You don't have to be a media mogul or industry titan to stay in the Hamptons. Below is a sampling of hotels, motels and inns available for overnight guests.
Rates vary widely based on the season and day of the week. For that reason, we have placed the hotels in relative price categories: expensive, $$$; moderate, $$$; inexpensive, $.
Many require minimum stays at peak times on weekends and holidays. Most are fully booked on weekends and some weekdays for the rest of summer, but rooms start becoming available on weekdays in mid-August and weekends after Labor Day. Call ahead for rates and terms for the date(s) of your stay.
Gansett Green Manor 273 Main Street
631-267-3133
This inn and small cluster of cottages are nothing less than dreamy. The décor captures "shabby chic" without feeling self-conscious. Masseuses and baby-sitters are available. Trendy shops and restaurants are nearby, and the beach is a 1½ miles to the south. The Hampton Jitney has a stop out front.
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Ocean Colony Beach and Tennis Club2004 Montauk Hwy
631-267-3130
Nestled in the dunes of Amagansett, this 8-acre resort has its own 400-foot beachfront just for guests. Apartments offer privacy, and the buildings and grounds are well maintained. Tennis courts, a pool and the beach keep guests coming back. Accommodations include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and a two-bedroom cottage.
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Sea Breeze Inn30 Atlantic Ave.
631-267-3692
Smell the banana bread baking as you walk in the door. All the pastries served at breakfast are baked on the premises, which also has a vegetable garden. Guests in the main house feel like they're staying at grandma's, with quilts and country furnishings throughout. Out back are separate units, some with air conditioning and all with private baths. Complimentary beach parking passes are available, and beer, water and other beverages are on hand for guests, who pay for them on the honor system.
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White Sands Resort28 Shore Road
631-267-3350
Out front mounds of flowers cascade over terraced grounds. Out back, the rooms look out to the Atlantic Ocean beyond white, sparkling beaches that aren't jammed with tourists. Rooms have a Zen-like decor that makes the stay even more relaxing. Standard rooms and efficiency apartments available.
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The 1770 House 143 Main St.
631-324-1770
At this sumptuous inn, no detail is forgotten. With six rooms and a carriage house, reservations are recommended way in advance. A full breakfast is served on weekends. Expect fine dining in the acclaimed restaurant, or enjoy traditional pub fare in the tavern. Or never leave your room. Each is equipped with a 40-inch plasma TV and wireless internet connection. Sleep on pillow-top mattresses in beds dressed in Frette linens. Don the robe and slippers and relax, especially if you choose a room with a fireplace.
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The Baker House 1650181 Main St
631-324-4081
This inn has all the warmth of an English manor with none of the stuffiness. Paneled walls, exposed beams, low ceilings and bookcases loaded with classic hardbacks will remind you of your Oxford days (if you had them). All five rooms have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, Bose sound systems, mini bars and beds with Frette linens. A lap-pool and spa in the basement, completes this civilized retreat.
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East Hampton Village Bed and Breakfast72 Newtown Lane
631-324-1858
Family-owned and operated, this bed and breakfast was once the home of a whaling captain. The family managed to modernize each of the four guest rooms without robbing them of their charm. Request the Captain's Room and bathe in the home's original claw-foot bathtub. Each room has a private bath, air conditioning and wireless internet access. Best yet, it's a short stroll to East Hampton village, so you can dodge the hassles of driving downtown.
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The Hedges Inn74 James Lane
631-324-7101
Genteel but breezy, this inn was recently renovated inside and out. The public areas are gorgeous, but the inattentive desk clerk on duty when we arrived could use a bit of polish in area of customer service. Companies sometimes book the entire inn for special events -- a Victoria's Secret corporate function, a Hanes photo shoot - so reserve far in advance. The 12 guest rooms have private baths, and the flagstone patio is a popular destination for evening refreshments.
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Huntting Inn94 Main St
631-324-0410
With only 19 rooms, the inn is cozy and intimate. Eight bathrooms were recently renovated, and all the rooms have beds with pillow-top mattresses. Continental breakfast is included, and at dinner, The Palm restaurant serves fish, steaks, chops and hearty Italian fare.
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Maidstone Arms207 Main St
631-324-5006
A grand dame of the Hamptons, the Maidstone Arms may someday be converted into condos, but until then, the 16 rooms and three cottages are available for overnight guests. Manicured lawns and gardens invite guests to enjoy breakfast outdoors. Inside, colorful murals adorn the tap room that adjoins a cozy dining room. The guest-room décor makes liberal use of florals fabrics and lace. Breakfast is included, and the restaurant is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Complimentary beach passes and towels are available to guests.
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The American Hotel49 Main St
631-725-3535
This historic eight-room hotel in the heart of Sag Harbor is considered a "boutique hotel" for its charm, character and luxury amenities. All rooms have private baths with Jacuzzi tubs. Mini bars and plush down comforters are also a draw. The restaurant and tavern have a clubby feel, complete with a giant moose head that peers down on guests. Finding the desk attendant can be trying, so keep trying.
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Baron's Cove Inn31 W. Water St.
631-725-2100
Dock the boat in the marina just beyond the front door, then enjoy a hot shower and a hot meal prepared in the kitchenette of your room. From there it's just a short walk to downtown Sag Harbor. Beach-goers can visit nearby Havens Beach Bay or Bridgehampton Beach to the south. The 66 rooms are decorated in a nautical theme, fitting for this old whaling village. A tennis court, sun deck and pool are on the grounds. It's not glitzy, but it is a clean and quiet retreat from the crowds on Main Street.
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Sag Harbor Inn45 W. Water St.
631-725-2949
Enjoy proximity to the shops and restaurants of Main Street at here, but not the crowds and street noise. Rooms are decorated with reproduction pine furniture, and the fabrics and carpets could stand some updating. Upper-level decks provide stunning views of Noyack Bay. There's a pool, but it's not heated; wireless internet access is available throughout.
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Bridgehampton Inn2266 Main St.
631-537-3660
Enjoy proximity to the shops and restaurants of Main Street at here, but not the crowds and street noise. Rooms are decorated with reproduction pine furniture, and the fabrics and carpets could stand some updating. Upper-level decks provide stunning views of Noyack Bay. There's a pool, but it's not heated; wireless internet access is available throughout.
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Sag Harbor Inn45 W. Water St.
631-725-2949
The windows were being painstakingly washed on the day of our visit to this historic structure, built in 1795. Rooms are functional and refreshingly spare rather than choked with country-cute antiques and piles of knick-knacks. Treat yourself to a cooking class in the inn's kitchen as part of the Loaves & Fishes Cooking School. Stroll to shops, restaurants and galleries nearby or visit the beach, a five-minute drive south.
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Enclave Inn2668 Montauk Hwy.
631-537-2900
Retro outside, nouveau inside, the motel has 10 rooms, all containing sleek furnishings, wall-mounted plasma TVs and stainless steel bathroom vanities. Beyond the privet out front are Bridgehampton High School and endless traffic. But the noise is lost amid the thick lawns and sparkling blue pool set back from the highway.
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Box Farm78 Mecox Rd.
631-726-7769
A 1600s farmhouse is now home to seven airy guest rooms with plush white comforters. Public rooms are furnished with white, slipcovered lounge chairs, and the wide, knotty-pine floors look newly restored. A computer station offers Internet access -- but skip the e-mail and instead head to stunning East Hampton beach. Bikes are available if you want to explore the residential area just south of the inn. Full breakfast included.
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The Pondview1332 Deerfield Rd.
631-726-7226
Located about 2 miles north of Montauk Highway, this bed and breakfast is a secluded retreat set among the farms of Water Mill. This B&B is newly constructed, but loaded with charm. The family residence is in the south wing; the north wing contains two roomy suites and a sitting area - all beautifully decorated. A guest house on the grounds is perfect for families. And activities abound: a 60-foot chipping/putting green, a fully equipped exercise room. a playground, a tennis court and even a pond stocked with fish and frogs. It's sumptuous - but not snobby.
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1708 House126 Main St
631-287-1708
Some areas date back to the mid-1600s, but this downtown inn hardly shows its age. At check-in, guests will find the table already impeccably set with china and stemware for the next morning's breakfast. Rooms are spacious, with private baths decorated in wood tones and subway tile. Suites have sitting areas and large desks for guests who fool themselves into thinking they'll get a little work done. All the chi-chi shops and restaurants are just outside the door.
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The Capri281 County Road 39A
631-283-6100
The motel is closed during the week. But watch out on weekends. The motel's nightclub and lounge, the Pink Elephant, is a Hamptons hot spot. Crowds spill out of the club and into the courtyard, where cabanas with plush cushions and pillows overlook the pool. The 30 guest rooms have a stylish retro feel, with cut-out headboards, brushed-nickel touches and black-and-white photos on the walls. Guests seem to either love it or hate it; most critics cite the high price or sluggish service. Open from May through mid-September.
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The Easterner Motel639 Montauk Hwy.
631-283-9292
Cabins are clean and outfitted with kitchenettes. Plaid bedspreads and rattan chairs give the rooms a kitschy feel. There is a pool, and Cooper Beach is nearby. The best feature, given the good location on the outskirts of Southampton, is the price.
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The Enclave Inn450 County Road
631-537-2900
Formerly the Olympia Motel, the inn recently joined the Enclave chain the South Fork (locations in Bridgehampton, Shinnecock, Southampton and Wainscott). All the rooms were renovated to look sleek and slick with their white downy comforters, shiny white laminate furniture and tiled bathrooms stocked with Neutrogena soaps and shampoos. Rooms have a small kitchenette, handy for making a picnic to eat by the pool.
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The Mainstay Inn579 Hill St.
631-283-4375
The innkeeper's artistic flair is seen everywhere, starting with the faux-painted walls that give the bed and breakfast a dreamy feeling. It's close to downtown, but so secluded that guests may want to skip the social scene and lounge by the pool or amid the roses. Rooms have antique beds and country pine furniture. Not all of the eight guest rooms have a TV; most have air conditioning. Continental breakfast is served.
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Southampton Country House485 N. Main St.
631-283-7338
This bed and breakfast is open mainly on weekends during the busy season. Guest can choose among two rooms, each with its own bath, and a roomy two-bedroom apartment. The innkeepers - and their cat - are friendly and readily make guests feel at home. (Maybe that's why so many have returned over the inn's 13 seasons.) Rates include a full breakfast, prepared in an airy kitchen that overlooks the lush, landscaped lawns around the pool.
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Southampton Inn91 Hill St.
631-283-6500
With 90 rooms, this hotel is often used for corporate events and large gatherings. (Indeed, the Garden Club of America was holding a regional meeting here during our visit.) The lobby is decorated cheerfully and each room has a distinct décor. The café in the terrace-level basement serves breakfast and light lunch. Other amenities include a pool, shuffleboard court, tennis and a fitness room. A free shuttle drops guests off at nearby Cooper Beach.
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Southampton Village Motel315 Hampton Rd.
631-283-3034
This humble motel is dressed like the million-dollar homes in the area - gray shingles, red door, slate walkways. Clean, cute, quiet and close to downtown, it's an affordable place to stay in any season. Beds are outfitted with crisp white linens, and a refrigerator and TV are concealed behind pine armoires. There are only 10 guest rooms, so book early for the summer season.
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Village Latch Inn Hotel101 Hill St.
631-283-2160
Eclectically elegant, the inn has 67 rooms in five buildings on five acres. Antiques and artifacts are everywhere. Rooms are country chic, with distressed furniture, oriental rugs and floral wallpaper. Enjoy a continental breakfast with fresh jam and pastries in the garden room or amid the funky sculptures on the grounds. Pool, tennis and bike rentals are available on premises.
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