Slice of Summer- Long Island Vacations
By Elisa DiStefano
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of my summer vacations to Montauk. The car ride seemed so long. Now I go there and back to the station in just a few hours!
Every Friday this summer, we are going to bring you a “Slice of Summer”. Tomorrow I’ll show you some great places to stay. I traveled from Montauk to Garden City for this one! Here’s what I found….
Gurney’s Inn in Montauk. I always love this place! It has a special warmth about it. I love their staff. It’s right on the Ocean. Every place you go on the resort you have this amazing ocean view. Their sea water spa is beautiful. They offer just about every service you can think of. You can even get massages on the beach. Their sea water pool is lovely. You can swim laps, play or relax. Plus, you are allowed to use it even if you aren’t staying at the hotel– so check it out! There are families, couples, and singles– so there’s something for everyone. They have yoga, classes, concerts, lobster bakes, and comedy shows. So you can fill your day or just relax.Their restaurants are also very nice–they have the best lobster roll I’ve ever tasted! And make sure you try their cookies too!
Montauk Yacht Club. I was dying to check this place out because I’ve read so much about it and their multi-million dollar modernization for their 80th Anniversary. There are always photo shoots there and lots of famous faces. It was beautiful and quite serene. They have everything– 3 pools (indoor and outdoor), a little private beach area, and of course the marina with amazing yachts. The rest
aurants looked really pretty. At the front desk they had a list of activities. Kids will love this place. They can sign up for surf camp! They offer private yacht cruises, lighthouse boat cruises, fishing excursions and a ton of events!
Capri Hotel in Southampton. I love Southampton. This hotel is really close to town- so if you like shopping- you’ll love it! If you are single or like the nightlife, I recommend staying here! The rooms are nice and the beds are super comfy. The hotel is home to Day and Night Restaurant and Beach Club. They have a really fun pool party on weekend days. I was there last Saturday and it was packed !Then at night, the hotel is home to one of the hottest nightclubs in the Hamptons, Pink Elephant.
East Wind in Wading River. I was shocked when we pulled up. What a beautiful hotel! If you love going to the spa- they have an amazi
ng 10,000 square foot one! The couples massage room looked so great. It’s the perfect romantic retreat. The rooms were really nice, the beds were so comfortable that I was literally falling alseep shooting my segement! And– this is so cool– they have a pillow menu! So you can choose the one you want! They also have Desmonds, a nice restaurant. So you don’t have to leave the hotel! I want to get my girlfriends together and go for a relaxing weekend!
Danfords in Port Jefferson. It’s a boutique hotel in the heart of Pt Jeff- so there are restaurants, shopping, bars all in walking distance! I was impres
sed with their rooms– so pretty and nautical! The marina is beautiful. My parents would always take us for ice cream at the Friggit and a walk on the dock when we were kids. Wave Restuarant is the only waterside outdoor dining dock in Pt Jeff!
Oheka Castle in Huntington. One of my most favorite places! The castle itself is breathtaking. If you watch the show Royal Pains, a lot of it was filmed at Oheka. So was the movie “What Happens in Vegas” with Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz. The formal gardens are spectacular. Each guest room is different and amazing. It’s a historic landmark with an incredible story. It’s also a private estate, so you can only get in if you are staying. The staff is the best. The food is delicious– especially the desserts! And golfers will love playing at the private course!
Garden City Hotel. It’s so luxurious! It’s where most celebs stay when they come to our island for events or pleasure. They call it a “culinary retreat”. Rein restaurant is award winning. People rave about their brunch! It’s just a beautiful place to stay. You’ll get the VIP treatment!
Let me know if you have any recommendations!!!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:36 pm
hi elisa, I DID NOT KNOW YOU ARE SO VACATIONERY,YES I WENT TO GURNEYS RESORT ALSO ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO I AM SURE IT HAS CHANGED ALOT.I HAVE ALSO BEEN TO THE MONTAUK LIGHTHOUSE ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP WHERE THE BEACON IS. THE SIGHT FROM THAT HIGH UP IS SO AMAZING I COULD NOT BELEIVE IT.YOU COULD SEE THE ENTIRE ISLAND FROM UP THEIR.I REALLY NEED TO MAKE TIME TO VISIT MONTAUK AND SOUTHHAMPTON AGAIN. SOME OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS USED TO OWN A CANDY/SANDWICH SHOP THEIR LONG AGO WHEN WE VISITED THEM AT MY YOUNG AGE I LOVED TO DRINK THE LARGE “CHOCALTE COLD EGG CREAM’NOW THAT WAS GOOD JUST CAN’T MAKE TODAY AS GOOD AS IT WAS THEN.DO YOU REMEMBER THAT DRINK?WELL TAKE CARE AND HAPPY VACATIONING TO YOU. MARTIN AKA SANDMAN….
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:51 am
Hey Elisa,
Very good blog on things to do on Long Island this summer. Hope you have a fun summer. Hope you can get out to a Truck Shop on July 18 or 19 this year in Riverhead on Sound Ave. Hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Hope to see you there maybe.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I don’t have any suggestions other than “the parks,” since many of them are amazing. However, I’d like to see some on the indoor activities like the museums.
I mean, I know they’re around, but there’s surprisingly little information to go on. You’d think the Long Island Museum Association would be a bit more prominent, but I’ve never seen anything more sophisticated than a phone listing from them, whereas I’d really like to know about locations and exhibits.
In theory, I mean. I know you only have a few weeks to run the series, and at least two weeks obliged to be South Shore beaches and Fire Island.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Hey Elisa.
Thanks for the info on “What Happens in Vegas”. I enjoyed that movie and always thought the lighthouse scene was the only scene shot on LI.
After doing some research, I found out they shot 5 other scenes there which is pretty cool.
Thanks again.
July 5th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Although the places you have mentioned look and sound great. Can you recommend places that we can actually afford with a family?
July 7th, 2009 at 12:34 am
HI ELISA
great blog there are so many great places on long island you can go to, and elisa you looked great in that photo.keep up the good work TAKE CARE.