Nantucket's White Elephant and The Wauwinet Voted "World's Best" by Travel + Leisure Readers

Nantucket, MA – (08-12-11) The White Elephant is no stranger to Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards and this year graces the pages of a new category as #19 out of 50 domestic properties for Top Family Hotels in the US and Canada. The White Elephant was also the only hotel on Nantucket to be ranked in the Best Hotel by Region list. With calm and sandy Children's Beach right next door and a variety of activities for parents and kids alike, it's no surprise that the award winning harborside Nantucket hotel was recognized for its family-friendliness. The on-site restaurant, Brant Point Grill, serves up delicious steak and seafood with a view of the harbor (and little ones will be in heaven with the kid-friendly options on the children's menu). And be sure to stop by on Sundays for what the Inquirer and Mirror has named the "Best Brunch on the Island!"

This is also the first year The Wauwinet has been recognized and it was voted #7 on the Top Inns in the US and Canada (fewer than 40 rooms) and is the only Massachusetts inn on the list. The award winning inn lies at the northeast end of Nantucket, flanked by Nantucket Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Trimmed in the weathered grey shingles synonymous with Nantucket, the inn offers a romantic escape from the buzz of town. Guests at the hotel – the island's only Relais & Châteaux property – have the choice of staying in a guest room or a cottage. In-house restaurant, TOPPER'S, is the island's most glamorous with creative dishes such as spicy tuna "pizza" or the lazy lobster bake. TOPPER'S has also been honored with the Wine Spectator Grand Award, the publication's highest honor, for 15 years running and is rated the best overall restaurant on Nantucket by Zagat.

The World's Best Awards give readers a chance to select their favorite hotels, spas, airlines, cruise lines, outfitters, cities, and islands around the globe. The awards are based on a first quarter 2011 survey of thousands of savvy world travelers. Subscribers were asked to rate hotels based on rooms and facilities, location, service, restaurants and food, and value. Properties are judged out of 100, and this year the White Elephant was rated 92.50 and The Wauwinet 90.67.

The White Elephant and The Wauwinet are owned and operated by Nantucket Island Resorts, a collection of premier properties on Nantucket Island that includes White Elephant Hotel Residences, Jared Coffin House, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, and Nantucket Boat Basin. To learn more about The White Elephant and The Wauwinet please visit http://www.whiteelephanthotel.com/ and http://www.wauwinet.com/

For more information on the "World's Best Awards," visit www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest