The Maidstone Hotel

While some Hamptons inns make you feel a million miles from Manhattan, the Maidstone does the opposite with its ultra-curated design and sophisticated, see-and-be-seen crowd. Though some guests have their noses in the air, staff members -- many of whom are Scandinavian -- fit the quintessential bed-and-breakfast-style hospitality. 

The Maidstone occupies a gorgeous antebellum Greek Revival home that was once used as a tannery; its first overnight guests were travelers waiting for their saddles to be repaired. By the 1920s, the property was functioning fully as an inn, and over the years, it attracted a who's-who roster of guests from fashionable society. Swedish-American hotelier Jenny Ljungberg purchased the property in 2008, and transformed it into a curated-to-a-T, Scandinavian-centric oasis where guests can experience the iconic Hamptons scene. In spite of its sophisticated and design-driven vibe, the Maidstone does in fact welcome kids, offering small beds and cribs for the rooms and games and books in the library. Even so, the clientele here tends to skew very adult.

Once you take that memorable left turn on Montauk Highway to enter East Hampton, the Maidstone -- a sprawling cottage close to town and beaches -- will come into view. The white-and-green facade is noticeable from the main thoroughfare where traffic can be a snarl, especially in summer months. Directly across Main St. from the hotel is South End cemetery, which dates back to the 1600s. The Maidstone is a five-minute walk to downtown East Hampton, and a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive to the beach. Driving to Sag Harbor and Montauk takes around 15 and 25 minutes, respectively, while driving to Southampton takes closer to 30.

Rooms have individualized decor and are named after famous Scandinavian personalities (three examples: the Hans Christian Anderson room, the Eliel and Eero Saarinen studio, and the Alfred Nobel cottage). Rooms tend to be on the smaller side, while suites offer a seating area and a bit more space. Private cottages are separate from the main building and have their own entrances, as well as wood-burning fireplaces and private blue-stone patios.

Rooms are individually decorated in accordance to their namesake. Case in point: The Carl von Linne cottage, named after the Swedish botanist and the father of taxonomy, features indoor and outdoor plants, a hidden garden, vintage taxonomic prints, and botanical wallpaper. All feature flat-screen TVs, Tivoli radios and speakers, USB hubs, and minibars stocked with local and organic treats. Beds feature luxury Hastens mattresses and Frette linens.

Most rooms have tubs, and some, like the colorful and eclectic Josef Frank room and the African-themed Karen Blixen studio, have freestanding tubs and separate showers (some rainfall). All bathrooms have hairdryers; Jonathan Baker and Malin + Goetz bath products; and organic cotton linens, towels, and bathrobes. All rooms come with permits for beach parking, as well as beach bags, towels, umbrellas, and chairs. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms and throughout the hotel.

Though the Maidstone doesn't have a pool, it goes out of its way to provide plenty of perks for guests. All rooms come with beach parking passes and beach equipment (chairs, umbrellas, towels, and bags). At the hotel itself, there are several places for lounging and socializing, including the front porch -- with rocking chairs covered in sheepskins from the Swedish island of Gotland -- and the beautiful garden grounds with Scandinavian loungers and outdoor lawn games (ping-pong; croquet; boules; and Kubb, a Swedish garden game). Vintage-style Scandinavian Kronan bicycles are available for guest use, and free yoga classes are held in the Buddha garden.

Wi-Fi and parking are both free, and there are two charging stations for Teslas. The hotel is dog-friendly for a daily fee, with dog zones, menus, and services, such as walking, grooming, and pet-sitting. Laundry service is available for a fee. During high season, the reception staff and concierge are available 24 hours.

The Restaurant at the Maidstone -- open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night bar snacks -- is considered a hot spot in East Hampton. When not using their own chef’s garden in the back, the kitchen will choose organic ingredients from local producers. Breakfast is included with the cost of the room during off-season, but comes with a charge in July and August. The buffet spread typically includes items like smoked fish, ham, cheese, yogurt, fruit, butter croissants, coffee, and juice; guests can take their breakfast in the restaurant, the adjacent lounge, the garden, or the light-soaked sunroom that overlooks Main Street, the pond, and the hotel's grounds. Dinner menu items might include oysters from nearby Peconic Bay and seared local scallops served with cauliflower puree and wild mushrooms. The wine cellar holds more than 300 bins from around the world, and the resident Sommelier will help with meal pairings. Kids' menus are available. 

The adjacent lobby bar and lounge serves upscale cocktails and an afternoon/early-evening happy hour. The richly decorated space features a crackling fireplace, plush blue-velvet seating, and original photography and artwork on the walls by Slim Aarons, Jonathan Lewis, Leif-Eric Nygard, and Ed Feingersh -- including one of his images of Marilyn Monroe.