I just returned with my church group from a weekend trip to Martha's Vineyard and we stayed at the Wesley Hotel. The hotel is old and dated (built in 1879 and remodeled in 1986 according to their pamphlet), with sparse furnishings as previous reviewers have stated, but I wouldn't go as far to call it a dump.

There is the Wesley Hotel and directly next door is the Wesley Arms. If you require the assistance of an elevator, make sure you're assigned a room in the Wesley Arms. Wesley Hotel does not have an elevator and the 2 buildings are not connected by an extension.

These are the things I disliked about the hotel:

The rooms are not equipped with telephones, microwaves, nor refrigerators

If you like to take baths, forget about it because the bathroom is equipped with a shower stall only and it's small. Also, you're only given 2 sets of towels per room, but if you need extras (and you will if you have a room mate) the front desk can accommodate you with additional sets.

Although the hotel has a dining room, no food is served at this establishment, not even a continental breakfast.

There is a ice machine and vending machine inside the Hotel but not in the Arms.

What I liked about the hotel:

Location, location, location.

Right across the street from Oaks Bluff Harbor and within walking distance to restaurants and shops.

The long porch and rocking chairs (the Hotel and Arms).

The quaint, colorful, cottages within a stones throw of the hotel (the shortcut we took everyday to get from the hotel to our breakfast destination on Circuit Avenue).

If you're relying on public transportation to get around the island, there is a bus stop in front of the hotel. If you want to rent a car, there is a Budget Car agency across the street.

The rooms were clean, the beds were comfortable (at least to my taste) and the a/c worked! (It was a hot and humid weekend.)

The staff was friendly and accommodating. Prior to our arrival, they took it upon themselves to make a roster of everyone in our party and their room assignment. Upon check-in, we all received a copy of the roster so that we would know where everyone was located between the 2 buildings. They also provided assistance to one of our members who received word of a family emergency within 24 hours of arrival and had to leave and return to Michigan.

This is definitely a no-frills hotel, but based on what I saw traveling the island, they are probably not alone. I feel my accommodations were sufficient for the amount of time I spent inside the hotel. I would probably expect more amenities if there was little to do on the island. I plan to return next year and will probably stay again at the Wesley Hotel, even given my dislikes.

The good stuff: perfect location for access to Oak Bluffs' party and restaurant scene, beautiful from the outside, great porch with rocking chairs for enjoying the weather and a great view of the harbor, very nice lobby with period furnishings and old photos. The marginal stuff: a worn feel to the furnishings, cleanliness of the common areas is spotty, and boaters can use coin-operated bathroom/shower rooms (unregistered guests wandering the halls). The bad stuff: poor mattress, some of the roughest sheets I've ever slept on, small room, tiny bathroom, generally a very cheap feel to everything in the room. In conclusion, for the high season, the rates are probably very good, but next time I would try another hotel just to see if I can do better.

The exterior views are much nicer than the interior experience. More of a motel than a hotel. The beds are not good at all. The bathrooms have only a shower, with "home depot" style cheap vanity cabinet. The toiletries, towels and bedding were not even Motel 6 standard. But hey, the location is great. And it wasn't as dirty and nasty as some of the other reviews have claimed.

It really is convenient. But if you are wanting the charm of a B&B or Historic Inn, stay elsewhere-- there are plenty of great ones on Martha's Vineyard. But if you want a cheap place to stay, really close to town, the bars, the restaurants and the marina, then this is a great choice. Bring your own shampoos and such and you'll be fine.

The "library" in the lobby consisted of about 15 books-- literally. But there was good internet connection (for a fee) and they were nice enough to let me printout a document to fax to my office (a buck a page). Otherwise the staff pretty much ignores the guests, who don't seem to mind.

The wraparound porches on the exterior were a great hangout, with at least 30 or 40 rocking chairs between the two buildings. We booked by phone, last minute on July 4th holiday, and still got a great rate for a couple hundred bucks, which had to be prepaid. We had a "handicap accessible room" but it wasn't really, except for the fact that there was an elevator servicing the floor. NOTE: There are no phones in the rooms. We stayed in the adjacent building, not in the historic part. Rooms with a view of the waterfront are higher priced, of course.

Parking was scarce, but we did manage to find a space (free). And don't forget to make a reservation for your car on the ferry if you want to drive around the island. Otherwise the bus service is quite efficient and services the entire island.

We had lobster rolls at every opportunity. And there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance (some are Zagat Rated). There is some nice shopping, a couple of nice bars, and an ice cream / sandwich shop on the main street-- New Englanders really know how to make a great sandwich. Also find your way to the "Backdoor Donut Shop" from 9 pm until after midnight at The Martha's Vineyard Bakery (there's another location in Edgartown, but donuts til midnight is only at the Oak Bluffs location).

Its July 9 2007 and we just checked in to the Wesley. The hotel looks like its under construction from the outside but the inside is even less inviting. The rooms were very dark and damp, small shower and bathroom. The decorations were from the 70's at best. Its over priced for what you receive. While walking to our room our 6 year old was complaining about hotel. Not to sound like a snob but this is one over the worst hotels we have stayed in. I have to agree with the other people the location is nice.

Save you money and go somewhere else