One of Martha's Vineyard's Most Iconic Hotels Will Reopen Next Year — With a Gorgeous Pool and New Restaurant

Nov 20, 2023

Welcome to the new Faraway, Martha's Vineyard, in Edgartown, Massachusetts.

The Kelley House, a historic 1742 tavern on Martha's Vineyard, will begin a new chapter of its storied history as part of hospitality group Faraway. It's the second property in the growing portfolio from the Boston-based real estate firm Blue Flag Partners. Taking over Kelly Street in Edgartown, Massachusetts, in May 2023, The Faraway will offer guests an outdoor sushi restaurant, a new pool, a spa, 58 rooms, and lush gardens.

Courtesy of Blue Flag Partners/Faraway MV

"As our first property on Martha's Vineyard, we truly understood the challenge of being the next stewards for the Kelley House, a historic and beloved property," said Jason Brown, one of the managing partners at Blue Flag Partners and co-creators of Faraway Hotels, told Travel + Leisure. "The campus's design is rooted in the historic backdrop of Edgartown, with midcentury styling, while remaining true to the laid-back island vibe and beautiful botanicals that Martha's Vineyard is known for."

Courtesy of Blue Flag Partners/Faraway MV

Brown and Guidi drew inspiration from the 1970s art and music culture on the island as well as from a fictional muse that the duo and the team came up with in order to synchronize the aesthetic of the multi-era buildings that will make up The Faraway hotel.

"We dreamed up a woman who grew up on the island in the 1960s, tending to her gardens all the while learning the healing powers plants possess. She documents the potent, powerful sense of calm, tangled root systems, and healing power of plants throughout the property. Every drawer, wall, cup, and corner is filled with artist experimentation," Guidi explained.

They scoured antique markets for authentic midcentury furniture and décor and commissioned artists to create custom botany-inspired artworks to display in the lobby. The reception area is anchored by a sleek sitting area with statement leather sofas and a fireplace, while floral arrangements spill from the lobby's bookshelves. Additionally, each room will feature a record player referencing the island's musical heritage.

Courtesy of Blue Flag Partners/Faraway MV

Long-time guests of Kelley House will be happy to return to their beloved Newes From America pub, which will serve locally sourced food and drinks. The pool and spa are now in the middle of the property, surrounded by lush greenery that gives travelers more privacy. The Pelican Club, which started as a pop-up in 2021, will return to Faraway as a sushi restaurant and cocktail bar. The new property will also have an extensive experiences program that, according to Brown, will include sunset boat rides, barefoot golf, deep sea and shore fishing excursions, and stargazing by Edgartown's lighthouse.

"Ultimately, we want to create a new place on the Vineyard to inspire people well past checkout. After all, the best boutique hotels in the world grasp and give shape to the community in which they are built. We aspire to do just that," Brown added.

Nightly rates at Faraway Martha's Vineyard will start at $695, and the property will be open year-round.