Montauk Soundview Resort Hotel

Perched above Napeague Bay, The Montauk Soundview Resort Hotel combines incredible views with a low-key vibe. The property consists of freshly painted, two-story white buildings with bright blue roofs, centered around a pebbled parking area and an elevated swimming pool. A simple reception space, with gray tile floors and soft-blue walls decorated with beach photography, sets a nautical tone that continues into the guest rooms. Otherwise, there's no indoor common space. Instead, guests tend to relax around the pool or on the "beach" -- a stretch of sand lined with sunbeds and barbecue grills, elevated above the bay. The cozy setting and proximity to the marina tends to draw families, as well as some couples and friends looking for self-catering accommodations away from busy Montauk Village. 

The Montauk Soundview sits on the coast of Napeague Bay, overlooking the water from many vantages on-site. Montauk Village is about a five-minute drive away, but there are a good number of restaurants, bars, shops, and grocery stores within a few minutes' walk of the hotel. The famed Gosman's Dock restaurant, right on the water, is a five-minute walk, as is the marina, where boat rentals are available. Montauk Point and Camp Hero State Parks are a 10-minute drive away, both of which have hiking and biking trails and striking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the beaches are located along the southern side of Montauk, including strips of sand at Ditch Plains and Kirk Park -- both within a 10-minute drive. The train station, with service from Long Island and New York City (which has the closest major airports), is a five-minute car ride from the hotel. The Block Island Ferry, with two-hour ferry service to Block Island, is just a minute walk from the Soundview. 

Options at the Soundview include Studios, One- and Two-Bedroom Units, and Two-Bedroom Cottages. Decor varies, and the rooms we looked at showcased the full range of styles -- from those that are more homey to those that are more polished. In any case, the look is definitively beachy and nautical, and entirely appropriate for the many families that pass through here. One cottage that we saw was airy and bright, with crisp-white and cool-blue decor, wood floors, and nice touches such as wall-mounted oars and a driftwood centerpiece. However, another cottage felt darker and more masculine, with navy leather sofas and some scuffed dark-wood furniture. All have full kitchens, or kitchenettes with mini-fridges and two-burner ranges. Some have older tube-style TVs while others feature flat-screen versions, and all have cable and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are clean and white, with toiletries and towels provided; some have shower/tub combos while others have shower stalls. Each unit has outdoor space, though these range from a grassy strip to a wooden balcony with views of the bay -- guests suggest taking in the great sunsets and getting a second-floor suite if possible. 

There aren't very many features here, but the lack of restaurant and indoor common space is understandable as suites are self-catering and nicely sized. The rectangular outdoor pool is the property's focal point, lined with sunbeds and offering picturesque views of the bay. Just beyond the pool is a sandy stretch that makes up the hotel's "beach." There's no swimming here, but it offers more lounge space, grills for guest use, and a small playground for kids. A guest laundry room with coin-operated washers and dryers is also available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and parking is also free.