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.
Only a week left to soak in the glorious fall weather we've been experiencing on the Vineyard this season.
📸: @mindybriar
#winnetu #vineyarding #mv #katama
Islanders Stay Free at the Winnetu Oct. 22nd or Oct. 23rd!
Be our guest and treat yourself to a mini getaway at your home away from home, the Winnetu Oceanside Resort. Join us Friday or Saturday night for a little rest and relaxation. Give us a call at 866-335-1133 to learn more.
📸: @trendsandtolstoy
Soak up the last of this beautiful week. Stop by @thedunesmv for dinner with a view tonight.
#winnetu #mv #marthasvineyard #katama
Join us on Martha's Vineyard for an intimate food + wine festival with Executive Chef Michael Hervieux. A thoughtfully curated culinary weekend by the ocean with tastings, wine pairings and a cooking demo with a comedian. Tap the link in our bio for details!
#winnetu #mv #katama #marthasvineyard
Big news! Did you hear that our sister resort is now accepting reservations for its new accommodations? @lovangoresort reopens for its second season with expanded amenities and experiences, including luxury Treehouse, Glamping, and Villa accommodations. Tap the link in our bio to learn more and follow @lovangoresort for all the latest from the #USVI
#virginislands #lovango #isvirginislands #stjohn #stthomas
Rolling into fall with our Pup + Play package. Tap the link in our bio to learn more about this special offer for you and your K-9 BFF!
#winnetu #mv #newengland #katama #edgartown @marthasvineyard
Bass in the Grass is back! Tap the link in our bio to learn about how bidding on this original piece of art by Traeger DiPietro supports the Edgartown Board of Trade and scholarships for Vineyard students
#winnetu #mv #vineyard #newengland
Hop, skip, and jump downtown. What’s your favorite thing to do in Edgartown?
📸: @wanderingdarlings
#winnetu #edgartown #katama #mv #vineyard #marthasvineyard
September is already in our mind. Those who know, know that fall is a glorious time to be on-island. What’s your favorite reason to be on the Vineyard in September and October?
📸: @prepfordwife // @marcsford
#vineyard #winnetu #marthasvineyard #mv #newengland #katama
Escape for a long weekend this fall. Tap the link in our bio to learn why @bostonmagazine thinks Winnetu is one of the best ways to getaway this year.
📸: @wanderingdarlings
#winnetu #katama #mv #vineyard #thevineyard #marthasvineyard
Head Concierge Tim Benoit and General Manager Matthew Moore are just two of the many smiling faces you’ll find around the resort.
#winnetu #katama #mv #newengland #marthasvineyard #southbeach #edgartown
Guests and staff alike love welcoming the @vineyardsound to our Wednesday Night Clambakes. The seasonal group of acapella singers is a 29 year old tradition on the island.
Tap the link in our bio to learn about our weekly clambake.
#winnetu #mv #newengland #marthasvineyard #katama #coambake #vineyardsound #edgartown
Say hello to our A+ Concierge team, Tim and Allison. Looking for a restaurant recommendation? A sailboat to charter? A way to spend a sunny afternoon? These two know the island inside and out and are ready to help you make the most out of your Vineyard vacation.
#winnetu #mv #vineyard #marthasvineyard #newengland
Frosé your way to the Winnetu each Saturday for a little post-Beach Aprés Sea. Featuring poolside raw bar and summertime drinks, join us for this special event each weekend from 4pm - 5pm
📸: @kgeventsdesign
#winnetu #katama #mv #marthasvineyard
A nightly adventure into town. Book a seat on our water taxi into Edgartown, running each evening in the summer.
📸: @wanderingdarlings
#katama #winnetu #mv #newengland #igersnewengland #marthasvineyard
Turtle watching, freeze-tag, somersaults, and more. Brimming with fun, our great lawn is your front yard throughout a stay at Winnetu.
📸: @wanderingdarlings
#winnetu #mv #katama #vineyarding #vineyard #thevineyard #marthasvineyard #edgartown
It’s clambake season at Winnetu!
📸: @mcmenimon
#winnetu #mv #katama #marthasvineyard #
There’s magic in a stay at Winnetu, just ask @wanderingdarlings. Tap the link in our bio to read about their recent stay!
📸: @wanderingdarlings
#winnetu #mv #katama #marthasvineyard #newengland
Wishing everyone a happy 4th from sea to shining sea 🇺🇸
📸: @catboatcharters
#vineyard #mv #marthasvineyard #katama #winnetu
Hop a ride to the Edgartown Water Taxi aboard the Jitney, our beloved antique resort shuttle
📸: @marcsford // @prepfordwife
#winnetu #mv #marthasvineyard #thevineyard #vineyard #katama
It’s frosé o’clock, happy Friday!
📸: @juliadags
#mv #vineyard #marthasvineyard #katama #winnetu #mv
Welcome back: from the beach, from downtown, or whatever Vineyard adventure you got up to today.
📸: @juliadags
#winnetu #vineyard #vineyarding #marthasvineyard #thevineyard #katama #mv #newengland
Forecast calls for sunny summer memories on the Vineyard.
📸: @yuriko_nyc
#vineyarding #mv #marthasvineyard #katama #winnetu
In true Vineyard fashion, #NationalLobsterDay should be celebrated with a forkful of Fish Pot from Chef Mike’s new menu at @thedunesmv. Dunes is back open on Thursday, so we’ll see you for a post-#LobsterDay celebration then!
📸: @trendsandtolstoy
#lobster #mv #winnetu #katama #vineyard #marthasvineyard
Summer is here to stay. Pull up a chair and enjoy the view from #Katama.
📸: @trendsandtolstoy
#winnetu #mv #vineyard #marthasvineyard
