oysters and a bottle of @hamptonwater, available at a special price all season long at Dunes and the Pool Grill.
#winnetu #mv #marthasvineyard
We’re honored to be nominated once again for the Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards in the hotel and resort category.
We are passionate about providing the best experience and we’d be honored if you could give us your vote of confidence.
Cast your vote by June 30th for a chance to win an amazing trip for two from Stockholm to Bergen with Viking Cruises (provided by Condé Nast). Link in bio to vote!
📸: @rosemary.tufankjian
Don’t feel guilty for wanting some adult time! Give yourself a night out and have your kids join our Children’s Evening Program. Your kids will get to make friends, eat dinner, and enjoy outdoor games all while you take a night off!
Summer means poolside drinks and not a care in the world! What’s your go to poolside cocktail?
Hitch a ride to Edgartown by boat! Starting June 18th, our guests can enjoy a Water Taxi ride to and from town through Katama Bay.
Looking for the best ride in town? Hop on our wood paneled Winnetu Jitney for a beautiful look around the island!
Our Clambakes are back! Every Wednesday night you can follow the sounds of music to our front lawn and enjoy one of our favorite traditions. Who’s excited!?
No need to bring a car on the island. Winnetu offers complimentary shuttles downtown to all of our guests! Enjoy all there is to experience downtown without the hassle of parking!
Looking to head into Edgartown? Our signature Water Taxi cruise can get you there in style. Enjoy your night out and your ride there!
Opening day is tomorrow! It’s wonderful to see the lobby filled with old and new friends as we welcome in our first guests this weekend. Let the summer begin!
Chocolate covered strawberries, a bottle of prosecco, a couples massage, and so much more is waiting for you at Winnetu! The perfect vacation is on us when you sign up for our Couples Package.
South Beach is Katama’s backyard. For Winnetu guests, this iconic Vineyard beach is as easy as a hop, skip, and jump down our private beach path.
It’s May and that means Winnetu is back in only 10 days! We can’t wait to spend another sun-filled season with you. 🌼 🌊
Capture your favorite moments by booking family portraits at Winnetu! Working with @randibairdphoto is a great way to bring your vacation memories home with you. 📸
Adventure awaits! Winnetu’s private beach path leads you directly from the hotel lawn, right to this very spot at South Beach. It’s like your own slice of oceanfront heaven.
