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“The renovation is truly a response to our clientele,” says Ms. White. “The Island has such a unique vibe about it. We have both an extremely loyal clientele base, yet we are also seeing a ‘changing of the guard’ if you will. An affluent, ‘next generation’ is discovering the Island and creating its own new traditions among the old. They are the new ‘Hob Knobbers’ and are redefining the Vineyard experience. Martha’s Vineyard is understated, unhurried and has authentic New England charm. I wanted to capture this new renaissance, and it just made sense to renovate and reflect this.” Downtown Edgartown, with its historic districts, manicured flowerbeds, and preserved whaling captains’ homes, is not the first place one would expect to find cutting edge 21st-Century change taking place, yet with this new renovation Ms. White is breaking new ground with sustainability and environmental technology. The end result is a luxury that appeals to both the environmentally conscious guest and the luxury traveler. The list of upgrades at the Hob Knob is impressive and wide ranging. Recycling, composting and a water-saving linen reuse program are part of the inn’s daily operations. The 17-room establishment offers a local organic menu to guests, while rooms offer energy-saving CFL lighting systems, LEED-certified carpeting and low VOC paints. Cleaning products are nontoxic, and bath amenities are provided by Aveda, the natural beauty products company that runs its factories entirely on wind-generated electricity. While the environmental mandate might suggest compromised services, the reality is quite the opposite. Guests don’t need to sacrifice modern comforts for the sake of environmentalism; rooms feature DVD players, iPod docking stations, flat screen TVs, air conditioning, mini-bars, and Wi-Fi internet service. Many of the rooms overlook the inn’s tailored gardens and face the clean, white clapboard sides of classic whaling homes. Delicate touches like fresh-cut flowers in the rooms, English chintz fabrics, and antique furniture give the rooms a touch of elegance.
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Everything is in motion at The Hob Knob Inn in Edgartown. The storied 19th–Century Gothic Revival building which welcomed John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1947 for a sailing regatta and has been the destination of choice for generations of discriminating travelers is undergoing a million dollar-plus renovation. The transformation will see a luxury eco-conscious boutique hotel with state-of-the-art amenities and sustainable technology. Owner Maggie White, a multifaceted businesswoman who owns real estate and construction firms on Martha’s Vineyard, is bridging the 19th and 21st centuries with the makeover.