Hotels in the Hamptons

You don't have to be a media mogul or industry titan to stay in the Hamptons. Below is a sampling of hotels, motels and inns available for overnight guests.

Rates vary widely based on the season and day of the week. For that reason, we have placed the hotels in relative price categories: expensive, $$$; moderate, $$$; inexpensive, $. Note, many require minimum stays at peak times on weekends and holidays. Most are fully booked on weekends and some weekdays for the rest of summer, but rooms start becoming available on weekdays in mid-August and weekends after Labor Day. Call ahead for rates and terms for the date(s) of your stay.

AMAGANSETT

Gansett Green Manor, 273 Main St.; 631-267-3133, gansettgreenmanor.com This inn and small cluster of cottages are nothing less than dreamy. The décor captures "shabby chic" without feeling self-conscious. Masseuses and baby-sitters are available. Trendy shops and restaurants are nearby, and the beach is a 1½ miles to the south. The Hampton Jitney has a stop out front. $$$.

Ocean Colony Beach and Tennis Club,2004 Montauk Hwy.;631-267-3130, duneresorts.com/oceancolony Nestled in the dunes of Amagansett, this 8-acre resort has its own 400-foot beachfront just for guests. Apartments offer privacy, and the buildings and grounds are well maintained. Tennis courts, a pool and the beach keep guests coming back. Accommodations include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and a two-bedroom cottage. $

Sea Breeze Inn, 30 Atlantic Ave.; 631-267-3692 Smell the banana bread baking as you walk in the door. All the pastries served at breakfast are baked on the premises, which also has a vegetable garden. Guests in the main house feel like they're staying at grandma's, with quilts and country furnishings throughout. Out back are separate units, some with air conditioning and all with private baths. Complimentary beach parking passes are available, and beer, water and other beverages are on hand for guests, who pay for them on the honor system. $$

White Sands Resort 28 Shore Rd.;631-267-3350, whitesands-resort.com Out front mounds of flowers cascade over terraced grounds. Out back, the rooms look out to the Atlantic Ocean beyond white, sparkling beaches that aren't jammed with tourists. Rooms have a Zen-like decor that makes the stay even more relaxing. Standard rooms and efficiency apartments available. $

EAST HAMPTON

The 1770 House, 143 Main St.; 631-324-1770, 1770house.com At this sumptuous inn, no detail is forgotten. With six rooms and a carriage house, reservations are recommended way in advance. A full breakfast is served on weekends. Expect fine dining in the acclaimed restaurant, or enjoy traditional pub fare in the tavern. Or never leave your room. Each is equipped with a 40-inch plasma TV and wireless internet connection. Sleep on pillow-top mattresses in beds dressed in Frette linens. Don the robe and slippers and relax, especially if you choose a room with a fireplace. $$$

The Baker House 1650, 181 Main St.;631-324-4081, bakerhouse1650.com This inn has all the warmth of an English manor with none of the stuffiness. Paneled walls, exposed beams, low ceilings and bookcases loaded with classic hardbacks will remind you of your Oxford days (if you had them). All five rooms have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, Bose sound systems, mini bars and beds with Frette linens. A lap-pool and spa in the basement, completes this civilized retreat. $$$

East Hampton Village Bed and Breakfast, 172 Newtown Lane; 631-324-1858, easthamptonvillagebandb.com Family-owned and operated, this bed and breakfast was once the home of a whaling captain. The family managed to modernize each of the four guest rooms without robbing them of their charm. Request the Captain's Room and bathe in the home's original claw-foot bathtub. Each room has a private bath, air conditioning and wireless internet access. Best yet, it's a short stroll to East Hampton village, so you can dodge the hassles of driving downtown. $$

The Hedges Inn, 74 James Lane; 631-324-7101, thehedgesinn.com Genteel but breezy, this inn was recently renovated inside and out. The public areas are gorgeous, but the inattentive desk clerk on duty when we arrived could use a bit of polish in area of customer service. Companies sometimes book the entire inn for special events -- a Victoria's Secret corporate function, a Hanes photo shoot - so reserve far in advance. The 12 guest rooms have private baths, and the flagstone patio is a popular destination for evening refreshments. $$$

Huntting Inn, 94 Main St.; 631-324-0410, hunttinginn.com With only 19 rooms, the inn is cozy and intimate. Eight bathrooms were recently renovated, and all the rooms have beds with pillow-top mattresses. Continental breakfast is included, and at dinner, The Palm restaurant serves fish, steaks, chops and hearty Italian fare. $$$

Maidstone Arms, 207 Main St.; 631-324-5006,maidstonearms.com A grand dame of the Hamptons, the Maidstone Arms may someday be converted into condos, but until then, the 16 rooms and three cottages are available for overnight guests. Manicured lawns and gardens invite guests to enjoy breakfast outdoors. Inside, colorful murals adorn the tap room that adjoins a cozy dining room. The guest-room décor makes liberal use of florals fabrics and lace. Breakfast is included, and the restaurant is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Complimentary beach passes and towels are available to guests. $$$

SAG HARBOR

The American Hotel, 49 Main St.; 631-725-3535, theamericanhotel.com This historic eight-room hotel in the heart of Sag Harbor is considered a "boutique hotel" for its charm, character and luxury amenities. All rooms have private baths with Jacuzzi tubs. Mini bars and plush down comforters are also a draw. The restaurant and tavern have a clubby feel, complete with a giant moose head that peers down on guests. Finding the desk attendant can be trying, so keep trying. $$

Baron's Cove Inn,31 W. Water St.;631-725-2100, baronscove.com Dock the boat in the marina just beyond the front door, then enjoy a hot shower and a hot meal prepared in the kitchenette of your room. From there it's just a short walk to downtown Sag Harbor. Beach-goers can visit nearby Havens Beach Bay or Bridgehampton Beach to the south. The 66 rooms are decorated in a nautical theme, fitting for this old whaling village. A tennis court, sun deck and pool are on the grounds. It's not glitzy, but it is a clean and quiet retreat from the crowds on Main Street. $

Sag Harbor Inn, 45 W. Water St.;631-725-2949, sagharborinn.com Enjoy proximity to the shops and restaurants of Main Street at here, but not the crowds and street noise. Rooms are decorated with reproduction pine furniture, and the fabrics and carpets could stand some updating. Upper-level decks provide stunning views of Noyack Bay. There's a pool, but it's not heated; wireless internet access is available throughout. $

BRIDGEHAMPTON

Bridgehampton Inn, 2266 Main St.; 631-537-3660, bridgehamptoninn.com The windows were being painstakingly washed on the day of our visit to this historic structure, built in 1795. Rooms are functional and refreshingly spare rather than choked with country-cute antiques and piles of knick-knacks. Treat yourself to a cooking class in the inn's kitchen as part of the Loaves & Fishes Cooking School (details: LoavesandFishesCookshop.com). Stroll to shops, restaurants and galleries nearby or visit the beach, a five-minute drive south. $$$