Entire home

Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars

Photo gallery for Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars

Exterior
Exterior
12 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, travel cot
Dining
Combined shower/bathtub, hair dryer, towels
Reviews
10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • GymGymGym

Explore the area

Map
Edgartown, MA
  • Popular LocationEdgartown Lighthouse8 min walk
  • Popular LocationLighthouse Beach9 min walk
  • AirportVineyard Haven, MA (MVY-Martha's Vineyard)10 min drive
  • Popular LocationKatama Beach15 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars

The Captain Morse House is located in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. It is one of New England's premier vacation rental homes. It was built by the island's most successful whaling Captain in 1840. The 1840 Captain Morse House has a superb location on the waterfront and a walk to Edgartown's shopping and beaches. At the bottom of Morse Street lies the North Wharf where Captain Morse used to keep his whaling ships.

The home features 26 rooms with 12 bedrooms, 7 baths, two full kitchens, two dining rooms, and two living rooms. The home can be rented in its entirety or just as the East or West Wing with flexible floor plans starting with 5

Outside the house
On the iconic North Water Street, there are two spacious porches with views of Edgartown Harbor. The porches are framed by 10 Doric columns and face the harbor. They create an ideal place to spend the day. The large backyard and garden offer a private oasis from the bustle of a Vineyard summer. The yard is graced by three towering and magnificent Linden trees. Edgartown's North Wharf lies below the house at the end of Morse Street. It is a great place to go and enjoy the waterfront or perhaps some fishing. Our backyard is one of the most spacious and safe in town and features a bricked patio with seating for 20 with a very nice barbecue. The tool shed holds complimentary bicycles, beach chairs, and lawn games.

About the Interior
The home is spread out over three floors and offers a variety of public rooms and private bedrooms. The front of the first floor has a large formal living room with dual access portals to the front porch. Next to it is the front entranceway that features a lovely spiral staircase built by local shipwrights. Next comes the media room that doubles as a spare bedroom and then a formal dining room and gourmet kitchen. As you walk by the front kitchen you enter the back of the house with a large living and dining area, a private ensuite bedroom, and a full modern kitchen with an island and seating for four. This is a great informal space for more casual gatherings.

The second floor again starts with a magnificent front porch that can be accessed from either the master bedroom or the second large bedroom. From here to the back of the house are another 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. These are all laid out in a way that you will not see in other houses built more recently. It is part of the charm of the house.

On the third floor, there are an additional four bedrooms. This is the simplest part of the house and was where the servants used to live. Back in the 1800s, it took a small army to run the house. Not all of them could actually live at the house. Some lived on Chappaquiddick Island and took the ferry operated by Captain Morse's father Uriah.

As you might be able to guess we specialize in large families, family reunions, weddings, anniversaries, and any event where people want to enjoy each other's company without the distraction of others. Large groups regularly book our home for its charm, comfort, and unique character and grace. With that said our repeat tenants tend to be smaller families of 6 or so. They then invite friends to come and visit. In my youth, I lived in the house with my family. It seems unusual now but back then we just took it for granted and helped our father with the maintenance and lawn work.

Events:
Parties and events are not allowed on the Airbnb Booking platform due to their global ban on events over 16 people. Events are allowed only with the express written consent of the Host. Please request more information.

The Surrounding Area:
The Captain Morse House is located at the corner of Morse and North Water Streets. The town of Edgartown is defined principally by its Main Street. To the south is South Water Street which winds by the giant pagoda tree and towards the road to Katama and South Beach. North Water Street runs the opposite way and the Captain Morse House is located about halfway between Main Street and the Harbor View Hotel which looks over the Edgartown Lighthouse and the entrance to the harbor.

Summary
We are committed to doing whatever we can to make your stay in our family home on Martha's Vineyard a special one. We think that our house is the best in town and offers our guests a truly unique experience.
You can see more detailed information on The Captain Morse House on our website. Just search for captainmorsehouse.

EXPECTATIONS
This is where, in the interest of transparency, we divulge all of the things that you ought to know about the house
This may repeat what is on Airbnb

PARKING
The fewer cars you bring to the island the better. That said....
We have space for up to 4 cars in our single-lane driveway.
We also have rented guaranteed available additional parking one block away for another two cars and possibly more.
When the Wings are both rented the East Wing gets the driveway and the West Wing gets the two spots down the street. This way no one gets blocked in.

There is free parking on the street during the day for up to two hours in the season and all day off-season.
There is no parking overnight from 2:00 am to 7:00 am.
There are two town parking lots with overnight parking at the foot of Main Street and at nearby Mayhew Lane.
There is another lot up at the Triangle called the Dark Woods Lot.

WATER
You are 200 feet from Edgartown Harbor. Walk out of the house and down Morse Street to Edgartown's North Wharf. This is a public wharf and also houses the harbormaster and a marine store. We have a Boston Whaler that is docked here and available as a separate rental. We mention this because some may consider that a hazard.

STAIRS & RAILING
This house was built in 1840 before modern building standards. There are steep stairs from the West Wing of the 1st floor to the 3rd floor and from the East Wing's 2nd floor to the 3rd floor. There are also low railings on the porches and at the West Wing 2nd-floor landing. Small children will need supervision. People with mobility issues should stay on the 1st floor or use the elevator in the East Wing.

CAMERAS
Two exterior cameras and three doorbell cameras cover entrances and patio. The interior camera can be turned towards the wall when you come in.
These are for your protection only.

NOISE
You are three blocks away from Main Street. This is an "in-town" location with all the advantages of walking to pretty much anything you want. The disadvantage is that traffic will be sometimes heard at the corner of Morse Street and North Water Street. The other Wings Guests can sometimes be heard.

TERMS AND RATES:

All pricing, availability, and terms are subject to change without notice. We use a dynamic pricing strategy that adjusts to market demand and other factors.
A booking is confirmed when we receive a payment and a signed lease. We reserve the right to cancel any booking where we feel the rates are inaccurate.

All rentals are subject to our lease, manual, and house rules whether you have expressly signed a lease or not.
Late or Early check-ins seriously disrupt our associate's schedules and other guests and are subject to a fee of $100 per quarter hour

REV: 2024-02

Property manager

Platt Johnson

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Limited on-site parking (max. 4 spaces)
  • On-site parking
  • Car available

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Ice maker
  • Spices
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Dining

  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 12 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 7 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Games room
  • Video games
  • DVD player
  • Stereo
  • Books
  • Music library
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Office
  • Computer monitor
  • Printer
  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • In-room accessibility
  • Lift
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Chef
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • On the waterfront
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Fitness centre
  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Water sports equipment
  • Cycling on site
  • Tennis on site
  • Boating on site
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Marina nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Cycling nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Unit size: 8000 sq ft (743 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Note from host: When you pay a pet fee you can bring your pet/anim

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Not on Airbnb. Not without written permission.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

orp5b2cb84x
Luxurious Captain's Mansion Waterfront Town Beaches
Luxurious Captain's Mansion Waterfront Town Beaches 5 Stars

About the area

Edgartown

Located in Edgartown, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Island Queen Ferry and Woods Hole Ferry Terminal are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Inkwell Beach. Oak Bluffs Fishing Pier and Island Cove Miniature Golf are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Edgartown Lighthouse - 8 min walk
  • Lighthouse Beach - 9 min walk
  • Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust Historic Buildings - 8 min drive
  • South Beach - 12 min drive
  • Katama Beach - 15 min drive

Getting around

  • Vineyard Haven, MA (MVY-Martha's Vineyard) - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • Seafood Shanty - 5 min walk
  • 19 Raw Oyster Bar - 7 min walk
  • Wharf Pub & Restaurant - 4 min walk
  • Nomans - 9 min drive
  • Espresso Love - 8 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Vincent House Museum, Old Whaling Church and Edgartown Lighthouse. Lighthouse Beach and Edgartown Public Library are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 59 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 61 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Patricia A.

Liked: Cleanliness
70th Birthday Party
We hosted a 70th Birthday Party. We invited friends and family to spend the weekend with us to celebrate this milestone. Everyone loved the property. It had everything we needed; plenty of places to gather, eat and walking distance to downtown Edgartown. It was March so it was cold and windy. The house has so much character, history and lovely little extras you have to experience. A wonderful experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erica P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great first visit to Martha’s Vineyard
Our family (20 of us) had a lovely week on Martha’s Vineyard staying at the Captain Morse House. The house was excellent, in a great location and fit our family’s needs perfectly. We highly recommend staying there.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cristen M., Cambridge, MA

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay for large group in Edgartown
Lovely historic house in an excellent location. The host was great and very helpful. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bernard G., Santa Barbara, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Captain Morse House
Excellent
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Norman Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Golf trip
Perfect
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Caitlin D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home in a perfect location
The Captain Morse House was lovely and in a perfect location in Edgartown. The kitchens were well stocked, the yard and patio were beautiful, and the house was full of charm and history. I highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous in all regards
We'd not hesitate for a moment before returning. Our group was adult siblings, spouses, and young children. The house (we had both wings) was perfect for us. There was space to spread out--adults could be in the front living rooms while kids enjoyed feeling independent in the back. Two kitchens avoided any crunches of space. Bedrooms galore provided great flexibility. A short walk to Lighthouse Beach or to town provided perfect outings. And, used to living ourselves in a house of a similar era (early 1800s) with English antiques accented by China Trade pieces, we felt perfectly at home. The house clearly has a force field around it that avoids "beach house kitsch." It's just charming. And three big cheers for the Heidi, the manager. On top of providing a wonderful welcome when we arrived, she hit true heroics at 10:45am on New Year's Day when she answered our call on the first ring and arrived at the house within minutes and jumped our car, the battery of which had died, in time to make our boat off-island. That is truly above and beyond.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

mitchell m., Ridgewood, NJ

Liked: Cleanliness
Capt Morse house
Very well out-fitted house with all necessary amenities including bbq, beach towels, games, internet, printer, & cooking utensils.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Taylor M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house for a big group
We were a group of 10 work colleagues who enjoyed the house for some off site meetings and fun. It was great for both. Plenty of space for people to gather or spread out as needed. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rike B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best Family Vacation Ever!
We stayed at the Captain Morse House for a large family celebration (10 adults and 3 kiddos) and had the most lovely stay! The house is situated perfectly between cute shops in downtown Edgartown and the idyllic lighthouse. We loved taking strolls for a morning pastry, followed by lunch at the house and a meander to the beach to frolic in the ocean. The house also has bicycles, which we took out to explore other parts of the island. The Captain’s house was a perfect place to stay -- we got to hang out all under one roof, eat meals together, watch the Warriors together etc. All while having enough space for everyone to feel comfortable and enough rooms to nestle in by one’s self if needed. There are two kitchens (fully equipped with all sorts of cooking utensils, platters, dishes, anything you could want ) -- our family used the smaller kitchen for breakfast preparation and the large kitchen for epic dinner preparations. As for the sleeping quarters, the bedrooms are cozy and flooded with light. Two of the upstairs bedrooms connect to a gorgeous porch which is great for a nice view and people watching. There is also a downstairs porch that was perfect for cocktails and many games of chess. The backyard outdoor space was beautiful -- the tables outside were great for a delightful outdoor lunch while the kids ran around on the lawn nearby. The owners are also incredibly kind and generous and made our stay at Capt. Morse’s house very special, smooth and sublime! We cannot wait to visit again. June 10, 2019
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019