<p>I need some advice for where to stay in the Hamptons for a first-time trip- this would be for 3 adults. This would be a short stay - 2 nights max. I’ve done some major searches - Trip Advisor - Long Island/Hamptons websites, and I was wondering if staying in Amagansett would be ok, since I am not familiar with the area. It would be nice to be on the beach but also be near the center of activity.</p>
<p>Amagansett is between the Hamptons and Montauk. It’s kind of quiet and laid back. Southampton is the center of activity. East Hampton Is east and fun. Montauk is very commercial. Sag Harbor is on the bay on the north of the south fork and is a lovely town.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input. It sounds like either Southampton or East Hampton is where we would like to be situated, so now all I need to do is find a decent accommodation. After reading some of the reviews on Trip Advisor for some of the larger resorts, it seems like the B & B’s are getting much better reviews, but with 3 adults (and we all need our own beds), those accommodations will not work. Maybe we should just plan on staying in the city and drive up for the day - we’re used to doing that, so that’s always an option, but it wouldn’t be the same as actually staying there.</p>
<p>The thing about the Hamptons is that the beach access is all pretty central–very few properties face the water–most are located in town or off the beach. Only Diane Keaton types live ON the beach, LOL. That’s why you shouldn’t discount Sag Harbour–it’s only a ten minute drive to the beach access point–a 20 minute bike ride. Sag Harbour is very lovely in the evenings–restuarants and movie theatre and charming shops. It is far more charming and welcoming than poncy EHampton, in my opinion. </p>
<p>Beware: parking at the beaches can be an issue in the summer.</p>
<p>For that reason, you could try to get a spot at Ocean Dunes–<a href=“Loading...”>Loading...; --which is right near the Indian Wells beach. <a href=“Google Maps”>Google Maps; They have two bedroom units.</p>
<p>Even though it’s a bit east–you could also try Seacrest --which is 7 miles east of Amagansett. <a href=“http://www.duneresorts.com/pageSiteTemplate.asp?SITEID=SEA[/url]”>http://www.duneresorts.com/pageSiteTemplate.asp?SITEID=SEA</a></p>
<p>You can also climb though craigslist… <a href=“new york housing - craigslist”>new york housing - craigslist;
<p>Amagansett was home to many famous painters–including DeKooning. The quality of light out there is amazing. <a href=“http://www.beachamptons.com/blog/real-estate-news/elaine-de-kooning-studio-for-sale-in-east-hampton/[/url]”>http://www.beachamptons.com/blog/real-estate-news/elaine-de-kooning-studio-for-sale-in-east-hampton/</a>
<a href=“http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/arts/ny-ffarc5235911jun03,0,6570976.story[/url]”>http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/arts/ny-ffarc5235911jun03,0,6570976.story</a></p>
<p>Hey, Cheers, we had an oceanfront house in Quogue growing up…no Diane Keaton $$ here! My parents sold it for something like $55,000.00…(1965) Talk about lost real estate opportunities!! errr…</p>
<p>nyu mom
are you planning a visit this summer season? a day trip up and back from Manhattan would be 2 1/2 hrs each way.</p>
<p>Or more if traffic is really a bear.</p>
<p>
Susan Lucci lives in Quogue.</p>
<p>That’s some very random info from a former Hamptons nanny. :)</p>
<p>Great advice above. I personally think East Hampton is a little too pricey and South Hampton, while fun for shopping and restaurants, can be the same way.</p>
<p>The Ocean Colony (I think that’s still what it’s called) in Amagansett is beautiful. Little cottages with multiple one or two bedroom units, and just recently they built some more motel-like units. It’s on the beach, and also has a heated pool.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your wonderful advice and anecdotes.<br>
Cheers - I will definitely check out those websites and look innto staying in Sag Harbor.
Cathymee - I guess that it’s too far for a day trip. We’re hoping to be able to go in a couple of weeks - one day would be a weekday and the other day would be a weekend. It’s basically an exploratory trip, since it’s out first time - we can always go back, but we’re limited by D’s schedule - this is the only time that she’s going to be available until mid-August.
Chedva - I was considering the Ocean Colony, but then I read some unfavorable reviews, so I’m still interested but researching some other places. I tend to be somewhat picky about my accommodations - it has to be a 3* establishment and live up to that expectation even though it’s only for a night or two (I blame my parents for that one!)</p>
<p>We were just out to the east end checking out places for a week in August. I particularly liked the Surf Club in Montauk. They have one and two bedroom ocean front condos. </p>
<p>My overall impression was that I did not need a brand name designer label on my vacation – so I would pass over East Hampton and go a little further out.</p>
<p>Check out Duneresorts.com and see what they have available for your dates.</p>
<p>Thanks cnp55 and chedva - actually, it was the Seacrest that had a couple of unfavorable reviews - the Ocean Colony looks ok, but the minimum nightly rental for the type of unit that we would need is 4 nights - darn! I will continue to check Duneresorts.com for availability. I will also check the Surf Club.</p>
<p>I was thinking of Keaton’s house in the movie…Something’s Gotta Give. What a spectacular house. dke…I hear you on the lost real estate.</p>
<p>2 1/2 hours to the hamptons during the summer–if you’re lucky. I’ve spent 3 1/2 to 4 hours sitting in traffic from Manhattan. nyumom…check into renting bikes when you’re there–it’s a great way to get around to see everything without having the hassle of parking and terrible traffic (yes, tiny EHampton can get very congested). <a href=“http://www.easthamptonchamber.com/listing.ihtml?cat=Bicycles&id=83[/url]”>http://www.easthamptonchamber.com/listing.ihtml?cat=Bicycles&id=83</a></p>
<p>Ideally you won’t be in your hotel room much, nyumom–so don’t overthink those reviews. Be sure to get restaurant reviews–those are the critical reviews to consider! Also, those are New Yorkers–it’s always worth asking if they will waive the four night minimum. Ya never know.</p>
<p>Speaking of real estate opportunities-- I spent a weekend with the girl scouts at Camp Blue Bay- almost 200 acres of waterfront and woods just minutes from East Hampton’s main street. It must just kill the real estate people to see it sitting there, happily undeveloped except for the cabins. If only they could do something about the ticks…</p>
<p>Cheers - You are absolutely right in not over-thinking the reviews - but we will definitely scope out the restaurants ahead of time. As far as the traffic is concerned, I believe that it could take that long to get there - the thought of being in gridlock doesn’t sound appealing - maybe that’s why I’ve avoided seeing the Hamptons up until now - and I’m so used to drviving into nyc- and thank goodness have never had a problem except being in gridlock for an inordinate about of time. I might be able to get some of the accommodations for less than the minimum stay- especially if they’re not sold out for that time period.</p>
<p>nyumom
I neglected to add…in summer season they will always have a minimum nights stay for weekends,it will be hard for you to check out on a Saturday.</p>
<p>You could do as the glitterati do–and take a heli ride out there ;)</p>
<p><a href=“http://nymag.com/urban/guides/summerfun/gettohamptons.htm[/url]”>http://nymag.com/urban/guides/summerfun/gettohamptons.htm</a></p>
<p>Don’t worry nyumum–it is worth the effort–the beaches and dunes are spectacular–partly because hardly any of the New York regulars go to the beach (“Sand! Yuck!”). the galleries and architecture sightseeing are fun–the bike rides are a delight.</p>
<p>I figured that since it will be part of a weekend it might be difficult to get something for only two nights, but hopefully, since it’s June, there might be an opening here and there. H said that he saw an episode on both “Seinfeld” and “Sex and the City” that depicted around a 5-6 hour commute to the Hamptons. Sorry I missed seeing that. The heli ide sounds like fun, except that we’re not good with “rides” - but I’m sure some people would enjoy it.</p>
<p>Actually, the speedboat ride sounds cool.</p>
<p>cnp55,
We still have not made it out to the Hamptons yet, but are trying to go sometime this month. I was wondering if you did stay at the Surf Club, because I’m considering that as a possibility - it looks nice from the photos and description, but sometimes it’s difficult to go by that. If you have any feedback on the property, please let me know. Thanks.</p>