Montauk is lovingly known as ‘The End’ for being located at the furthest tip of Long Island, New York: the once rustic seaside hamlet has today become famed for its surfer-friendly beaches as well as its millionaire residents.
Regardless, Montauk has still successfully retained a lot of its local charm and flavour, making it a popular retreat for city folk looking to take in the salty sea air. From exploring neighbourhood restaurants serving fresh seafood hauled in from fishing boats stationed at docks nearby, to pitching up at Ditch Plains Beach, the beloved surf mecca with cliffside views and some of the best waves in the region, a visit to Montauk can be rather idyllic, to say the least.
One of the biggest challenges of visiting Montauk, aside from the traffic, is simply finding a place to stay. Rentals in the summer months are hot commodities, and it can be hard to weed out the true gems that are available. Here’s a quick cheat sheet taking you straight to our top picks in the area.
Montauk hotels and beach escapes
Daunt's Albatross
Koda Suite Living Area.
One of Montauk’s oldest family-run hotels, Daunt’s Albatross, makes a renewed debut this summer with a complete redesign, overseen by the Brooklyn-based Home Studios. With 23 rooms at its disposal and located in the heart of town, mere steps from the beach, the hotel has been owned and operated by the Daunt family since 1977.
The renovation has been led by Leo Daunt, the hotel’s general manager and third-generation proprietor, who was born and raised in Montauk. Inspired to convey a sense of Montauk’s past as well as its surrounding natural beauty, the hotel’s redesign is understated, tranquil and nods to the ruggedness of Shadmoor State Park nearby. Home Studios honed in on the hotel’s local reputation (it’s a favourite amongst the area’s surfers and fishermen) and used colours inspired by Shadmoor’s cliffs to create a moody and inviting palette. Other materials like the use of knotted pine accents, flagstone tile floors and a stucco plaster fireplace in the lobby convey a natural, yet elevated feel. Filled with locally sourced vintage furniture and lighting, along with handmade textiles and a selection of custom-made pieces, the revamped hotel is a joy for the senses.
The lobby at Daunt's Albatross.
‘Going back to the late 1970s when my grandfather purchased it, our goal with the Albatross has been to spread the beauty of Montauk and welcome everyone – from newcomers to those who have been coming with their families for decades,’ says Daunt. ‘In this new chapter, we’re excited to build on this legacy and continue to make guests feel a part of the family.’
The courtyard.
In addition to the revamp of the rooms (now fitted with kitchenettes and balconies), a newly landscaped courtyard, and a pool renovation happening next year (the current pool is still in operation), Daunt’s Albatross kicks off this season with the acquisition of the equally cherished mainstay, The Bird on the Roof restaurant, for food and drink conveniently located next door.
The Surf Lodge
The Surf Lodge needs little introduction. Formerly an Irish dive bar, the hotel’s rustic exterior belies its hip and happening party-savvy character, which has defined Montauk in more recent years. This summer, The Surf Lodge unveils a fresh new look, thanks to a partnership with the furniture company, Arhaus. The hotel’s beachfront and private dining deck have been kitted out with pieces from Arhaus’ laid-back ‘Outdoor’ collection, bringing a more refined feel to the fore.
‘I wanted to elevate the experience while still bringing out the best of Montauk. It’s true to Montauk and its heritage,’ says The Surf Lodge’s founder and creative director, Jamie Cardoso. ‘There’s a cleanness and sophistication you don’t see everywhere. This sensibility allowed us to design a space that’s modern yet warm, while remaining true to our natural surroundings and who we are.’
As the hotel’s first refresh in over six years, The Surf Lodge’s outdoor makeover consists of wooden benches, tables and sofas from Arhaus’ ‘Canyon’ collection, hand-sculpted garden stools and all-weather ottomans that add to the nature-inspired and artisanal atmosphere, which the property has cultivated over the years. Completed by a new custom mural painted by Brazilian artist Tarsila Schubert, the scene is already set for a summer of music and merry-making.
McKinley Bungalow Edison, on Airbnb
Interior designer Robert McKinley has built upon his personal ties to Montauk to grow a burgeoning collection of elegantly appointed residences in the area. Known as the McKinley Bungalows, the four-strong group of three, four and five-bedroom homes encapsulates Montauk’s relaxed beach aura and surf culture, while delivering a dream-home level of style too.
The most recent addition is the Edison Bungalow, a traditional New England Cedar Shake House that boasts five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. Built in the aughts and sitting on 1.5 acres of land, the large bungalow has been fully renovated and decked out with products by brands including Hay, Design Within Reach, Reform and Heath Ceramics, which are all available for purchase – a trademark of all the bungalows.
McKinley looked to historic Northeastern colour palettes for inspiration and created a melange of natural textures that nod to Peter Beard and Axel Vervoodt. Some of the major changes in the house included building an organic pool that seamlessly fits into the site’s topography and updating the front porch, roof, windows and doors. Filled with contemporary artwork and a mix of vintage and custom-designed furniture, the home also boasts a fitness studio, media room and three-car garage – making it ideal for larger groups and families.
Marram Montauk
Should you be missing the communal experience of staying at a hotel, Marram Montauk will leave you satiated in the best possible way. Located amongst the sand dunes in the centre of Montauk, Marram brings the nostalgic charm of its former incarnation as a beach motel from the 1960s right into the 21st century.
Open since April 2020, the hotel boasts 96 hotel rooms, a South American café, a surf shack and a communal lounge, designed by the New York design firm Post Company, in partnership with its developer Bridgeton Holdings. Each of the guestrooms and suites is effortlessly appointed with white oak lumber beams, plaster walls, and furniture made from saur wood reclaimed from old homes and fishing boats.
Whether its a room facing the ocean or one overlooking the hotel’s verdant courtyard, where fire pits provide an ideal locale to roast s’mores, all guests have the hotel’s beach chair, umbrella and towel service, arsenal of complimentary cruiser bicycles, swimming pool, and menu of wellness activities and nature walks at their disposal.
-
Caribbean cool meets mid-century glamour at this new LA hotspotFrom golden mirrored chambers to jerk-spiced tomahawk steaks, Lucia reimagines Afro-Caribbean dining and design
-
Tour this fire-resilient minimalist weekend retreat in CaliforniaA minimalist weekend retreat was designed as a counterpoint to a San Francisco pied-à-terre; Edmonds + Lee Architects’ Amnesia House in Napa Valley is a place for making memories
-
Love, community, anti-gay laws: the queer African artists redefining visibility through portraitsIn honour of Pride Month, Ugonnaora Owoh speaks to three artists on African queer legacies and their optimism in advocating for queer rights through art
-
Caribbean cool meets mid-century glamour at this new LA hotspot
From golden mirrored chambers to jerk-spiced tomahawk steaks, Lucia reimagines Afro-Caribbean dining and design
-
Classic New York restaurants for delicious food and inspired designFrom Michelin-starred fine dining to reimagined retro diners, these are the most emblematic (and easy-on-the-eye) places to eat in the Big Apple
-
Inside Hotel Chelsea’s secret basement sushi restaurantTeruko, a new Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in Hotel Chelsea, marks the final jewel in the hotel’s years-long transformation
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Fouquet’s New York: a lush, urban cocoon for the 21st centurySet in the heart of Tribeca, Fouquet’s New York balances French-inspired refinement and cosiness
-
This surreal new seafood restaurant in LA is the stuff of mermaid’s dreamsAt Cento Raw Bar, delectable fare is complemented by playful, oceanic interiors by Brandon Miradi
-
At The Ned Nomad in New York, home comforts meet a lively atmosphereThis hotel and social club is a vibrant hub of hospitality that evokes 1920s glamour for members and visitors alike
-
For the breakfast lover that is not a morning person, this Hollywood café is for youStart your day with a ceremonial strawberry matcha latte and freshly baked viennoiseries amid the glamour of Café Goldie at the W Hollywood
-
The best bars in New York for stiff drinks and stunning designFrom five-star hotel lobby bars on the Upper East Side to discreet downtown drinking dens, these are the best spots to sip and soak in the ambiance
