Nantucket Siasconset Sconset Beach House Hotel Inn Real Photo Postcard

Large seaside hotels, often known as "Beach Houses," became prominent resort destinations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These multi-story establishments, frequently featuring expansive porches and distinctive architectural elements like turrets or gambrel roofs, were strategically built on bluffs or directly facing coastlines to offer guests views and easy access to beaches. They catered to a burgeoning middle and upper class seeking leisure, sea air, and a fashionable escape from urban life.

This era marked a significant period in the development of American and European tourism, with improved transportation methods like railways making coastal areas more accessible. These grand hotels served as social hubs, hosting vacationers for extended stays and providing a range of amenities from dining to entertainment, thus shaping the culture of seaside holidays and contributing to the economic growth of many coastal communities.