An Aerial Shot Of Gurney’s
Photo Courtesy of Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa
Since Memorial Day, well-heeled beachgoers have been flocking up Interstate 27 to get to the Hamptons. While we all can enjoy a martini at Nick & Toni’s or a leisurely afternoon ice cream at Scoop du Jour, not everyone has a second home perfectly situated for a weekend getaway. Luckily, high-end hotel options are more plentiful than ever, thanks to renovations and new openings. Here are our top picks:
Topping Rose House, Photo Courtesy of Topping Rose House
Topping Rose House
The only Forbes Travel Guide Star-Rated hotel in the Hamptons, the 22-room, Four-Star Topping Rose House is a Greek Revival mansion once owned by local judge Abraham Topping Rose that made waves when it opened in 2013 with a ballyhooed partnership with celebrity chef Tom Colicchio. Though Colicchio is no longer involved with the property, the hotel is still a farm-to-fork foodie paradise with Kyle Koenig, the establishment’s former sous chef, stepping up to take the helm; wife Jessica, a former chef herself, grabs sommelier duties. When you’re not eating, bask in an intimate room in the inn proper or opt for more privacy in one of the gorgeous modernist cottages with rooftop gardens. By day, sunbathe in the oversized pool or relax at the Naturopathica Spa, all while enjoying a prime location in the heart of Bridgehampton.
The 1770 House
Peek behind the picket fence of The 1770 House to find a 250-plus-year-old boutique inn so quaint, even the Hamptons’ resident denizen of home cooking, Ina Garten of the TV show Barefoot Contessa, eats out here. (If you haven’t tried her riff on the Inn’s famous meatloaf with garlic sauce, what in the world are you waiting for?) We love this intimate address, which offers just six rooms fitted with extras like Frette linens and Dean & DeLuca snacks, as well as a two-story Carriage House you should book if you’re craving privacy. Don’t miss a meal at the hotel’s eponymously named restaurant. Burn the calories off by taking the oh-so-easy walk to East Hampton.
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
This once-tired property is fresh with new life thanks to a bevy of renovations in 2014. This summer brings even more changes to the Montauk stalwart, which provides more resort-like amenities (saltwater pool, private beachfront with beach club and full-service spa). Also expect a new lobby design as well as just-opened dining options like Scarpetta Beach, the casual seafood outpost of the New York original; artisanal lattes, espressos and more at Corso Coffee; and a handcrafted lounge experience courtesy of The Regent Cocktail Club.
The Inn at Windmill Lane, Photo Courtesy of The Inn at Windmill Lane
The Inn at Windmill Lane
Designed to feel like a series of private lodges on an estate, the 10 suites and cottages at Amagansett’s The Inn at Windmill Lane are even more luxe this season thanks to updated custom furnishings, new linens and added amenities such as stocked to-go beach hampers from sister restaurant Meeting House and room-service delivery from coveted eateries like East Hampton Grill. We love the bi-level Suite One, with its massive double shower and two wood-burning fireplaces, but for true privacy, book the new 21 House, a freestanding home with a huge chef’s kitchen, private entrance and separate basement spa room.
The Mill House Inn
Just a short walk from the shops and restaurants of East Hampton proper, this historic-home-turned-10-room-inn feels super intimate, almost as if you’re staying in a relative’s home. Quirky details (like stuffed Gordon setters on each bed and personal photos on the walls) plus amenities like one of the most coveted breakfasts in town (don’t miss the lobster frittata) make this a favorite. For an unbelievable stay, book the postcard-perfect three-bedroom Graybarn Cottage, a sister property with a private pool and personal assistant.
c/o The Maidstone
From the outside, c/o The Maidstone appears like any other posh East Hampton inn. But inside, the property pops with color thanks to its modern, funky Scandinavian design. Owned by Swedish entrepreneur Jenny Ljungberg, who also operates Stockholm’s c/o Häringe Palace, The Maidstone feels like an inn (16 rooms plus three cottages) but has the amenities of a hotel — a full-service restaurant, doggie room service and yoga classes in the Buddha garden.
