The Hamptons Hotels New Yorkers Secretly Book (And Why You Should Too)
Growing up on Long Island, I've spent more summers out east than I can count, and the best part has always been the variety. One weekend might start with a lazy afternoon in Amagansett, move to shucked oysters in Sag Harbor, a quick vineyard stop in Bridgehampton, and end with live music drifting from a Montauk bar out to the marina. That range now defines the Hamptons hotel scene. Across the South Fork, hospitality has matured fast. Old motels have been reborn as stylish boutiques, and the flashy resorts have relaxed, trading glitz for a quieter, more comfortable luxury.
Some hotels are built for barefoot mornings and outdoor showers. Others revolve around buzzing boat slips, cold drinks, and restaurant patios that feel impossibly good. The beauty is that from Westhampton to Montauk, there's a place for everyone. Families find pools and private beaches. Friend groups land near cocktail lounges. City dwellers chase surf or solitude on the dunes. Now that summer has officially kicked off after Memorial Day, it's time to find your spot.
As Carrie Bradshaw put it: “One of the best things about living in a city like New York is leaving it.” So pack your bag. Here are 15 Hamptons hotels worth booking for the sand, the scene, and everything in between.
**What's new this summer?** Faraway, already on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, opens in Sag Harbor's former Baron's Cove. The Wetenhalls, who run Palm Beach's Colony, have refreshed East Hampton's Hedges Inn (reopening June 11 with a David Netto redesign). Canoe Place brings in British chef Matthew Woolf for Good Ground Tavern. In Montauk, LDV at the Maidstone team opens Barlume Beach, a 19-room oceanfront club. And Blue Flag Capital unveils Hotel Cordorouy at the old Sunset Montauk—29 redesigned rooms on a lawn with yard games and sunset views.
**Where to stay?** Your choice depends on your style. Westhampton Beach and Hampton Bays offer easy access and less traffic. Southampton and East Hampton deliver classic luxury, dining, and shopping. Bridgehampton and Amagansett are quieter, with horse farms and serene sands. Sag Harbor is a walkable maritime village with yachts and boutiques. Shelter Island, a short ferry ride away, is nature-filled and perfect for biking families.
**Getting there:** Take the LIRR from Penn or Grand Central (some direct trains in summer). Rent a car for flexibility. The Hampton Jitney runs from Manhattan. New this year, Blade expands seaplane and helicopter service to Southampton, Westhampton, and Montauk. Montauk Sky offers more economical fixed-wing flights.
Every hotel on this list was visited by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the area. We considered price, design, location, service, and sustainability. This guide has been updated since its original publication.