The Rise of Luxury Amenities in Nantucket Homes

06/09/2026

Nantucket’s reputation as a premier luxury destination has naturally shaped the expectations of homebuyers and renters on the island. While certain features of Nantucket homes have remained the same throughout the years, like the classic cedar shakes on exteriors, other features have evolved dramatically. Many of today’s top Nantucket homes incorporate modern amenities that are designed for comfort, entertainment, and wellness. Here’s a closer look at the high-end features driving demand in Nantucket’s luxury real estate market.

Guest Cottages & Multi-Dwelling Setups

Space is a luxury on an island with limited land, which makes having multiple structures on a single property here such a premium asset. Many high-end Nantucket homes feature a full guest cottage on the same property, complete with their own kitchen and living areas. Having a separate guest house for when family and friends come to visit is ideal for both parties - everyone gets to be in close proximity, while still maintaining their personal spaces. In short, guests feel welcome and their hosts maintain their privacy and routine. Guest houses are also perfect for renting in the off-season for additional income. Another structure that many upscale houses on-island feature is a pool house / cabana, which often have their own lounge areas, bathrooms, and bars. This makes taking a dip in the pool convenient, while saving the main house from wet towels, puddles on the floor, and dirty feet. Other uses for a secondary dwelling include art studios, nanny living quarters, home offices, and saunas.

pictured above: 30 Devon Street

Spa-Like Primary Suites

Buyers increasingly want a primary suite that feels like a private retreat, blending coastal charm with elevated comfort. Modern primary bedrooms often feature vaulted ceilings and large beds, with custom walk-in closets. It’s also popular to have a private deck or balcony connected to the primary suite. The spa-like features continue into the primary bathroom, which is often equipped with an oversized steam shower, deep soaking tub, and heated floors. Many of the vanities used in bathrooms are made from a high-end natural stone or wood like white oak. The ultimate goal is to create a sanctuary that feels both serene and luxurious after a day at the beach or on the water.

pictured above: 15 Aurora Way

High End Kitchens Designed for Entertaining

Many Nantucket homeowners love to host, so kitchens have become a living space that’s of utmost importance. These spaces often feature a large center island for gathering, along with wet bars, full butler’s pantries, and even wine cellars. It’s also important that the appliances and fixtures used in the kitchen are attractive and up-to-date - popular brands include Sub-Zero, Wolf, and La Cornue. Some luxury appliances that make great additions on top of the standard household appliances are wine refrigerators, instant boiling water faucets, pizza ovens, and other smart-tech items. Homeowners can create a kitchen that blends functionality with a timeless aesthetic by seamlessly blending countertops, backsplashes, appliances, paint colors, and fixture finishes into a single cohesive look, making the room as beautiful as it is practical.

Pictured above: 14 Aurora Way

Resort-Like Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor living spaces have become a must-have, especially for summer residents who use their homes for entertaining. Expansive patios and outdoor kitchens with built-in grills, pizza ovens, fridges, and wet bars have become popular for hosting, in addition to fire pits, which allow for cooler evenings to be spent outside. One item that’s particularly sought-after by families is a heated pool on the property. And to provide the utmost privacy for a backyard retreat, many homeowners or renters choose to have a lush and professionally landscaped yard, often using plants that are native to the island, which seamlessly blend into the surrounding land. Because Nantucket has a short but spectacular summer season, these amenities help homeowners maximize outdoor enjoyment.

Pictured above: 25 High Brush Path

Smart Home Integration

Despite the island’s historic charm, Nantucket’s high-end homes are embracing technology more than ever. Popular integrations include fully automated lighting, climate control, and window treatments, all helping to create the highest level of comfort throughout the house. Things like high-speed networking have become a necessity nowadays, whether it be for remote work or entertaining purposes. Another necessity is remote security monitoring for that off-season peace of mind. On the outside of the home, smart irrigation systems are often put in place to keep larger properties looking pristine. Outdoor living spaces also tend to feature smart products that can be controlled from a phone, like grills, hot tubs, and fire pits. The discreet nature of these smart systems fits well with the island’s minimalist, understated luxury look.

Wellness Amenities

Health and relaxation are major priorities for today’s buyers, as everyone seems to want a coastal retreat that feels like a personal sanctuary. Homeowners create rooms specifically for the purpose of wellness, including home gyms that feature Peloton bikes, rowing machines, and mirrored fitness walls, along with at-home yoga studios or meditation rooms, and massage rooms. Saunas and cold-plunge pools are other wellness-focused additions commonly found in or outside of a house. These amenities allow homeowners to maintain a resort-quality wellness routine without ever leaving the property.

Pictured above: 35 Milk Street

Entertainment Rooms & Home Theaters

Entertainment rooms and home theaters in Nantucket homes have evolved into immersive, multifunctional spaces designed for both relaxation and socialization. For home theaters, think of comfy tiered couches, a strategically placed surround sound system, and state-of-the-art projection or HD flat-screen televisions. For ease of use, smart technology allows users to control all of these features with the touch of a button, allowing for the dimming of lights, the start of a movie, or the adjustment of volume. Entertainment rooms can be a separate feature, often including wet bars, wine displays, flat screen TVs, cozy lounge seating, and game tables for things like shuffleboarding, ping pong, billiards, and cards. Entertainment rooms and home theaters are both perfect options for a rainy or cold day on the island, or just for extra privacy on crowded summer days!

Pictured above: 256 Polpis Road

While Nantucket’s charm is rooted in its preservation of the past, the island’s luxury homes reflect the demands of modern living. High-end amenities—whether wellness-inspired, tech-driven, or designed for effortless entertaining—are reshaping what buyers look for and how they experience their time on the island. Today’s Nantucket homeowner wants the best of both worlds: timeless coastal beauty paired with thoughtful, refined luxury.