Entire home

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

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

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

The Captain Morse House
The Captain Morse House Front Entrance
Dual front porches on North Water St.
Looking up North Water towards town
View down Morse St. to the Harbor

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

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
12 bedrooms7 bathroomsSleeps 26743 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Check out the area

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

Rooms & beds

12 bedrooms (sleeps 26)

Bedroom #2 The Cat Room

2 Single Beds

Bedroom #3 The dressing room

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom #4 The Middle Room

1 King Bed

Bedroom #5 The Green Room

1 King Bed

Bedroom #6 - The Garden Room

1 Single Bed

Bedroom #7 The Secret Garden Room

1 Double Bed

Bedroom #8 The William Martin Room

1 Single Bed

Bedroom #9 The Sara Brown Room

1 Single Bed

Bedroom #10 The Sail Loft

2 Single Beds and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom #11 - The Joanna Pease Room

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom #12 ensuite with bathroom #1 - The Mary Smith Room

1 Double Sofa Bed

Master Bedroom #1 The John O Morse Room

1 Queen Bed

7 bathrooms

Bath #1 Front of the house 1st Floor

Toilet · Shower only

Bath #2 Back of the House 1st Floor

Toilet · Shower only

Bath #3 Front of the house 2nd Floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bath #4 2nd from the front of the house 2nd Floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bath #5 3rd from the front of the house 2nd Floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bath #6 4th from the front of the house 2nd Floor

Toilet · Shower only

Bath #7 3rd Floor

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

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
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed
Not on Airbnb. Not without written permission.

Pets

Pets allowed
When you pay a pet fee you can bring your pet/anim

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Tenant is required to sign our rental agreement. If you have permission to bring an animal then you will need to sign a Pet Addendum.
A Security Deposit will be placed on your Credit Card / No events at the house without landlords written permission. Fees may apply.
Always report any accidental damages or breakages in a timely manner and especially before you check-out.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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

We should mention

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

About the area

Edgartown

Located in Edgartown, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Vincent House Museum and Cottage Museum are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Circuit Avenue and Main Street. 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.

How much does it cost to stay at Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars?

As of 16 Apr 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars on 12 May 2024 start from AU$3,894.28, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

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

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 58 out of 60 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 60 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 60 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 60 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 60 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Patricia A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William & Sherry T.

Fabulous family fourth!
We spent 2 wonderful weeks at this amazing historical home. Platt, the owner, is so easy to get in touch with and so helpful The house was unbelievably well equipped with everything you could possibly need from the basics to bicycles and everything in between. There was absolutely itching we needed for our two week family stay that wasn’t there!! We’d highly recommend it for any type of event and hope to return again and again!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William & Sherry T.

Wonderful house for large family vacation!
This house has everything you could possibly need from stemware to bicycles and all in between. A fantastic family vacation house especially over the 4th of July as right on the parade route. We definitely recommend and hope to be back many more times!! Owner extremely easy to contact and very helpful throughput our stay.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marie C.

Winter on the vineyard
My family and I go to the vineyard every winter, and it’s always a great time. We usually stay at hotels but we really wanted to be together this time. We found the Captain Morse house and I could not be more thankful! Our weekend was everything we’d thought it would be and more. This house extremely homey and comfortable! We never wanted to leave! There were great paths for our annual night walk (yes, we walk in winter 😅) we were in walking distance to some amazing coffee shops and diners, and the kids had a ball during our dance party with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles! Above all I have to say, the management was the best part! You can stay at a place that has everything you need and more, but if the people running it aren’t accommodating or lack communication, you’d never want to go there again! This team went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and we were comfortable! They responded to a late night request as well which was very impressive! Safe to say…. We will be back next February! Thank you so much!!! The Crafts Family

About the host

Hosted by Platt Johnson

Host profile image
The Captain Morse House has been in our family since my father purchased it in 1955. I spent my summers at the house until I graduated from Tufts University. In 1973 I started Island Sports, a boat rigging and windsurfing shop. I expanded it to Newport RI in 1979 and ran it there until 2007 when we sold it. In 2008 I entered the vacation business and converted the Captain Morse House into a successful vacation rental. Since 2008 we have rented the home to over 200 families and groups.

Our most recent project is Vacation Rental MV. This is a full-service vacation management business designed to assist busy homeowners with listing and managing their on-island rental properties. 2021 will be our second season in business.

In the winter my wife and I live in Florida. Each spring we drive up to the island where we open up the house and prepare it for the season. We spend about a month doing this and then travel to Oregon where we spend the summer windsurfing, kitesurfing, and enjoying all that the Northwest has to offer. In the fall we return to the island and help close the house and prepare it for the winter. There are always jobs to do on a house this large and so this allows us more hands-on time. In the late fall, we travel back down to Florida with the geese. I have built several homes and enjoy the challenge of maintaining this old house and of creating wonderful living spaces suitable for large or small numbers of guests.

Due to my long time on the island. I can help to plan your vacation. I can provide you the best possible service if we communicate via telephone or email. Our guests aren't clients so much as they are friends assisting us in maintaining the property and keeping it in our family for future generations. The vacation rental business has allowed our family to continue to own the house and to share it with other people that love the island and the unique architecture and heritage of this wonderful building.

Why they chose this property

My father often visited Edgartown on his father's sailboat, the Gertrude. In 1955 my parents purchased the Captain Morse House in order to have a summer home to raise their growing family. Back in 1955 Edgartown was still a failed whaling town without the top reputation it now enjoys. Shortly after the purchase they added a separate kitchen and changed the house so that they could divide it into wings. This allowed them to rent them out separately. We have kept this configuration and you can still rent out the home Complete or as an East Wing or as a West Wing.

and I then spent every summer there until I moved to Newport Rhode Island in 1979. I continued to visit my parents each summer until 2007. I now spend as much time as I can on the island attending to the house and maintaining it. When it was built in 1840 it was perhaps the best home in Edgartown. Now movie stars and celebrities have built larger homes but non with the style and class of the Captain Morse House.

What makes this property unique

There are lots of modern and redone houses around but there are very few of these homes. Built in 1840 and filled with charm and character you will be enthralled by the beauty and simplicity of the home and it's surroundings.

Our guests say this is the perfect location. You are close to town and right up from the harbor. Park the car for the week or leave it on the mainland. Our location allows for freedom from car pooling and shuttles. Everything is literally a walk away. We love walking down Morse Street to the boatyard to see what's happening on the waterfront and to talk to the boaters and fisherman.
The large open home offers privacy and retreat no matter how many people fill the house.
The large backyard can serve as a base for quiet afternoons as well as an evening party.
The restaurants and shops are all an easy walk away but it is the waterfront that is the best part of living at the Captain Morse House. After all - it is a whaling Captain's home

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

More Holiday Rentals ideas

People also search for