And Beyond / USA / Nantucket
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We were prepared to bash this one. Who could bring a New York City style hotel to the prim New England island of Nantucket & make it work?

Vanessa Noel was perfectly capable of pulling it off. But we checked-in to see how. Noel's forte is shoes, the likes of which have graced "Sex in the City" stars, Madonna & the late Princess Di. Some of her shoe styles are exclusive to Nantucket, making the shop a 'must-see'.

Noel's family roots are in Nantucket. Opening a "Vanessa Noel Shoe Boutique" was a no-brainer for the talented designer. Then came her stylish boutique hotel, simply called VNH, the Vanessa Noel Hotel 8 small rooms above the shop & the Vanno Bar off the check-in area. Rooms are upstairs. Think chic attic-style. Ours were double-bedded & very tiny for the $350 a night (+ tax). Some are a bit bigger, with bigger beds & cost more. Perfect for few nights. For longer, we would have wanted more space.

The old gray shingled house doesn't look like a hotel. It looks just like what it was...a vintage clapboard home. Like so many others in Nantucket Town. It's discreet all right, but with a fabulous location for shopping & dining. A location you're paying for, but well-worth it. Especially if you come to the island without a car, for a short time.

So how'd she make the small/old interior into boutique/new? Vanessa's design savvy enabled her to fit a lot of comfort into the rooms (much needed after a day of pounding the cobblestones shopping). Bvlgari toiletries, Philippe Starck marble bathrooms, plasma TVs, Frette linens, feather beds & silk shades. All creamy & white. A hideaway reminiscent of Ian Schrager, but with a softer edge.

Our "sticky" points were: No pad or pencil next to the bed. The air conditioner was a bit noisy. There were no shelves for unpacking our suitcases, only space for hanging clothes. No TV or telephone directions. And where to put all those extra pillows at bedtime?

None of these issues bothered us much, especially after meeting Vanessa. She's low key & aims to please. And responded with genuine interest to our comments. This one-woman "show" seems anxious to make her hotel as good as it can be. She already has a loyal following. Especially New Yorkers who understand space issues. And others, like us, who aren't crazy over old-fashioned New England decor & ambience you'll find in most Nantucket accommodations.

Not all town business owners are happy with the VNH. Do they fear losing the traditional Nantucket? The chintz & potpourri? Or is it just sour grapes? Whatever it is, Vanessa Noel won't be finished with public scrutiny for awhile. She's busy working on a very chic beauty spa she'll be opening right across the street.