we are thinking of going there in late august/early sept of 2002. we are a group consisting of:
my parents, early 60's
me and two sibs in 20's, 30's with spouses
three babies, on will be 2-3 months old, twins who will be 6 months old

we are into a place that is non-stuffy, non-snobby, yet luxurious and with good service. never been to nantucket.

any input?

Have you looked at their website yet? Pictures are worth a thousand words.
The highlights of the Wauwinet are the location (beautiful natural surroundings including tall grass hemmed beaches) and a great restaurant.
The rooms are small, "quaint" (but not at all luxuriousas in Four Seasons) and certainly unstuffy. Service is very good. Staff are very pleasant and accommodating. Prices are really high in August-September, and for 2002 the cheapest rooms are $440 per night.

We've been renting houses in ACK for the past 16 summers and have been to the Wauwinet many times for dinner (Toppers) and to visit friends who were staying there. It is casually elegant, luxurious with outstanding service BUT it is one of the most stuffy hotels I've ever been to. Makes a Four Seasons look like a Carnival cruise. I never speak above a whisper there for fear some of the very snobby guests will bring their noses down into earth's atmosphere and shoot me "the look". I honestly think it might not be the best place for young couples with babies. I think you might want to stick a mirror under some of the guests noses to see if they are still breathing. You may want to consider Cliffside Beach Club or The Summer house. I know I would feel more comfortable at either one of these. Plus the rates in late August start more at $ 550-$600/night at The Wauwinet. At about $ 2000/night for all of you why not rent a house? You could get a very nice house for less than the $ 14,000 a week you would spend at The Wauwinet. Add dinner there for about $200 a couple per night and you're talking another $ 700/night. Just my opinion but I would definetely look into renting a house.

People love the Wauwinet, people love Toppers. I am not one of them.

The location is spectacular.

The food is not. Much better service, quality, etc can be found in town or in Sconset. There are many world-class restaurants on Nantucket. While the Wauwinet is probably one of the most expensive hotels on island, and Toppers is one of the most expensive restaurants on island, there are better options.

Interior is "Ralph Lauren fluffy explosion" style. Very far from Nantucket town. Georgous, absolutely stunning views. Thin dock and entrance to harbor. Ocean beach not really swimmable.

The Wauwinet fools people into thinking that they are experiencing "the best". Your parents might like it. The kids probably won't. If you're looking for a family get together with sand castles, beautiful beaches, great dinners, shopping, and family get togethers I might recommend another place.

The back yard is a kind of croquet lawn. It's not terribly inviting. I agree with nina's review. It's very stuffy.

My only comparison to NY is that the Wauwinet is like Tavern on the Green. Great old dame reputation, beautiful location, ok food, ok service, but the people in the know aren't fooled. I'm not from NYC but I'm familiar enough to at least TRY to make the comparison!

There aren't too many big hotels or resorts on the island. Since you're interested in the Wauwinet I'd like to recommend a few other suggestions in that price range: The White Elephant is known as the nicest "hotel" in Nantucket town, although I have never stayed there as I think that it's sort of an eyesore. Beachside is probably my favorite hotel on the island as it has a very beachy/luxurious type of feel. Go to the restaurant on the beach and dine in an absolutely perfect setting. The kids can play on the combed private beach (leeward beach is safe for kids, no waves), and you're close to town/shopping/great food. My other favorite 'hotel' is the Summer House which is in Sconset. You can rent a small bungalow type of room. It's got quaint coming out the ying-yang.

Or go like Nina says and rent a house. This is probably the most common method of visiting Nantucket if you're coming with the big group.

My wife and I stayed there last summer. It's a nice place, but definetly overpriced. The restaurant is excellent, but the bill will run up fast there too. I agree with the previous poster that it would be more relaxed at the Summer House. There are great restaurants in town near the Summer House. If you do go to Wauwinet, know that some rooms are so tiny you can barely walk around the queen size bed in the room, while others are more in line with what you would expect. Try to reserve the larger rooms.

Oops I meant to say that my favorite hotel is CLIFFSIDE not BEACHSIDE (another hotel closer to town). Cliffside

Sorry for the confusion!

Yes Ack guy, do not steer nychick to the Beachside! I always confuse the two names too. We stayed there one night before our rental started several years ago. It's a dive. The place you want is called Cliffside Beach Club.

Ack guy is also right about swimming in front of The Wauwinet. We rented a house about 1/4 mile down the beach from The Wauwinet, and the bottom is rocky, plus no waves that we all love. Even though the house was right on the beach which was nice for views we ended up piling into the car to go to Miacomet or 'Sconset to swim!

Another vote for renting a house - I personally love the Wauwinet and Toppers (and, oddly enough, during a few suppers last year we saw a lot of little kids around) and don't think it's terribly stuffy although it's elegant in a VERY old-school way. It's quite luxurious and the service is top-notch. I just think it would be much more convenient for a group such as the one you're describing to find a house. With the money you're talking about spending, you'd certainly find a beautiful place in Town or out in Sconset, and you could probably pay to have cleaning service, too, if that's something that makes you lean towards a hotel more than a house. The White Elephant is actually owned by the same people as the Wauwinet, fyi. I think the whole family might get a little bored being out at Wauwinet; if you rented a house elsewhere, you could take the launch out to Toppers for lunch or supper, which is a fun trip. I love the Summer House but I think their accomodations might be a bit small for a group like yours. Good luck!

NINA - I tried to find the other thread to say thanks for the info about the websites with ACK rentals! I think we found a place. We're very excited to rent a place this year.

Glad to help Lizzie. I think having a house is so much nicer than staying in a Hotel in ACK. You can grill some fresh caught fish outside, or cook up some Bartletts Farm goodies, relax with a book in privacy if the Fog rolls in or rent a movie. Where's the house?