Mill House Inn

An enormous across-the-street mill announces one's arrival at Mill House Inn, a brick-and-shingles craftsman home originally built in 1790. Seven decades later, the property was purchased by an Irish immigrant, Patrick Lynch, who had worked on the original owner's farm. The Lynches first used the home as an inn around the turn of the last century, making Mill House Inn one of the oldest continuously run inns in the Hamptons. Sylvia and Gary Muller bought the house in 1999, and over the years have overseen three structural renovations, creating a luxurious bed-and-breakfast with its sense of rich history intact.Because of its small size and tranquil setting, the inn appeals to wealthy peace-and-quiet-seekers rather than scenesters or families with young kids. The leafy grounds provide lovely green areas with stone and wood-plank paths, hydrangeas, ferns, conifers, birdbaths, and a koi pond. A front porch lined with French doors lends itself to a good book, and guests can play vintage board games (chess, backgammon, and Chinese checkers) while sipping artisanal coffee and noshing on a self-assembled meat-and-cheese plate from the lobby snack bar. The gourmet free breakfast, which includes items like lobster frittata or brioche French toast, is served in a charming dining room with wood-beam ceilings or in the rose garden. The inn's service, many personal touches, and overall quality are outstanding, but rates are some of the highest in the area (and this is a very pricey area). 

It is easy to drive right past this historic home on a main road in East Hampton -- but once you see the long row of French doors that open onto the front porch, it can’t be missed. The property lacks an oceanfront location or a pool, but has a serene setting within walking distance (five minutes) to all of the downtown East Hampton action. Area beaches can be reached in 10 minutes by car; Sag Harbor, Montauk, and Southampton can be reached in between 15 and 20.

Accommodations at Mill House Inn consist of 10 individually themed rooms and suites. Additionally, the Graybarn Cottage, a short distance from the inn, is a four-bedroom private house available for rent.In every room is a gas or electric fireplace, Tivoli tabletop radio, and large flat-screen TV with premium channels and a DVD player. Individual temperature controls and free Wi-Fi are also standard. Queen or king Sealy mattresses are dressed in upscale Mascioni linens, quilts, and down comforters. Bathrooms feature marble showers (some rooms also have tubs), bathrobes, and organic toiletries.Classic Rooms start at a snug 200 square feet. These feature queen beds, while the 250-square-foot Superior Rooms have enough room for a king bed and an armchair, plus a tub in the bathroom. Junior Suites upgrade to 400 square feet of space (plus mini-fridges). Instead of tubs, they offer steam showers. The 650-square-foot Suites offer more amenities, such as wet bars (with microwaves and mini-fridges), dining tables, sofa beds, and private decks. Suite bathrooms have marble showers and massaging air baths. All beds come with a signature black stuffed dog. Because the owners are dog lovers, they allow four-legged friends in the suites that have their own entrances. Housekeeping visits twice a day, and turndown is performed at night.

Mill House's most celebrated feature is its highly acclaimed breakfast, served in one of two lovely settings: the dining room or the rose garden. (Suites come with the option for in-room dining.) Breakfast is included with the cost of the room, but this is no ordinary meal. The menu is extensive and gourmet (think lobster frittata and brioche French toast) and portions are huge; in fact, the inn’s breakfast is a consistent award-winner in the Hamptons. At other times of the day, the hotel's stocked kitchen offers snacks and drinks that will sate even the most discerning foodie. The selection of charcuterie meats and cheeses, which the hotel regularly sources from local farms and vendors, might include double-cream brie, black truffle cheddar, salami, and wild game. Glass jars contain homemade chips and cookies (like chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin) and Tazo tea and small-batch coffee are accompanied by honey sticks and crystallized ginger. In a fridge are several different flavors of Hal's seltzer waters and fresh-pressed juices. Places to enjoy an afternoon snack plate include the relaxing front porch, the lovely dining area and game room, or the outdoor stone patio, where wooden tables, benches, and loungers are set up.The hotel is dog-friendly for a nightly fee, with nice amenities such as home-cooked meals, a dog bed, and food and water bowls. For beach days, guests are welcome to borrow coolers, chairs, towels, and umbrellas. Wi-Fi and parking are both free.