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The easternmost tip of Long Island used to be considered a quiet, scruffy enclave, but no more. Montauk is booming with new and noteworthy hotels, restaurants, and shops, and those willing to trek to the end of island are being rewarded with chic beach clubs, fun pop-up shops, laidback eateries, and so much more.
Here are our favorite Montauk places to stay, eat, shop and spa this summer.
To Stay:
Hero Beach Club Following a full-scale renovation, the brand new Hero Beach Club just opened its 30-room hotel set across from a pristine beach in Montauk, on the East End of Long Island. NYC investors and friends Jon Krasner and Teddy Wasserman, who grew up visiting the area, have brought one of Montauk’s classic beachfront hotels back to life with a design by Curious Yellow.
“We took notes from the European way of vacationing,” says Curious Yellow partner Chloe Pollack Robbins. “And we thought about how we could add a family-forward, but still fun and luxurious retreat to the casual vibe of the town.”
The property’s original 1950s architecture has been honored with an elevated, clean, modern design aesthetic created over six months. The rooms feature Balinese custom teak and rattan furniture, river stone sinks, braided mesh metal, brass and copper lighting, Balinese handwoven ikat, and hand loomed macrame textiles.
The on-trend pink, deep ocean gray, and white color palette is balanced by photography by Nicole Cohen from the Consort and luxurious Hill House Home bedding. The wallpaper in the lobby is an ombré gray blue by Calico called Aurora.
“We are placing an emphasis on this as a place to relax while still being centrally located so guests can walk to a fun party in town,” says Krasner. The soothing and serene beachfront property features a pool and open deck, and the concierge program can arrange surf lessons, fishing, biking, horseback riding, hiking, massages, beachside clambakes, and more.
626 Montauk Highway
To Eat:
Arbor New Mediterranean eatery Arbor is a casual, laidback experience. Featuring a robust wine, beer, and cocktail program—20 wines by-the-glass, 12 craft beers on tap—the restaurant serves easy eats like a watermelon and feta salad, surf and turf with New Zealand lamb chops and seared sea-scallops, and of course, its signature tuna tartare. Alden Fenwick Design was brought in to create the polished interiors and exterior elements like the arbor entrance, lush gardens, and circular outdoor bar.
240 Fort Pond Road
Flagship Restaurant
Located directly on the docks in Montauk, Flagship is all about the fresh catch. Father/son restaurateur duo chef Eric Miller and Adam Miller is behind this seasonal boite offering small plates, crudos, and a raw bar, as well as locally-sourced seafood, meat, and poultry entrees. Pratt Institute-trained Adam designed the interiors with a clean and simple industrial motif with a subtle tropical vibe (see his custom designed wallpaper made in collaboration with an up-and-coming artist in Poland).
466 West Lake Drive
To Cool Off:
Gurney’s Montauk With the only indoor, ocean-fed seawater pool in the United States, this summer the Gurney’s Montauk spa will offer a new After Sun Ritual featuring an aloe wrap, moisturizing face mask, lavender oil scalp massage, and an application of a healing coconut emulsion to cool you off after a day at the beach ($165). Gurney’s has also partnered with celebrity hair stylist Ric Pipino to offer hair services in Gurney’s Spa at Ric Pipino Hairspace. Pipino suggests using a conditioning hair treatment that can be applied to your hair prior to spending a day in the beach to reduce dryness and damage.
290 Old Montauk Highway
To Sweat:
SoulCycle With 67 bikes and classes every day of the week through Labor Day, SoulCycle’s updated Montauk studio has some fun patriotic treats and surprises planned for July 4th weekend if you find yourself in town. SoulCycle is the first fitness chain to open on the end of the island and resides in the old Montauk Movie Theater space.
15 South Edgemere Street
To Shop
: Room 09 at Haven Room 09 at Haven is a concept store named after its reconfigured guestroom at Haven Montauk. The boutique features products like Alix body suits and swimwear, vintage pieces, beauty and home scents, and other curated beachy essentials. Each summer, the brand hosts pop-ups, art installations and live music performances at the shop.
533 West Lake Drive