Described on its website as "Ocean front luxury in Manhattan's back yard," the Allegria Hotel markets itself as a sophisticated destination to rival the Hamptons; its location, under 30 minutes from JFK airport, is a bonus. The Allegria hotel is in Long Beach, so has access to surfing and golf courses, including the "championship calibre" Lido Golf Club, and is 15 minutes from Jones Beach State Park by car. If you're a fan of fine food, however; Todd Jacob, well-regarded for its popular Atlantica seafood menu, takes reservations.
If you're less concerned about your bank balance than having a good time, the Sunset Beach Hotel on Shelter Island offers good beaches and is just a short ferry ride from Greenport. The Sunset Beach Hotel boasts 20 rooms and each come with a private sundeck and, more importantly for the ocean lovers, a sea view. The hotel has its own restaurant, which it describes as a "lively beach-side restaurant and bar" and features French classics such as moulés frites, salade niçoise and bouillabaisse.
It's rare that a motel markets itself on its sunsets, but the Southold Beach Motel has an entire page on its website devoted to a gallery of undeniably beautiful sunsets, designed to match the fantasies of frantic New Yorkers desperate to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and explore what North Fork has to offer. Set squarely in Long Island wine country, this motel is within reach of vineyards, water sports facilities and restaurants. Rooms come with air conditioning, cable TV and the waterfront rooms have sea views.
Sag Harbour Inn overlooks the harbor in the Hamptons, has four deluxe, spacious hotel suites with their own terraces or balconies, and is decorated with what the website describes as "18th century reproduction furniture." Visitors to Sag Harbour Inn have their choice of golf courses, including Sag Harbour Golf Club, and wineries such as the Channing Daughter's winery. Culture buffs enjoy the ever-popular Bay Street Theatre with its combination of music, movies and live theatre performances.
