At the heart of Martha’s Vineyard, erstwhile haunt of whale hunters, a captain’s house in pure traditional British style. Built in 1864 for Samuel Osborne, a famous merchant, the Charlotte Inn is a window into another time, which envelops you in its romantic atmosphere. The staff, alert to the smallest detail, cultivates a deliciously old-fashioned elegance and courtesy. The suites decorated with antique lamps and silk or linen fabrics are exquisite. Between one iced tea and the next on the flower-filled patio, go off to discover the wild island surrounding you, from its lighthouse and its beaches, ideal for waterskiing and kayaking. Ulysses Simpson Grant, Jackie Kennedy and Bill Clinton all fell under its charm.