Montauk Manor

Although Montauk Manor is well past its glamorous 1920s heyday, when high society flocked to its grand ballrooms, the property still has some Old World panache. For starters, the red-brick Tudor Revival-style hotel is fringed with elegant gardens and surrounded by 12 acres of impeccably maintained lawns. All of it overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, Gardiner's Bay, and Block Island Sound, enhancing the quiet, away-from-it-all vibe of the property. A charming tree-lined drive leads up to the entrance, while inside, the spacious lobby features stone floors and vaulted ceilings with exposed dark-wood beams. A cozy fireplace lends some warmth, while many windows allow in natural light. Decor leans toward traditional -- floral prints, ruched drapes, ornate candelabras -- and there are more than a few ghost stories kicking around about the property, which perhaps lends the old photographs in the hallways a little more life than they deserve. Still, for older couples and families looking to stay outside of Montauk's bustle at a relaxed property with an unpretentious staff, this is a competitively priced choice with history to boot. 

Montauk Manor is removed from the Montauk scene, but is close enough to not feel too isolated. Montauk Station, with trains arriving from New York City and Long Island, is just a five-minute walk or two-minute drive away. A couple of restaurants are within five to 10 minutes' walk, and Montauk Downs State Golf Course is a few minutes' drive east. The restaurants, bars, and shops of downtown Montauk are within a few minutes' drive (or 20-minute walk) and Kirk Park Beach is just beyond. The hotel provides free shuttle service to town and various beaches throughout the day. It's a 10-minute drive to Montauk Point State Park, featuring a lighthouse, a rocky beach, and views of where the ocean meets the Long Island Sound. It's also a 10-minute drive to Camp Hero State Park, with trails for hiking and biking, plus beautiful ocean vistas. New York City is about a two-and-a-half to three-hour drive away and is home to the closest major airports; alternatively it's about three to four hours to New York by train. 

Montauk Manor offers privately owned, condo-style units that range from Studios to One-, Two-, and Three-Bedroom Suites. Each unit is decorated by its owners, so there is no consistent theme in terms of decor, and some units are considerably more dated than others. All have kitchens or kitchenettes with standard appliances and utensils/cookware, but these can also vary -- some have more modern Keurig machines while others feature basic coffeemakers, for example. The Studio we looked at had a spacious wooden balcony with tables, chairs, and sun loungers. But its decor was somewhat bland, in white and beige tones with dated ocean-themed accents. The bathroom, with a shower/tub combo and wall-mounted hairdryer, also showed signs of age, including dated fixtures. The lofted Two-Bedroom Suite we saw had a similarly homey look, with comfy couches in the living room and seashell art on the walls. Standard amenities include free (spotty) Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs with cable. Daily housekeeping is provided.

Montauk Manor's lawn features a barbecue area with a large modern grill, as well as seating nooks with couches and benches. However some guests note that there's little shade and a lack of umbrellas out on the grass. The heated outdoor pool is large and clean, lined with simple loungers, and set a short walk away from the main building. Inside, there's a heated pool with an adjacent hot tub. A local spa maintains a single treatment room at the hotel and offers a range of organic facials as well as massages for a fee; reservations are required. The hotel also has a small, carpeted fitness room with cardio and weight machines. There are three outdoor tennis courts, as well as bocce and shuffleboard courts, a putting green, and a basketball court. Activities like lawn yoga and murder mystery weekends are sometimes offered. The on-site, family-style restaurant serves Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner, as well as breakfast and brunch inside a warm brick-walled space or out on a spacious patio. Room service isn't available, and food gets mixed reviews. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though it's not the best, and a guest computer is available. The hotel's free shuttle drops off and picks up guests at local area destinations like downtown Montauk and the beach. A coin-operated laundry room is a handy extra, and the hotel has meeting rooms for business guests.