The Hamptons in the summer is stellar, but the Hamptons on the off-season is just as good - if not, better. (You can even quote us on this one!) If you're looking to escape the crowds for a weekend jaunt this fall, look no further & head out east to get your beauty sleep, spa and wine & dine on with these tried-and-true must do's!
THE CHICEST SLEEP OUT EAST...
Gurney's is the number one game in town for a true luxury resort experience in Montauk. With a fresh renovation, everything is looking very beach chic, yet still comfortable and inviting. Decorated with blues and greys and light wood, it will leave you with a serene feeling, like you’re really on vacation. Couples, friends and families all feel right at home here. With rooms, suites and cottages available to book.
Set right on a great stretch of beach, Gurney's has also become known for their lively beach club. Over the weekend you can find Dj’s spinning and partygoers getting rowdy with cabana and day bed rentals open to the public. However, they do reserve all their regular beach loungers for hotel guests, which can be placed further off to the side away from the scene for a more relaxing ambiance. At night, the vibes continue as the DJ moves up from the beach and onto the fire pit deck, (the perfect place to start your evening) and later into The Regent Cocktail Club (the perfect place for that good old night cap). If good food is really what you’re after, Gurney's will leave you feeling spoilt for choice. Options ranging from a grab and go coffee counter called Corso, where you can snag that iced latte sandwich when you’re on the run, to casual all day American dining at Tillie's, to tacos and skewers and all your favorite beach fare at The Beach Club, to oceanfront Italian fine dining at Scarpetta Beach, they really have it all.
And after all that sunbathing, drinking, dancing and eating, the perfect refuge is their Seawater Spa. With a steam room, sauna and indoor seawater pool, you will begin to feel rejuvenated in no time. Looking for something a bit more active? Their fitness center and daily class schedule should do the trick. And in the summer, partnerships with New York based pilates, yoga and cycling studios bring even more wellness options right to your fingertips. (And with a gorgeous ocean view no less.) So if you’re looking for that perfect, home base to explore Montauk and beyond, or you want that traditional resort experience, where you drop your bags, kick back and stay for a few days, Gurney's is hands down, the place you want to be.
WHERE TO WINE...
TASTING ON THE NORTH FORK
Who needs Napa when the North Fork is just an hour and a half outside of NYC? What was formerly known as an area famous for produce has transformed into a prime wine region. From sampling Merlots at Lenz Winery to relishing rosé at Bedell Cellars to sipping sparkling wines at Lieb Cellars, there’s something for every oenophile! Plan to spend a day vineyard hopping around the 10+ vineyards in the area and don’t forget to stop for eats to help pace yourself with the vino.
WHERE TO DINE...
NICK & TONI'S
For over 27-years, the farmhouse-style restaurant Nick & Toni's has served the who’s who of the East with its Mediterranean-Italian inspired menu. With a renovation in 2013, the ambiance and décor now parallels the food. Warm up to dishes served hot from the wood-burning oven, including wood-roasted fish and wood –grilled steak or recover from the weekend with a hearty brunch. Whether inhaling farm fresh ingredients or perusing the extensive wine list, the Hampton’s institution cannot be beat.
SWALLOW EAST
The running joke in Montauk may be that the town's gates literally close come Labor Day, but Swallow East proves otherwise. Swallow's enclosed deck offers waterfront dining year-round, and its lively atmosphere promises the spirit of the Hamptons, regardless of the weather. Bring your friends for a fun night of shared plates (blue claw crab croquettes, asparagus fries, local chowder) and bottled cocktails; Tuesday through Friday, get 50% off drinks and all menu items at the bar from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
THE MONTAUKET
Set high on a bluff overlooking Block Island Sound, this venerable restaurant and bar offers fresh local seafood, fish, steaks, chops and daily specials. Friday Saturday and Sundays pre-fixe dinner includes soup or salad, entree, dessert and coffee for $18.95. Spectacular views and sunsets combine with value, making this a local favorite for 60 years
FALL'S MUST-DO...
HAMPTON'S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 6 - 10, HAMPTONSFILMFEST.ORG
Think Hollywood only hits the Hamptons come summer? Think again. Every October, movie industry folks gather near the shore to celebrate the best in independent films. Plan your visit during this time of year to catch a flick, spot some celebs, or simply enjoy the other area events that coincide with the fest.
