Montauk Travel Guide
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Try to Keep Your Laptop Dry While Using Solé East's Free Poolside WiFi
Solé East has mastered the ability to have that unique quality of being an "all play and no work" and an "all work and no play" destination thanks to their gift of free universal WiFi to guests.
The swanky, Euro-chic Montauk property has a strong wireless connection in the bungalow rooms and cabana suites, out by the heated pool, along the two rows of over-sized outdoor beds, in Backyard Restaurant — everywhere! Dare we say it: it's almost too much. We need to detach from the Mac. Yes, it is an amazing convenience, but after an 11am to 2pm outdoor work session we learned the hard way that laptop tan lines on the upper thighs are not a sexy look.
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The Surf Lodge in Montauk Opens for the Season on May 15
Summer is officially upon us: the Montauk Surf Lodge will be opening for business starting on May 15th. The Hamptons hotspot has been accepting rezzies since April 15th, and it's looking like rooms are going for about $275 and up.
The hotel, which opened last year from the nightlife group MCM Hospitality (the peeps behind CAIN), was not without its share of issues last summer: locals did not enjoy the fact that it existed. The place got lots of hip-and-trendy clubby visitors on the weekends, and guests were illegally parking in the streets and pissing off locals. Also, Montauk is supposedly all about the anti-Hamptons vibe, and the Surf Lodge has been a celeb magnet and locals feared the presence of the Surf Lodge was going to turn the whole place into another snooty destination. Hopefully everyone has a better attitude this year.
It was hella tough to get a rezzie at this hotel last summer — partly because it was super popular, and partly because they couldn't get their shiz together and had no online reservation system and their phones went perpetually un-answered. But it appears the online reservation system appears to be working this year, so have at it.
Tags: Hampton Hotels / Bernie Madoff / Hotel Parties / → All Tags
No More Madoff Parties at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel
Last week's shocking news that investor Bernie Madoff was running the biggest Ponzi scheme ever, in which losses totaled about $50 billion, is still sending aftershocks throughout communities around the world. And the Beachcomber Resort Hotel in Montauk is just one of many affected. While the Beachcomber did not invest with Madoff the hotel was the site of the Madoff company's huge Fourth of July Parties each year. The East Hampton Star reports:
According to a longtime employee of the hotel, who asked to remain anonymous, Mr. Madoff would rent the entire hotel for "anybody from the mail room up to the top executive," and was diligent about checking in to make sure "his people" were well cared for. The weekend typically included a dinner at the Montauk Yacht Club followed by a catered bash on the beach across from the Beachcomber the following day.
"He was a wonderful man," said the hotel employee, who was surprised to hear of the allegations. "He took care of everything. He was very generous to his employees and everybody spoke very highly of him."
How heartwarming it is to hear how generous he was with someone else's money. Hopefully the Beachcomber can find a new Fourth of July party host. Rates in the peak summer season start around $255 a night. The rooms are spacious but the decor is a little outdated. Not quite fit for a billionaire, even a fake one.
[Photo: Telegraph UK]
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Surf Lodge Co-Owner Attempts to Mitigate the Tension
But it looks so peaceful on the inside...
There's so much drama at the SLM--Surf Lodge in Montauk and it's kinda hard being a hotel owner managing all of the tension. But the Surf Lodge's co-owner/partner Steven Kamali is trying to bring some peace to the table. He tells us exclusively:
The Surf Lodge has successfully been attracting an incredible number of families within the local Montauk community....
Unfortunately as with any new business in a small town, there will always be a small minority of people that are not comfortable with the increased attention being brought to the area.
But we are confident that with time they will come realize the benefits of our presence.
According to a report in the NY Post yesterday, the Surf Lodge has come under the ire of locals who are annoyed by the illegal parking and New York City attitude. But guests are still flocking there. The hotel, which only has 32 rooms and features a restaurant helmed by Top Chef hotness Sam Talbot, is fully booked for the month of August.
Have you stayed at the Surf Lodge? Let us know how it went.
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Round Two of The People of Montauk vs. The Surf Lodge
All eyes are on Montauk this summer, thanks largely to the freaky-as-all-hell Montauk Monster that washed up on shore and has since sent the whole nation into a frenzy about mutated animals. [Ed. Note: Also, it helped Gawker meet its monthly traffic goal.]
But aside from the monster on the beach, hideous creatures are also spending some time about town, according to the Montauk locals.
And, oh goodness, after round 1 of the people of Montauk vs. the Surf Lodge, now someone's brought Page Six into this. The gloves are off.
Today's NY Post had a sassy little item about the "everyone hates the Montauk Surf Lodge" situation that's been a-brewin':
Someone made up a bumper sticker reading, "Mistake by the lake! Dodge the Lodge!" And some of the partners have been called choice words and even been re fused service at local eateries and bars. Brazilian co-owner Jayma Cardosa, known for her temper ament, has been standing up to the bullies by threatening to keep the place open year-round.
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Round 1 of The People of Montauk vs. The Surf Lodge
It's the classic case of David and Goliath, reincarnated in the town of Montauk and The Surf Lodge. An article in this weekend's New York Times details how the "proudly low-key" town where "middle-class families could afford hotel rooms," is fighting the Manhattanization of its streets and shores. And it's almost as nasty as Christie Brinkley's divorce case.
Every chance it gets, Montauk has attempted to knock The Surf Lodge down a notch, the Times says, issuing a violation for putting up an outdoor movie screen without a permit, putting its hair salon and clothing boutique on notice for not being allowed under its building permit and erecting no-parking signs in the area.
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Checking in on The Surf Lodge :: Guest Reviews Are In
The Surf Lodge in Montauk has been open for just under a month now and surprisingly, has received little fanfare in the press, save the occasional celebrity sighting. (Molly Sims showed up an hour late for her reservation and had to wait for a table, says the New York Post!)
And so we turned to the truly opinionated for help: Commenters, natch. Over at TripAdvisor's forums, one poster said the hotel "looks like something you would see in the Caribbean" with a "happening outside deck and restaurant," but the commenters over at Gridskipper were less fawning.
Most seemed offended by the hotel's claims of being influenced by East End surfing culture, i.e. "I don't know one surfer who would go to this place," while another commenter alleged food poisoning and lousy service. Sam Talbot say it isn't so!
So either the rest of the world doesn't care as much about the Hamptons as New Yorkers do or maybe it's just that there isn't that much good stuff to say about the place. We're hoping one of you dear readers out there can set the record straight on this, since it seems like such a lovely place, but one more account of food poisoning and you can officially consider our reservation cancelled, Sam Talbot and his good looks be damned.
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Why It's So Hard to Get a Reservation at The Surf Lodge in Montauk
This morning we noticed a recent comment on one of our stories about the new Hamptons hotel hotspot, The Surf Lodge from HotelChatter member NoVacancy.
NoVacancy was peeved, to say the least, that they could not get a hold of anyone at Surf Lodge to make a reservation. Here's the frustrating account:
At the time of this posting, I have emailed the Surf Lodge 3 times inquiring about rates and availability with not one single reply. They have recently removed the email addresses from their website.
I have also called (no exaggeration) 12 times to only receive a busy signal or no answer.
They said the hotel is "beachy" and "laid back" but this is ridiculous! This might have been acceptable in the 80's club scene to create a heightened sense of exclusivity, but it most certainly is not today.
We often forget that we are in the hospitality business not Cain Nightclub. Here's an idea... Service your customers!
Uh oh. We feared that this serene little Hamptons spot was turning into another nightclub with rooms attached, at least as far as service goes. Thus we set out to get an official answer from the hotel about reserving a room.
Keep reading for the Surf Lodge's Official Response
Tags: Celebrity Scoop / Hotel Openings / Hotel Parties / Sean MacPherson / Jamie Mulholland / → All Tags
The Surf Lodge Opening Draws in Celebs and Hoteliers Alike
The Surf Lodge had its opening weekend this past Memorial Day and Gridskipper, fresh from Nick Denton's fireplace ashes and now in a new home on the Curbed mantle, has the full reveal of the hotel.
The place looks very surf-inspired, beachy and laid-back, judging from the Gskip snaps. However, is any place in the Hamptons truly laid back? The opening weekend for the Surf Lodge saw a serious showing of New York's celebrity and hospitality elite.
For example, spotted in the crowd were model Karolina Kurkova, actors Jesse L. Martin and Aida Turturro, fashion designers Cynthia Rowley and Rogan Gregory (side note: was anyone wearing his Target bathing suits?) and a big surprise to us: hotelier Sean MacPherson, nightclub owner Serge Becker and Ben Pundole who runs the nightlife for Morgans Hotel Group.
Ok considering that Surf Lodge co-owner Jamie Mulholland is also the man behind the Cain nightclubs, maybe that last group isn't so surprising. And let's not forget Sean Mac's surfing obsession for which he obtained Mexican citizenship.
Also, it pays to own a hotel. Julian Marley was the music headliner for the opening and sang "Happy Birthday" to Mulholland. The Surf Lodge is sold out this weekend but try your luck for the next.
[Photo: Gridksipper]
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The Surf Lodge Website Gets Running Just in Time for Opening Weekend
[UPDATE: Rooms are sold out for this weekend and next. Sorry!]
The Surf Lodge has gotten their website up and running just days before the opening weekend. The newest hotel in the Hamptons is attempting to set a laid-back vibe for its visitors. Found on the website:
The location is key and the environment is truly "Montauk";flip-flops, vintage Land Rovers, surfboards on the roof, a lakeside bonfire, all set to a soundtrack of Bob Marley to the Rolling Stones, but with an international taste level and an underlying energy.
Omg. Can't you just see Nate Archibald hanging out there right now?
There's still quite a bit of content that needs to be added to the website like a photo gallery of the rooms and the public spaces--remember this hotel will have a restaurant from Top Chef contestant Sam Talbot as well as a hair salon, a retail store and a performance venue.
While rooms are estimated to cost about $300 a night, reservations are only taken by email for now. You can also call 631.238.5190 to book.
Tags: Hotel Openings / Hotel News / MCM Hospitality / Lodge Hotels / Hamptons Hotels / → All Tags
Snapshot :: The Surf Lodge in Montauk
Just last week we told you about The Surf Lodge from the nightlife group, MCM Hospitality, which is behind the popular nightclubs CAIN.
The 32-room hotel is located a half-mile from the beach on Fort Pond in Montauk and will have its opening day over Memorial Day weekend. And the hotel is much more than just a chill spot on the beach.
A restaurant from Top Chef contestant Sam Talbot is planned as is an outdoor bar and live performance area, boutique shop and even a hair salon.
Here's a glimpse at what the beach-themed rooms will look like. Also, a PR rep for the hotel lets us know the place will have free WiFi throughout, "including from the hammock on your private deck overlooking the water." We like the sound of that!
Another picture after the jump.
Tags: Hotel Openings / Hotel News / MCM Hospitality / Lodge Hotels / Sam Talbot / Hotel Restaurants / Hamptons Hotels / → All Tags
The Hamptons Gets a New Hotel :: The Surf Lodge
Word to all you would-be Hamptonites. If you don't have a share and you don't want to brave the dark hotel secret of Andre Balazs, there's another option for you.
From the peeps who brought you the CAIN nightclub brand comes The Surf Lodge, which will open over Memorial Day weekend on the farthest point of Long Island in Montauk.
The 32-room hotel is located a half-mile from the beach on Fort Pond.
Rooms and public areas at the Surf Lodge will have a subtle surf theme running through them: white-washed walls, sun bleached pine flooring, outsized photos and artwork from surfers, surf lovers and all things beach.
All rooms with have lake views and 12 of them will have private courtyards and hot tubs, which is like ubiquitous Hamptons make-out setting. According to the press release, amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and the vague "more" which we hope is PR-speak for some booze in the mini-bar.
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