Montauk is cementing its status as the place to go for New York beach goers seeking not-so-quiet luxury. In some ways, the once sleepy fishing village of Montauk is still the most down-to-earth, surf-centric of the beach towns on the peninsula outside Manhattan. In others, it’s transformed into the trendiest. You won’t have to look far for relaxed yet high-end meals, nor for a slice of nightlife.
And while you can still find little, old motels sprinkled throughout the town of Montauk, it’s the glamorous new boutiques that are grabbing attention.
In fact, several of the new, buzzy hotels actually used to be those little, old motels. But after a slew of multi-million dollar renovations, they are now among the most exciting properties in New York State, complete with water views, first-class amenities and histories that tie them to the sand on which generations of New Yorkers have long come to escape the urban grind.
Below, our practical guide on where to stay among five hotels — all selected for the MICHELIN Guide — that represent a remade Montauk.
Gurney's Montauk
Style: Contemporary classicAtmosphere: Chic, glamorous
Perfect for: The Upscale Beach Bum
No hotel shows the evolution of Montauk better than Gurney’s. The hotel opened its doors in 1926 and remains a mainstay among the town’s very best accommodations (and one of the few that stays open year-round). But where Maude Gurney founded a 20-room inn, today she’d find a 158-room hotel, where guests can opt for beachfront cottages and massage sessions at the spa. And the cherry on top of the new Montauk: the hotel just launched a beachside collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana.
Expect a robust kids club and direct access to a 2,000-foot-long private beach, making this a hotspot for young families. But couples and friends seeking an upscale vacation flock here, too. Ultimately, there’s something for everyone — as long as you’re willing to spend at least $985 a night during the summer season. Prices drop significantly in the off season.
Special Amenities: Newly renovated spa, seawater pool fed from the ocean, daily fitness classes, beachfront cottages
Book Gurney's Montauk with The MICHELIN Guide →
Montauk Yacht Club
Style: ModernAtmosphere: Private, laidback
Perfect for: Active Travelers
Montauk Yacht Club — founded in 1928 — is fresh off of a multimillion dollar renovation, and the result is a hotel that feels like its very own private, waterfront community. After the valet takes your car, you’re immediately greeted by a lighthouse and beautifully minimalist lobby. Walk to the other side and you’re faced with Lake Montauk, an inlet behind the sea that is home to the largest marina in the Hamptons.
With 16 acres to its name, the hotel thrives on experiential offerings: complimentary paddle boards and bikes, two private padel courts, boats to rent, an impressive coworking space and a fully renovated fitness center. Worth mentioning too is the restaurant, Ocean Club, with its focus on fresh produce and freshly-caught seafood from local farmers and fishermen (think: raw bar and decadent lobster pasta).
Special Amenities: Spa treatments on a boat parked on the marina, in partnership with Swiss skincare brand La Prairie
Book Montauk Yacht Club with The MICHELIN Guide →
Marram
Style: ModernAtmosphere: Tranquil
Perfect for: Wellness Gurus and Foodies
From the bones of an old motel, Marram opened in 2019. The resulting style is as serene and calming as its wellness mission, the embodiment of a kind of movement you might find in Tulum, but is more than welcome in Montauk. After all, not every hotel in the Hamptons offers private tarot readings, singing bowl sound baths, sunset healing meditations, and astrology readings. Some of the 96 rooms, all in soothing neutrals befitting the hotel’s mission, overlook the Atlantic from private terraces.
Special Amenities: Yoga classes, nightly s’mores at communal fire pits, and suites perfect for families
Book Marram with The MICHELIN Guide →
Hero Beach Club
Style: Contemporary classicAtmosphere: Low-key
Perfect for: Surfers and Beach Obsessives
Hero Beach Club opened in 2017 and wasted no time fitting in with the daily life and vibe of Montauk, with the big, bright smiley face on its side wall quickly becoming a town symbol. With 30 rooms, complimentary surf boards, free fitness classes daily, and beach crews diligently setting up chairs and umbrellas on the sand, Hero keeps its ambitions simple and executes well. Expect to come across scenes of outdoor pilates and young families playing by the pool, but the appeal here is simple: the beach. Just surf and sand for artists, musicians, surfers and people who adore the beach.
Special Amenities: Sauna, steam room, self-serve breakfast, and a health food store and cafe
Book Hero Beach Club with The MICHELIN Guide →
Montauk Beach House
Style: ContemporaryAtmosphere: Social
Perfect for: The Party Set
The new Montauk Beach House went through its hefty remodel way back in 2012. Once a 1950s motel, it still sports a multi-colored tiki statue from the early days out front. Walk inside and you’ll find a lobby decorated with walls of party photos — your first clue that this is a place with a serious nighttime buzz. Yes, Montauk’s developed a reputation for its party scene over the years, and with a happy hour, pool parties, and a DJ every weekend, the Beach House leans in.
Special Amenities: A rotating artist program featured in the lobby and BMW test drives for guests
Book Montauk Beach House with The MICHELIN Guide →
