Attention to detail and a keen sense of unique design makes for the ultimate home away from home in the Hamptons
Who hasn’t experienced a case of wanderlust? The yearning to travel, observe and be inspired — and, when planning a getaway, is all the better if the place you stay sets your dreams in motion, too.
The South Fork’s coastal beauty, abundant farm stands and award-winning vineyards have lured many east to take in its pastoral charms, so it’s no surprise the area has seen a recent influx of remarkable hotels and resorts ready to amp up its undeniable allure.
The designs are as unique to each place as the East End is to the Empire State, blending cutting-edge architecture with sophisticated interiors or leaning into a laidback cabin vibe, with reimagined options for families, couples, accidental tourists, solo business travelers and wanderers. When it comes to interior design, these establishments raise the bar for temporary accommodations, evoking a sense of place and creating memorable experiences.
We spoke with the owners and designers behind these innovative lodgings and the empowered property directors who ensure their clientele feels at home when they’re not. Whether you seek inspiration for future travels or simply admire exceptional design, this curated journey through some of the most captivating Hamptons destinations will awaken the explorer in you — even if they’re just a stone’s throw away.
The Sagaponack’s 2023 refresh added both style and hominess to the guest experience. (Photos by Doug Young)
The Sagaponack 3720 Montauk Highway, Sagaponack, 631-537-0878
For The Sagaponack’s interior designer, Jesse Trudeau of JCJ Architecture, conjuring an idyllic seaside retreat meant combining the new with the building’s rustic and rooted history. “We achieved this by layering an eclectic mix of textiles inspired by the landscape, timeless metal accents and rich wood tones throughout,” she says of the 30-key property that was formerly The Wainscott Inn.
In October 2023, Atlantic Equity Partners embarked on a property-wide renovation with a mind toward offering a large variety of accommodations, from standard guest rooms and suites in the main building to detached bungalows with kitchenettes and courtyard studios with outdoor spaces.
“The Sagaponack deserved more of a residential flare based on its unique history and family-oriented aspects, like the bungalow units,” explains Trudeau. Playful wall murals and curated art greet guests checking in and throughout the property, creating recognizable branding that the hotel shares with its sister property, The Menhaden, in Greenport.
“The concept imagery was sparked from a local connection to the American ground nut, which Sagaponack is known for,” Trudeau says of the abstract lobby mural that picks up on the rich blue accents in the space. “We’re finding that appointing local connections to the area through artwork and accessories gives a custom feel that guests can find nowhere else.”
With its ideal location (Sagaponack is centrally located between Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Sag Harbor), the seven-acre property also entices guests to settle in, offering charming and space-marveling details, most notably in the studio unit’s unique flex space featuring a wet bar, multi-functional table and wardrobe unit. “Making a more comfortable stay for those booking extended trips with key hospitality features and ample space was always a primary design consideration,” says Trudeau.
The main building also has a pantry fully stocked with drinks, snacks, pastries and a Nespresso coffeemaker. “The galley concept works well at our boutique hotels like The Sagaponack, The Menhaden and The Wentworth,” says Justin Jabara, president of Meyer Jabara Hotels, which manages the properties. “It provides guests with 24-hour access to beverages, coffee and other signature offerings, allowing them to enjoy a homelike experience at any time.”
A focus on private, cozy yet sophisticated spaces is the calling card of Journey in East Hampton. (Photos by Doug Young)
Journey East Hampton 490 Pantigo Road, East Hampton, 631-324-4550
“Incorporating artwork, natural wood and extra-soft blankets as part of our design elements creates a feeling of staying in a cozy guest room as opposed to a hotel room,” says Erika Crawford, general manager at Journey East Hampton, a boutique hotel located between East Hampton and Amagansett. This tucked-away contemporary yet unfussy sanctuary features 22 recently renovated rooms, three secluded cottages and a private outdoor pool located in what Crawford refers to as “the backyard.”
First impressions, too, are meant to coax a feeling of comfort upon entering the welcoming communal lobby lounge, which has a mix of mid-century and contemporary furniture, plenty of texture and rich earth tones highlighted by abstract Parisian street portraits as if you, the well-traveled collector, had just strolled back into your East End sanctuary.
“I think warmth is so important when guests arrive,” says Crawford. “Whether it’s the fireplace burning in the back or the scent of a lovely brand of incense, the goal was for the space to feel like a welcoming living room, and then an extension of that.”
All the guest rooms are stocked with bedside-table art books, many of them featuring celebrated local artists like Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, encouraging visitors to peruse and unplug. But there’s art underfoot, too, in a way. Hand-painted teak tiles complement the hotel’s signature deep-blue walls, bringing a daring graphic element to the well-appointed guest bathrooms, all of which contain Molton Brown products.
“It’s such a nice, sophisticated scent without being overpowering,” says Crawford, “and it’s a signature brand at White’s Apothecary in East Hampton, so we can send guests to source it locally when they check out.”
The cap on this intimate experience: Journey East Hampton takes an organic referral approach to its clientele, creating newcomers and repeat guests with ease thanks to the excellent hospitality and imbuing the spot with that long-lost, best-kept-secret vibe once prevalent on the East End.
Designer Alden Fenwick worked with local businesses like Thayer’s in Bridgehampton to fill in the new look of Duryea’s Sunset Cottages. (Photos by Doug Young)
Duryea’s Sunset Cottages 80 Firestone Road, Montauk, 631-668-2500
“Understated luxury, privacy and natural materials were paramount,” says Alden Fenwick, the interior designer of Duryea’s Sunset Cottages. “It was important to feel as comfortable walking around dressed to the nines as you would barefoot in a sarong.”
Located on a hilltop overlooking Fort Pond Bay in Montauk, each of the property’s four suites was created to showcase the natural beauty of the area, encouraging both privacy and picturesque memories. With floor-to-ceiling glass doors and wraparound patios, the innovative design embraces indoor and outdoor lifestyles to coincide with the alluring water view. Skillfully merging modern minimalism with natural materials, every detail was considered to seamlessly merge the interiors and native landscaping.
“In the living room, we imported travertine coffee tables to mimic the colors of the natural rocks and stones that existed on the property,” explains Fenwick. “The walls are also striated white plaster that was hand-troweled vertically to create a slightly irregular pattern.”
While the space is soothingly understated, comfort is equally important, with a large sofa, ultra-soft upholstered swivel chairs and a well-appointed kitchen and wet bar. “The Duryea’s team did an amazing job fitting the kitchen and bar with whatever you could possibly need — whether it’s a great cup of coffee in the morning or hosting a few friends for dinner,” says Fenwick.
With an exceptional eye for flow, the designer’s vision for how guests will move around the various spaces and how they will be used is evident in the cottages’ private decks and outdoor furniture choices. “Working closely with Thayer’s Hardware [in Bridgehampton], we were able to customize each piece of deck furniture to make sure the outdoor and indoor spaces were equally thoughtful and luxurious,” Fenwick says.
After a sun-kissed day, an outdoor shower strategically located outside the bedroom lets guests bring the open-air beach vibes back with them (while keeping the sand outside). Here, Fenwick chose a silvery Roman clay application on the walls to create a calm environment — or, as she describes, “an oasis from the bright living room.” A built-in writing desk and charming private deck feel like the perfect spots for postcard-writing.
“I love that the cottages are private, standalone rooms yet walkable to Duryea’s and the market for a chic meal or anything else you might need,” says Fenwick.
But you might just opt to stay in and watch the sunset by your private fire pit, too.
At The Pridwin on Shelter Island, designer Colleen Bashaw let the hotel and cottage’s warm, family history guide the look. (Photos by Doug Young)
The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages 81 Shore Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-0476
Colleen Bashaw, Cape Resort’s vice president of interior design, carefully oversaw the revamp of the 33 rooms and 16 cottages nestled among the trees at The Pridwin, the beloved 1920s-era waterside hotel on Shelter Island, presided over for decades by the Petry family, island locals who now co-own the property with Cape Resorts. “It was important to incorporate photos and objects about their family’s past into the design,” says Bashaw, “while keeping the spaces comfortable and relaxed with quirky elements that remind you of childhood.”
With an inherent sense of detail, Bashaw gave the Pridwin a needed shot in the arm, incorporating bold wallpapers, antique wicker and bright, vintage-inspired floral fabrics into the spaces, reimagining its timeless seaside resort vibe. “I like to use quality fabrics from established brands that I know will last, especially linen fabric because the color saturation differs from cotton and feels more layered,” she says.
The studio and two-bedroom cottages have a classic Adirondack aesthetic that pays homage to the Pridwin’s history, including the exterior white paint color with signature hunter green trim. “I wanted the design to feel nostalgic and summer camp-like but completely fresh,” Bashaw says. As has always been the way here, an extended stay is undoubtedly encouraged in a select few cottages with the addition of kitchenettes. “I think they are just wonderful,” says Bashaw. “The option to have cereal or coffee in the morning without leaving your cottage is a little luxury.”
The camp-like nostalgia, Bashaw’s attention to textural and aesthetic detail, stunning views of Peconic Bay and daily activities akin to Catskills resorts of days gone by make staying at The Pridwin Cottages an easy pick for a family vacation — although the solo traveler isn’t immune to its charms. “Our first summer, we had a single gentleman book a cottage for a week,” recounts Bashaw. “He loved it so much, he stayed a month.”
