Hotel at a Glance: Surf Club At Montauk

The Surf Club At Montauk revolves around two bodies of water. At the literal center of the resort sits a heated outdoor pool, where guests can take a morning swim or cool off after a long day. But from the pool, a second, much larger body of water is also visible: the Atlantic Ocean. It’s only a short walk down a boardwalk to the white-sand beaches of Long Island, where guests to the Surf Club At Montauk can dip their toes in the waves or spend a day relaxing on the shore.

• Take your morning coffee with a side of fresh air while lounging on your room’s private deck.
• Make dinner in your room using the in-suite kitchens.
• See stars under the stars during one of the hotel’s many outdoor movie nights.
• Stay fit with a complimentary yoga class in the fitness center.
• Walk into town: Montauk’s circular plaza is less than a half-mile away; there, you can find local restaurants, bakeries, and boutiques.
• Sample local wines: Long Island’s East End is known for having a host of wineries and vineyards in the surrounding areas; favorites such as the Wölffer Estate Vineyard and Lieb Cellars are close by.

Montauk, New York: Plentiful Beaches near the Hamptons

Montauk is sometimes billed as “The Last Resort,” alluding to its location beyond the Hamptons on the easternmost tip of Long Island. It’s a quiet seaside hamlet, surrounded on three sides by bays and beachfronts—far removed from the bustle of New York City, which lies about 120 miles west.

There are a number of options for outdoor fun. Hither Hills State Park features picnic areas and hiking trails along the Atlantic, while the beach at Ditch Plains boasts a consistent surf break. Camp Hero State Park is one of the East Coast’s best spots for surf fishing—that is, fishing directly from the shoreline or while wading in the water. You can catch striped bass and bluefish during the main season, which typically runs from late spring through the fall (permit required).

The idyllic natural surroundings of nearby East Hampton have made it popular with celebrities and out-of-towners; Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Joel both have had homes here. In 1945, husband-and-wife painters Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner bought a wood-frame house in East Hampton; Pollock used the barn as his studio. Both buildings are still standing and have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. There are also a handful of structures in town that have survived from the colonial era, including a few wooden windmills.