The Hedges Inn

With a brick pathway leading to the front door and wooden rocking chairs on the porch, The Hedges Inn has a quaint, laid-back vibe. The shuttered windows and potted geraniums perfectly offset the white picket fence and exterior, making the Inn inviting-looking from the outside -- a vibe which continues on the inside as well. The spacious and warm lobby has a working fireplace and backgammon table, encouraging guest interaction. Expansive grounds and gardens are perfectly maintained with a terrace, hammock, and gazebo for added comfort. During warmer times, swans can be seen in the village pond, which this property overlooks. After all is said, it's not a surprise that this inn sees many guests return year after year. 

Situated on a quiet side street in East Hampton, The Hedges Inn is just around the corner from the downtown area and close to beaches; both can be easily accessed via free shuttle service or by foot. Nearby attractions include the Home Sweet Home Museum, Jewish Center of the Hamptons, Guild Hall, and East Hampton Main Beach. The hotel offers assistance with outside venue tickets and transportation. For those who enjoy seafood and a venue that doesn’t consider itself part of the area scene, Cafe Max is a short drive west, with the shop Wines By Morrell down the road.  

Decorated with a nod to the sea, the 12 unique rooms in the Inn, varying in size and bed configurations, are all decked in tranquil shades of blue and white. None of the spaces are huge since these are separate rooms within a renovated historical home, but they are more spacious than one might expect and are immaculately maintained. There’s pride in the inn and it shows. Though there are no in-room mini-fridges or coffeemakers  -- you can always get hot beverages in the common areas -- the rooms do offer flat-screen TVs with digital channels, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The bedding is comfy with lots of pillows and wrought-iron headboards. Thanks to upgrades, bathrooms are modern and clean, most with both showers and tubs (though some have only showers, so be sure to ask if a bath is important to you). All rooms have luxe toiletries and plush robes available as well.

Little reminders that you're at the beach are scattered around -- like wall art of sailboats or occasional decoratively placed seashells -- but thanks to the wooden furniture and interesting room shapes, you will also feel like you're staying in a classic Victorian B&B. It's seaside charm at full tilt.

While you can easily walk to town or take a shuttle to area beaches, the inn also has well-maintained bicycles available for guest use in case you wish to tool around on two wheels. You can skip packing bulky towels as well since there are adorable beach baskets waiting for you in your room with loaner blankets. While the property has free Wi-Fi, a small computer is also available for guest use in the den area with high-speed Internet. Romantic weddings can be arranged using the inn's gorgeous gardens and terrace for ceremonies and receptions, with guests oftentimes staying right on the property. However, the hotel has a strict cancellation policy -- like most smaller inns in the area -- since it books up quickly and well in advance. While there’s also no on-site restaurant, there is a full bar located just off the sunny breakfast room. And on that note, the inspired, homemade breakfasts -- free with your stay -- are decadent and not to be missed.