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The Hamptons

Where to Stay

1. The Roundtree, Amagansett

Small Luxury Hotels

A cluster of 17th and 18th-century barns and cottages spread across two acres of manicured lawn, The Roundtree delivers a vacation-home intimacy rare in the Hamptons. Rooms present minimalist contemporary design with Frette linens and Matouk towels behind weathered historic facades. Afternoons bring tea service in the original barn; evenings gather around the firepit for s'mores. Complimentary cruiser bikes make the beach a quick pedal away—ideal for families seeking polish without pretense.

2. Marram

Marram captures Montauk's original low-key spirit through 96 rooms designed for barefoot luxury, where natural materials and muted tones defer to ocean views. Yoga sessions and craft workshops replace nightclub noise, while Mostrador Marram serves chef Fernando Trocca's Uruguayan-inflected seafood. The atmosphere welcomes families—complimentary pack'n'plays available—alongside couples seeking Atlantic-side calm without pretense.

3. The Chequit (Shelter Island)

This restored Victorian charmer on Shelter Island channels the glamour of the 1940s, when legends like Sinatra and Monroe reportedly checked in. Views stretch across Long Island Sound from the storied property, while the dining program earns particular praise. Six rooms accommodate families with added day beds, making it a rare find for those seeking old-school elegance without sacrificing practicality.

4. Topping Rose House

Forbes Five-Star· Small Luxury Hotels

The Hamptons' sole full-service hotel occupies a renovated 19th-century mansion where Alexandra Champalimaud's interiors—think high ceilings, minimalist white walls, and contemporary art from Winston Wächter—create an atmosphere of restrained elegance. Jean-Georges' restaurant draws from a one-acre on-site farm, while the spa offers LED therapy facials and a yoga studio overlooking the heated pool. Complimentary BMW access and beach shuttles complete the proposition.

5. The Menhaden

1 Michelin Key

Greenport's transformation from fishing village to Long Island wine country destination finds its stylish anchor in this 16-room boutique property on Front Street. The monochrome interiors, furnished by Restoration Hardware with hardwood and botanical accents, maintain a refined restraint. A rooftop deck—the town's highest point—surveys the North Fork, while loaner bikes and a Moke electric car encourage vineyard exploration. The ground-floor Bunker Bar provides a convivial base.

6. The Garden City Hotel

Forbes Five-Star

Long Island's longest-operating luxury property occupies seven landscaped acres amid Garden City's gracious mansions, its interiors transformed by Marcello Pozzi into contemporary elegance with Murano chandeliers, Carrera tile, and custom Italian leather furnishings. NYC chef David Burke commands four dining venues, serving signature creations like Himalayan salt dry-aged beef. The ninth-floor Club Lounge rewards guests with keyed access, charcuterie spreads, and fireside refreshments throughout the day.

7. The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages

Forbes Five-Star

Perched above Crescent Beach on Shelter Island, this ninety-year-old retreat spreads across seven and a half acres of Peconic Bay waterfront, its restoration preserving vintage wicker furniture and period signage within contemporary interiors. Sixteen private cottages offer seclusion, while the Terrace restaurant plates farm-to-table seafood from local fishermen. A private charter boat awaits those keen to explore North Fork by water.

8. Sound View Greenport

A 1930s seaside motel reborn through Brooklyn's Studio Tack, Sound View Greenport channels New England modernism across its 65 rooms overlooking Long Island Sound. The quarter-mile private beach anchors the experience, while The Halyard—led by a James Beard Award–winning chef—showcases North Fork's seafood and farm produce. Evening piano sessions, a library lounge, and family-friendly suites with kitchenettes complete the picture.

9. Oheka Castle (New York)

Otto Kahn's 1919 mansion—America's second largest private residence—once drew Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin to its legendary parties, and later served as the model for Xanadu in Citizen Kane. The estate's theatrical grandeur translates into richly appointed guest rooms with exceptional architectural character. Interconnecting rooms and flexible bedding arrangements make it a surprisingly practical choice for families seeking historic splendor.

10. South Harbor Inn (New York)

An 1897 farmhouse turned intimate four-bedroom retreat, South Harbor Inn occupies Long Island's North Fork wine country with easy access to beaches and farm-to-table dining. The adults-only policy—guests sixteen and older—ensures undisturbed tranquility across indoor lounges and outdoor grounds. For couples or solo travelers seeking vineyard-dotted serenity over resort bustle, this compact property delivers quiet refinement.

Where to Eat

1. Vert Frais

Michelin Selected

Behind Vert Frais's unassuming Long Island City café exterior lies the culinary pedigree of Kanoyama's veteran chef. The shio ramen delivers a fragrant, deeply savory broth crowned with smoky charred cha-shu and crisp bamboo shoots, while sushi-grade salmon scattered over warm rice with glistening ikura offers refined simplicity. The towering soufflé pancakes—impossibly light, barely sweetened—have earned Michelin recognition and devoted followers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main villages that make up The Hamptons?

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The Hamptons encompasses several distinct villages stretching along Long Island's South Fork. Southampton and East Hampton serve as the primary centers, each with their own Main Street shopping districts and architectural heritage. Bridgehampton offers polo fields and vineyard proximity, while Sag Harbor retains its historic whaling port character with a walkable downtown. Montauk, furthest east, provides a more casual surf-town atmosphere with dramatic bluffs and lighthouse views.

When is the best time to visit The Hamptons?

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The traditional season runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, when beaches are staffed, restaurants operate at full capacity, and the social calendar peaks. However, September and early October offer compelling alternatives: smaller crowds, warm ocean water, and the East End's agricultural bounty at farm stands and wineries. Shoulder seasons also mean greater availability at sought-after properties and restaurants that require months-advance booking during summer.

How do I get to The Hamptons from New York City?

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The Long Island Rail Road connects Penn Station to stations throughout the Hamptons, with the journey to East Hampton taking roughly three hours. The Hampton Jitney and Hampton Luxury Liner offer coach service from Manhattan's Upper East Side. Blade helicopter service provides transfers from Manhattan heliports in approximately 40 minutes. By car, the Long Island Expressway leads to Route 27, though summer weekend traffic can extend drive times significantly beyond the nominal two-hour journey.