The Surf Lodge in Montauk
Unwind at Montauk’s low-key yet high-style boutique hotel, The Surf Lodge.
It’s summer, and you just want to relaaaaax. So skip the buttoned-up fussiness of the Hamptons, and keep driving all the way east on Long Island to Montauk, where the vibe is decidedly more laid-back. And the place to stay for your ultra-chill getaway? The Surf Lodge, a boutique hotel located half a mile from the beach on Fort Pond.
Designer Robert McKinley and his partners opened the 32-room hotel in 2008 “to create a fun clubhouse that celebrates the summer and the Montauk beach culture,” he explains, and it caters to a bohemian, yet fashionable clientele. Earthy materials and furnishings abound, with a whitewashed interior, reclaimed barn planked walls, open-rafted ceilings and billowy white hammocks on private decks overlooking the water. The front desk employees and waitstaff are dressed in uniforms from the eco fashion brand Loomstate.
The restaurant is run by hunky Top Chef contestant Sam Talbot and serves fresh, local seafood and organic fare. It’s a popular destination for locals and vacationers not staying on the property as well as for hotel guests. New this summer is a food truck that serves a Hawaiian plate lunch.
On weekends, hipster revelers pack the large outdoor deck enjoying a drink while watching the sun set over the pond or rocking out to a concert—this summer, the hotel will feature performances by the Growlers and Mishka, among other acts. Each Sunday, movies are shown on a big screen out on the deck. In previous years, films have included surf classics like Endless Summer and new documentaries.
As for activities, stand-up paddle boards and bicycles are available for rent, along with surfboards and wetsuits for those inspired by the surfer vibe. Sign up for lessons with the in-house surf pro, Dustin Franks, a singer/songwriter who on some evenings can be found performing on the outdoor deck. Puff & Putt in Montauk Village rents canoes and kayaks you can take out on Fort Pond. On weekends, a shuttle in the form of a vintage Pinzgauer all-terrain vehicle is available to take Surf Lodge guests to the nearby beach.
Want to see a little more? Catch a boat at the harbor for a whale-watching tour, half-day fishing trip or sunset cruise, or explore one of the six state parks in the area. There’s also the Montauk Point Lighthouse, built in 1796, or horseback riding at Deep Hollow Ranch, the first cattle ranch in the United States, established in 1658.
Getting there
The Surf Lodge
183 Edgemere St., Montauk, N.Y.
631.668.1562
thesurflodge.com
Driving time: about 3 hours
