Stay and explore: 4 Long Island hotels worth visiting

There’s much to be said for a vacation close to home, a "staycation" as it has come to be known. Saving on gas makes a lot of sense this summer, as does avoiding the hassles of air travel. But more importantly for Long Islanders, there’s so much to enjoy in our own backyard, whether it’s exploring that museum you always meant to visit, discovering a new restaurant or simply chilling on a beach or by a pool.

Here are four places to consider if you want to get away from it all without going too far away.

Luxury stay: Garden City Hotel

45 Seventh St., Garden City

Soak up some history while soaking in the indoor hot tub at this grand hotel. Opened in 1874, it was redesigned in the late 1890s by renowned architect Stanford White, who added the recognizable cupola modeled after Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. A devastating fire in 1899 destroyed almost everything and the hotel was rebuilt in time for Charles Lindbergh to stay the night before his flight across the Atlantic. Hard times hit the hotel and it was torn down in 1973, not to be rebuilt until 1983 by Myron Nelkin — with a new cupola and grand plans to give the hotel a Manhattan vibe.

Now the hotel is all about luxury. It’s close to South Shore beaches and golfers aren’t far from the famed Bethpage courses, but with 269 rooms and suites offering high-end amenities like Gilchrist & Soames bath products and Keurig beverage stations, you might not want to leave. There’s a fitness center and the hotel’s Red Hot Spa, a branch of the popular Roslyn spot, offers an extensive menu of facials, body treatments and massages, along with an infrared LED sauna.

Famous for its Sunday brunch, the hotel houses chef David Burke’s Red Salt Room, where signature dishes include dry-aged steaks with Himalayan sea salt and candied bacon hung from a clothesline. A little more laid back are the King Bar and the seasonal Patio Bar, while the marketplace Crave 45 offers grab-and-go sandwiches — or get them to pack a picnic basket.

• ROOM RATES Starting at $400
• MORE INFO 877-549-0400, gardencityhotel.com

The hotel’s central location puts you close to several entertainment venues — Jones Beach (1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh, 516-785-1600, parks.ny.gov), Nassau Coliseum (1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale, 516-654-8203, nassaucoliseum.com) and UBS Arena (2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont, ubsarena.com) are about a half-hour away.

Budget-friendly hotel: Homewood Suites by Hilton

40 Westbury Ave., Carle Place

Just minutes from attractions like the Long Island Children’s Museum and the Cradle of Aviation Museum, this budget-conscious hotel is perfect for a family getaway. Rooms are spacious, with many offering separate living areas and bedrooms. Self-parking is free, and an included hot breakfast buffet means one less meal to buy. The indoor pool and fitness center will take up any downtime.

• ROOM RATES Starting $250 per night
• MORE INFO 877-402-1597, hilton.com

But there may not be much. You could spend an entire day at the Long Island Children’s Museum (11 Davis Ave., Uniondale,, 516-224-5800, licm.org) where summer activities include an ice-cream craft project for kids 2 and up. The Cradle of Aviation Museum (Charles Lindberg Boulevard, Uniondale,, 516-572-4111, cradleofaviation.org) has several exhibits honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary. 

Also close, Roosevelt Field Mall (630 Old Country Rd., Uniondale, 516-742-8000, simon.com) for the shopaholics in the family and Samanea New York (1500 Old Country Rd., Westbury, 516-228-2110, exploresamanea.com), where the kids can burn energy on Empire Adventure Park’s trampolines and obstacle courses, or do some rock climbing at the Gravity Vault. For a more relaxing afternoon, tour the mansion and grounds at Old Westbury Gardens (71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury, oldwestburygardens.org).

When it’s time for lunch or dinner, you’ll have no problem finding a place to eat. Restaurants that encourage families include Mamas of Carle Place (231 Old Country Rd., 631-240-4440, carleplace.biggermamas.com) and Thomas's Ham & Eggery Diner (325 Old Country Rd., 516-333-3060, hamandeggry.com).

Escape with ocean views: Marram Montauk

21 Oceanview Terrace, Montauk

Guests at this 96-room boutique hotel can easily spend a few days just lounging by the pool or on the beach — but why would they? Not far from several of Montauk’s best-known surfing spots, the hotel will arrange private lessons offered by Engstrom Surf. Wellness is a major focus at Marram. Complimentary yoga sessions take place daily by the pool, while other experiences offered for a fee include guided meditations, reiki, sound baths, tarot card and astrology readings.

• ROOM RATES Starting at $900 per night for the rest of the summer, but drop after Labor Day
• MORE INFO 631-668-2050, marrammontauk.com

Guided nature walks let guests explore nearby Shadmoor State Park (900 Montauk Hwy., 631-668-3781, parks.ny.gov) with its magnificent bluffs or book a ride on the Mon Tiki catamaran (32 Star Island Rd., 631-668-2826, sailingmontauk.com).

Check out a complimentary cruiser bike and explore the iconic Montauk Lighthouse ($15, $5 younger than 12, free to children 41 inches and under; 2000 Old Montauk Hwy., 631-668-2544, montaukhistoricalsociety.org) or Camp Hero (1898 Montauk Hwy., 631-668-3781, parks.ny.gov) where a radar tower reminds you that the park was once a military base. Or head into town for some shopping — check out the Montauk Clothing Company (787 Montauk Hwy., 631-668-1281, montaukclothing.com) for local sweatshirts and hoodies. Back at the hotel, exercise your mind at lectures on subjects like architecture, art, and the people shaping the East End. Family week runs Aug. 30-Sept. 3, with activities like mommy and me yoga. When evening comes, gather around the fire pit for s’mores or sign up for a stargazing session.

The hotel’s seasonal restaurant Mostrador Marram is a low-key spot run by Argentine chef Fernando Trocca, where counter service features local seafood and produce with a menu that changes daily. Off property, Duryea’s Lobster Deck (65 Tuthill Rd., 631-668-2410, duryeas.com) is a popular waterfront restaurant known for its massive (and shareable) lobster cobb salad or check out the Montauket (88 Firestone Rd., 631-668-5992, themontauket.com) for drinks and great sunset views.

A ferry trip away: The Palms Hotel

168 Cottage Walk, Ocean Beach

The staycation starts the minute you get on the ferry from Bay Shore to Fire Island (99 Maple Ave., Bay Shore, 631-665-3600, fireislandferries.com; $25 round-trip; $13 ages 2-11), where you’ll find a wagon to help with your luggage for the short walk to this charming boutique hotel. Accommodations are spread across six locations, with a main hotel and separate cottages and efficiencies with kitchen facilities. Rooms range from a basic king in the main building to an eight-person suite with a private beach. The big draw is the private Palms Bay Beach on Great South Bay, where guests can chill under an umbrella and order a drink and snack, or get on the water with complimentary kayaks or paddleboards.

• ROOM RATES Starting at $500 per night
• MORE INFO 631-583-8870, palmshotelfireisland.com

The hotel has a patio with occasional barbecues and there’s a daily Champagne and cookie hour. Families can request a teepee for the kids, which will be set up with fairy lights, a teddy bear and a personalized note ($195 per night). Check out bikes to explore other communities on the island or take a water taxi (fireislandwatertaxi.com; $33 round-trip; $16 ages 12 and under) to Sailers Haven Marina for a hike through the ethereal Sunken Forest, where a boardwalk wanders along a 1.5-mile loop of holly and sassafras.

Guests get free breakfast at the hotel’s CJ’s restaurant (479 Bay Walk, 631-583-9890, cjsfireisland.com) where later in the day they can try the Rocket Fuel and lobster specials.