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7.1.15

Best of the Vineyard 2015 Lodging and Services

Lodging

Best Hotel, General Excellence: Harbor View Hotel

131 North Water Street, Edgartown, 508-627-7000, harbor-view.com

Runner-up: Dockside Inn

9 Circuit Avenue Extension, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-2966, vineyardinns.com

The Harbor View is a Vineyard classic, but that doesn’t mean stodgy – it just means it’s got a winning formula. Each room has its own distinct charm (Private porch? Bay windows? Kitchenette? All three?), and with the hotel’s prime location above Edgartown harbor, just walking out the front door is a treat. The Dockside Inn is serious about customer service: the hotel’s virtual concierge, Loomis, beat out big-name competitors to win the Massachusetts Lodging Association’s technology innovation award.

Best Budget-Friendly Lodging: Dockside Inn

9 Circuit Avenue Extension, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-2966, vineyardinns.com

Runner-up: Harbor View Hotel

131 North Water Street, Edgartown, 508-627-7000, harbor-view.com

The twenty-one-room Dockside Inn packs a punch. With comfy rooms, friendly staff, and a great location in the heart of downtown Oak Bluffs, it’s convenient for both visitors and their wallets. With specials throughout the year, the Harbor View Hotel is an ideal getaway. Seasoned Islanders get a break – perfect for staycations – and even Fido can come along with the hotel’s dog-friendly packages.

Best Family-Friendly Lodging: Winnetu Oceanside Resort

31 Dunes Road, Edgartown, 508-310-1733, winnetu.com

Runner-up: Harbor View Hotel

131 North Water Street, Edgartown, 508-627-7000, harbor-view.com

The Winnetu is a hop-skip-jump across the road from South Beach. But there’s plenty on-site for families too, most of it included in the regular hotel rates: weekly clambakes, life-size lawn chess, an array of programs for everyone in the group, from baby to grandma. Bring your minnow net and sand toys to the Harbor View, which is a stone’s throw from Eel Pond, Lighthouse Beach, and the Edgartown Lighthouse.

Best Romantic Getaway: Beach Plum Inn

50 Beach Plum Lane, Chilmark, 508-645-9454, beachpluminn.com

Runner-up: Harbor View Hotel

131 North Water Street, Edgartown, 508-627-7000, harbor-view.com

Few things are more romantic than a brilliant Menemsha sunset, and guests at the Beach Plum Inn, tucked away on a hill above the beloved harbor, have a prime view of nature’s nightly show. The Beach Plum offers both secluded, cozy cottages and traditional inn rooms. The Harbor View is ideal for any kind of getaway, from intimate couples’ weekends to busy wedding weeks. Some even choose to get married on the hotel porch.

Services

Best Architectural and/or Residential Design Company: Patrick Ahearn Architecture

Nevin Square, 17 Winter Street, Edgartown, 508-939-9312, patrickahearn.com

Runner-up: Sullivan + Associates Architects

52 Narragansett Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-0500, sullivanassociatesarchitects.com

From historic renovations to new home designs, Patrick Ahearn has long been in the business of making your vision a reality. This year he also designed the much coveted 2015 HGTV Dream Home, a Cape Cod–style house in Katama. Sullivan + Associates specializes in residential and commercial projects around the Island.

The Binks crew (left to right): George Fauteux, Michael Michalski, and Susan and Will deBettencourt.
Elizabeth Cecil

Best Auto Repair Shop: Bink’s Auto

29 Winthrop Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-2168

Runner-up: deBettencourt’s Service Station

83 New York Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-0751

When the dreaded engine light comes on, or worse, many head straight to Bink’s Auto. The friendly, knowledgeable staff can assist you with an oil change or brakes on the fritz, and will send you on your way with a smile. deBettencourt’s Service Station is there for everything from state inspections and a gas refill to more serious repairs.

Best Bank: Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank

Branches in Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury, 508-627-4266, mvbank.com

Runner-up: Edgartown National Bank

Branches in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven, 508-627-1100, yourislandbank.com

Between the friendly staff, warm atmosphere, and free lollipops, customers might start looking for excuses to stop by Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank. Thankfully, even extra trips are always convenient with several branches around the Island and two in Falmouth. Edgartown National Bank, the oldest community bank on the Vineyard, has a long history of success.

Best Contractor or Builder: Rosbeck Builders

20 East Line Road, Edgartown, 508-693-6300, rosbeckbuilders.com

Runner-up: Squash Meadow Construction

23A North Line Road, Edgartown, 508-693-7451, squashmeadow.com

Rosbeck Builders has been getting the job done for more than thirty years. The company prides itself on having skilled, happy employees – and that makes for happy customers. Squash Meadow Construction specializes in building green and modular homes.

Best Interior Design Company: Tracker Home Decor

89 Peases Point Way South, Edgartown, 508-627-8725, trackerhomedecor.com

Runner-up: Julie Robinson Interiors

510 State Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-5065, jrobinsoninteriors.com

From wallpaper to upholstery, the experienced, full-service design team at Tracker Home Decor is on hand to help make a house a home. Still looking for that perfect find to complete the look? Check out Tracker’s retail store. The trusted team at Julie Robinson Interiors wins rave reviews for its window treatments.

Best Landscape Company: Contemporary Landscapes

33 Kate’s Way, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6788, clmvland.com

Runner-up: Millers – Your Irrigation & Landscaping Solution

508-693-5428, millersprofessionalsco.com

Beyond creating beautiful outdoor vistas, Contemporary Landscapes is committed to working with natural elements and existing ecosystems, and has extensive experience with environmentally sensitive areas. The company also does masonry for fireplaces and chimneys. Millers can tackle everything from irrigation to tree care.

Best Real Estate Company: Point B. Realty

15 Winter Street, Edgartown, 508-627-4567, pointbrealty.com

Runner-up: Sandpiper Realty

60 Winter Street, Edgartown, 508-627-3737, sandpiperrealty.com

How to begin the house hunt? Many choose to start at Point B., a full-service agency with knowledgeable, friendly staff and a clients-first mentality. Plus, a portion of Point B. commissions is donated to Island nonprofits. Sandpiper has nearly fifty years of experience and a deep knowledge of the Vineyard.

Best Electrical Contractor: David J. Schwab Electric

Vineyard Haven, 508-693-0156

Runner-up: Dolby Electric

Edgartown, 508-627-8778

The light is still shining bright for David J. Schwab, a frequent winner in this always highly charged competition. After a year away, Dolby Electric surged back to the top of the pack.

Best Plumbing Contractor: Walter Smith Plumbing & Heating

3 Weeks Lane, Edgartown, 508-627-5661, waltersmithplumbing.com

Runner-up: A.P. Fortes Plumbing & Heating

155 Spring Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-2394

Weak water pressure? Spotty hot water? The team at Walter Smith Plumbing has got you covered. Smith and runner-up A.P Fortes are trusted among locals when it comes to plumbing needs – and  also provide heating services.

Best Taxi Service: Stagecoach Taxi

Edgartown, 508-627-4566, mvstagecoachtaxi.com

Runner-up: Your Taxi

Oak Bluffs, 508-693-0003

Stagecoach Taxi’s roots go all the way back to a late-nineteenth-century coach and buggy service. Today, the company uses comfortable vans – much to passengers’ delight. Your Taxi fans praise its great service and fair fares.

Veterinarian Steven Atwood with another satisfied patient.
Elizabeth Cecil

Best Veterinary Service: Animal Health Care Associates

20 Airport Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-6515, animalhealthcaremv.com

Runner-up: Vineyard Veterinary Clinic

276 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Edgartown, 508-627-5292

Pet owners only want the best when it comes to caring for their furry friends. Perennial winner Animal Health Care Associates offers full-service care for animals of all sizes, including exotic ones, as well as pet boarding and grooming. At Vineyard Veterinary Clinic, the friendly, experienced staff makes for purring patients.