Bedding down by the beach in Great Gatsby style has never looked so good
As the summer hotspot for well-heeled New Yorkers, the Hamptons have long held the title of the most exclusive East Coast escape. From Gatsby to Gossip Girl, Long Island’s glitzy reputation still stands – but scratch at its glamorous surface and you’ll find a more down-to-earth side to this stretch of stylish mansion-sprinkled sand. Home to authors and artists, it boasts glorious beaches, a vibrant food and wine scene, point break-perfect surfing spots, and rugged lighthouse-topped cliffs – all with a quaint, small town feel. If you don’t have a friend with a perfectly placed beach house, these boutique hotels are the next best thing…
The Roundtree, Amagansett
Tucked between rolling farmland and the wild Atlantic Ocean, The Roundtree puts the very best of the Hamptons on your doorstep. Two acres of idyllic grounds and sweeping lawns set the scene for lazy days on sun loungers and roasting s’mores around the firepit. Housed in a centuries-old barn, the beautifully renovated rooms and suites have an easy, breezy feel with natural wooden floors and crisp white linens – while the standalone cottages make perfect getaways for larger groups (with pet-friendly options if canine companions are in tow).
Little ones can help raise some money for charity on The Lemonade Stand, while grown-up guests can join a customised wine tour on the North Fork, which is home to more than 60 wineries. When it’s time to explore, hop on one of The Roundtree’s ‘beach cruisers’ bicycles or electric beach buggies to take in the area’s many sandy beaches, from Atlantic Avenue to Ditch Plains. For a special way to spend a summer’s evening Out East, ask the hotel team to set up a bonfire dinner on the nearby local favourite Indian Wells beach, complete with a quintessential clambake. Or time your visit for autumn to join the locals for pumpkin and apple picking.
Topping Rose House, Bridgehampton
A renovated 19th-century mansion near Long Island’s eastern shore, Topping Rose House blends stylish heritage with cool, contemporary comforts. Located on the second and third floors, House Guest Rooms and One-Bedroom Suites are filled with natural light and cleverly combine period details with modern touches, while Cottage Guest Rooms and ultra-luxe Suites are nestled between the orchard and Topping Rose Farm, with a private patio or rooftop accessed by an elegant sliding glass door – perfect for enjoying your morning coffee with the paper outside while taking in views of the beautifully landscaped grounds.
Dining is a real treat at the Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant – the menu champions produce from local fishermen and farmers, and the hotel’s one-acre farm makes sure each dish is fresh and seasonally inspired. For a bespoke wellness experience, the Farmaesthetics studio at Topping Rose House uses natural, herbal ingredients in treatments tailored just to you, from soothing bodywork sessions to muscle-relaxing, anti-inflammatory massages. If you’d like to get active, ask the staff about hiring bicycles, teeing off on one of Bridgehampton’s golf courses, or embarking on one of the area’s soul-stirring coastal walks.