Living in North Jersey means we’re all spoiled for choices when it comes to weekend getaways, from the Adirondack mountains to the Jersey Shore. For travelers who are headed ‘out east’ to The Hamptons, the Southampton Inn is a cozy home base for a visit, for both two and four-legged guests. Situated steps away from the main shopping streets in Southampton and just a short bike ride away from Coopers Beach, Southampton Inn is in the heart of it all. And, what makes the 90-guest room hotel more intriguing is that there are enough amenities on site to keep families, and friends. and children entertained. Read on to learn more about Southampton Inn.
All About The Inn
The Southampton Inn, located at 91 Hill Street, has been a staple of Southampton, New York, ever since it was built in 1973. In the summer of 2018, the hotel opened its now award-winning restaurant Claude’s. The inn itself sits on five acres of land — that are well manicured and filled with gorgeous plants and flowers, we must add. Amenities include a courtyard attached to Claude’s, space outdoors for relaxing on the lawn chairs or having a picnic, croquet, a tennis court, a game room for kids, bike rentals, and a 50-foot heated outdoor pool.
There are 90 charming guest rooms, many of which have been recently updated. Apart from the cozy vibe — thank gosh for air conditioning — each room now has Tempur-Pedic mattresses, a Keurig coffee machine, a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
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The pet-friendly hotel also welcomes guests that aren’t staying at the hotel — not only at Claude’s but also at any of the additional meeting rooms. Southampton Inn hosts tons of weddings and birthday parties all year round. They also host bridal showers, baby showers, private brunches, business meetings, and corporate events among other special occasions.
(Photo credit: Courtesy of Southampton Inn)
Keeping It Fresh
Owner Dede Gotthelf spoke to The Hoboken Girl about her love for the hotel since jumping in as the owner 25 years ago. She spilled details of how each summer gets better and better: “We buy new furniture all the time. These are all new Adirondack [chairs], and we have new gliders coming in. Every year we redo carpeting. We put in blackout shades for the first time, in addition to the two-inch wooden blinds. We try to make sure that every room is ready and welcoming to receive everybody.”
Dede also added that the menu at Claude’s was revamped and they’re now open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. “The menu this year, I think, is reflective of the mood that people are in. It’s wonderful, solid, mostly American food. It’s delicious. It’s well priced, it’s affordable, it’s beautifully served,” she said, “but our servers are wearing polos and khakis, so it’s informal and welcoming. That is the mission.”
(Photo credit: Courtesy of Southampton Inn)
The owner, who lives nearby in East Quogue, revealed to The Hoboken Girl that she’s currently waiting for approval from the historic village to expand in the parking lot across the street. She hopes to add additional suites and has an end goal of 40 — something that is unheard of for hotels in Suffolk County.
What’s Nearby
Guests who opt to take the Hampton Jitney or train from New York City will have no problem getting around Southampton by foot or bike (or the hotel’s shuttle service to the beach). The glamorous shopping streets, including Jobs Lane and Main Street, are within walking distance.
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There are also local art galleries, museums, parks, and nice restaurants nearby. Coopers Beach is also a little over a mile-and-a-half, which tends to be a quiet beach during the off-season. One of the fun features of Coopers is that there is an entire street leading up to the beach that has historic mansions that are, for sure, jaw-dropping.
Claude’s Restaurant inside Southampton Inn
(Photo credit: Southampton Inn’s Facebook)
If you’re a fan of Bravo’s Summer House, Southampton is home to the many restaurants and bars the cast frequently visits, such as Southampton Social Club, an upscale social bar; Blu Mar, a Mediterranean seafood restaurant; and Calissa, a Mykonos inspired Greek restaurant in Water Mill, as well as many hotspots in Montauk.
In Southampton, there is also 75 Main, which is home to the docuseries Serving the Hamptons; Union Burger Bar, a popular lunch spot serving all types of burgers; and Main Prospect, a fancy new restaurant with a speakeasy vibe that hosts weekly events like jazz night.
Check It Out
Like the Hamptons, Southampton Inn has its own fair share of celebrity sightings and CEOs, we’re told. Dede shared, “What’s not to love? For the 25 years that I’ve owned it, it’s just friendly, it’s welcoming, it’s meticulously clean, it’s superbly located, it reflects the history and the culture and the beauty and the activities of the very venerable and gorgeous village of Southampton.”
The owner advises prospective hotel guests to book sooner than later. She told HG, “People are starting to book at the end of the prior year. January and February, we already have maybe 25 to 30% of our rooms booked. And the groups and weddings, of course, are booked in advance. But we never say that there’s no room at the inn because a lot of times people will book 10 weekends, the best deal ever, and then they just decide that they are gonna go someplace else. So we always feel that you should call and see whether we have availability.”
^ Coopers Beach
Southampton Inn gets guests from all over, including Asia, Canada, Europe, South America, and even Australia. Dede lastly added, “Our staff in Claude’s is from South Africa, Argentina, and Canada this year. People sit at the pool and they meet one another. It’s the kind of place that’s so welcoming so you can come alone and you leave with friends if that’s what you want. And if you don’t, you sit on the lawn here, there’s nobody around and you have peace, quiet, and a good book.”
For more information on Southampton Inn, visit the website here.
