5 Memorial Day weekend boutique hotel getaways on Long Island
The Palms Hotel on Fire Island, N.Y. Credit: Palms Hotel Archives
If you're looking for a getaway this Memorial Day weekend, a Long Island staycation is the perfect escape. The Island offers water on all sides, nature within reach and dining, shopping and things to do galore. There are also boutique hotels that provide upscale and comfy places to stay. For a special Memorial Day weekend vacation, here are five places from Fire Island to the East End that check all the boxes.
COVID restrictions vary per venue; be sure to check what’s presently in effect before visiting.
Fathoms Hotel and Marina
Chairs pointing out toward Manhasset Bay from the deck of Fathoms Hotel and Marina in Port Washington. Credit: Cindie Leigh
After opening last summer, it’ll be the first Memorial Day weekend for this waterside boutique hotel. It has six rooms, most of which offer partial or full views of Manhasset Bay. All rooms feature king beds, mini refrigerators and 48-inch flat-screen TVs. Beautiful sunsets can be viewed from the decks that point out toward the water. Rates start at $298 for Memorial Day weekend.
NEARBY TO TRY Main Street and Port Washington Blvd have lots of restaurants, but take advantage of the bay by taking a water taxi from the end of the hotel’s pier to waterside eateries like Nino's Beach (43 Orchard Beach Blvd.; 516-502-0441, ninosbeach.com), LaMotta's (10 Matinicock Ave.; 516-944-7900, lamottas.net) and Butler's Flat (86 Orchard Beach Blvd.; 516-883-8330, butlersflat.com). To tour the bay by sailboat, Captain Steve's Sailing company (433 Main St.; 516-902-9099, captainstevesailing.com) offers charters right from the hotel marina. Guests can also rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from Atlantic Outfitters (405 Main St.; 516-767-2215, atlanticoutfitters.us). For fishing off the Gold Coast, the Angler Fleet (405 Main St.; 718-659-8181, theangler.com) offers public and private charters.
INFO 433 Main St., Port Washington; 516-883-4800, fathomshotel.com.
The Palms Hotel
Palms Hotel in Ocean Beach offers guests a bay beach, cottages for overnight stays and it's a short walk from local restaurants. Credit: Palms Hotel
The Palms Hotel in Ocean Beach features a private courtyard and a bay beach, where guests can relax on beach chairs, use barbecues to cook or borrow bicycles to explore the community. The hotel has rooms for stays, but for more spacious accommodations, there’s a pair of cottages and the penthouse that sports a second-story vantage point. Guests get free unlimited use of kayaks, stand up paddle boards and all rafts. Those staying on Memorial Day can also take part in a free BBQ party. Rates start at $369 for Memorial Day weekend.
NEARBY TO TRY Local restaurants are all footsteps from the Palms, but to get to other Fire Island communities, you’ll likely need a water taxi, and the Fire Island Ferries (631-665-8885; fireislandwatertaxi.com) provides lateral service between them all (rates vary per location). Another water taxi service to try is H2O Limo (631-878-0222), which started its service at the end of April. The ferries to and from Ocean Beach run out of Bay Shore (99 Maple Ave.; 631-665-3600, fireislandferries.com), making the dining and shopping scene in Bay Shore walkable for those spending a night at the Palms. For some time in the sand, the hotel has a private bay beach, but the village’s shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean is open and free to all.
INFO 168 Cottage Walk, Ocean Beach; 631-583-8870, palmshotelfireisland.com.
The Shoals
The Shoals, a new waterfront hotel, located in Southold. Credit: The Shoals
This Southold hotel opened in April and boaters can dock and stay as each of its 20 suites has a boat slip. The spot also features a charterboat that can take guests to a variety of locations along the North Fork, as well as around Shelter Island and even Sag Harbor in the Hamptons. The hotel offers yoga classes on its dock, where guests can also have drinks, sit by fires and even have picnics. There’s also an indoor lounge equipped with a full bar and an oyster restaurant. Head to the lawn where “The Shoals Food Truck” will be serving foods ranging from oysters and lobster rolls to bento boxes and ice cream, which can all be enjoyed on picnic tables. Rates start at $499 for Memorial Day weekend.
NEARBY TO TRY The village of Greenport is a hot spot for dining, shopping and nightlife, and The Shoals is only a short drive (3.3 miles) from the heart of its downtown. The North Fork’s vineyards and breweries are in full swing, so a trip down either Main Road or CR-48 will reveal a healthy selection of opportunities to consider. The nearest winery is The Old Field Vineyards (59600 Main Rd., Southold; 631-765-0004, theoldfield.com), about a half-mile to the west. If a hike is in order, the Paul Stoutenburgh Preserve (63455 Main Rd., Southold; peconiclandtrust.org) is only a 1/3 mile away and has a trail that runs past Hashamomuck Pond and through wetlands, woodlands and salt marsh meadows.
INFO 61600 Main Rd., Southold; 631-765-5121, theshoalsnorthfork.com.
The Maidstone
The Maidstone Hotel in East Hampton is located a quick walk from the beach and downtown shops. Credit: The Maidstone Hotel
You'll find this hotel across the street from the Town Pond, an ancient cemetery and a century-old church. The scenery also extends into each of its 19 rooms, with décor inspired by upscale Scandinavian culture. Its restaurant is reopening with a new chef who’s introducing a menu focused on modern seafood cuisines. Guests can also use the hotel’s vintage bicycles to explore the surroundings or use its parking permits to visit nearby beaches. The hotel also has a front lawn display that sells bottled cocktails, wines and picnic baskets good for the beach or just to take home. Rates start at $414 for Memorial Day weekend.
NEARBY TO TRY All the area shops and eateries are about a mile east of the hotel — but as East Hampton is in the heart of the Hamptons, make plans to explore the restaurants and stores in neighboring communities like Southampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Amagansett and Montauk. However, only about 2/10 of a mile away is Guild Hall (158 Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-0806, guildhall.org), an arts and entertainment center with a museum and an events calendar.
INFO 207 Main St., East Hampton; 833-953-2619, themaidstone.com.
The Chequit
The Chequit in Shelter Island offers guests a relaxing getaway. Credit: The Chequit
This Shelter Island hotel had been undergoing two years of renovations and is reopening just as Memorial Day weekend arrives. The inn features 19 rooms and is adding a new restaurant, Weakfish, which focuses on noodle and sushi dishes. Guests will also have access to amenities such as bicycles and water sports equipment. Rates start at $395 for Memorial Day weekend.
NEARBY TO TRY Only a half-mile from the North Ferry Company (12 Summerfield Pl., Shelter Island Heights; 631-749-0139, northferry.com), hotel guests can walk to the ferry, which lands directly in Greenport Village, making it an easy trip. Staying on the island has its perks too, especially for nature lovers. Shelter Island Kayak Tours (80 Burns Rd., Shelter Island; 631-749-1990, kayaksi.com) provides guided and self-guided tours that focus on an aquatic path known as the Coecles Harbor Marine Water Trail.
For local food and drink options, Shelter Island Craft Brewery (55 North Ferry Rd., Shelter Island; 631-749-5977, shelterislandcraftbrewery.com) is scheduled to reopen by Memorial Day weekend, and for a unique bite The Eccentric Bagel (25 W. Neck Rd., Shelter Island; 631-749-5363, eccentricbagel.com) features artisan bagels in traditional and unusual types, such as za'atar and jalapeño Cheddar.
INFO 23 Grand Ave., Shelter Island Heights; 631- 749-0018, thechequithotel.com.
