Eat, Drink, Sleep is a series by @HungryEditor offering insider tips on where to enjoy a tasty meal, quench your thirst, and rest your head in chic destinations around the globe.
A view of the Atlantic Ocean from Gurney's in Montauk.
Montauk might not be one’s first thought when planning a winter escape, but I’ve always loved the cozy idea of going to the East End during the winter à la Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. When Clementine, Kate Winslet’s character, whispers to Joel, Jim Carrey’s character, “meet me in Montauk,” that is probably one of the most iconic lines in the film—which is arguably one of Carrey’s best roles. There’s something so romantic and unencumbered about going to a place during its off-season.
To simplify your trip to Montauk in the winter, Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa is your one-stop destination complete with multiple dining options, Corso Coffee shop for quick grab-and-go options, a cocktail lounge, and a full suite of spa and wellness offerings. If rest and relaxation are on your agenda, the spa features a Finnish sauna, Roman bath, Russian steam room, Swiss shower, and an indoor pool that is fed with seawater from the Atlantic Ocean giving it the title of “the only pool of its kind in North America.”
Scarpetta Beach.
Where to Eat
Scarpetta Beach is the Hamptons outpost of the Meatpacking District Italian restaurant that received a three-star review in the New York Times and a ‘Best New Restaurant in America’ nomination in 2008 by the James Beard Foundation. For starters, the Crudo options and the Seared Diver Scallops are noteworthy. The pasta dishes, such as the classic Spaghetti or the Lobster Tagliolini Nero, are always good. But don’t skip out on the Akaushi Wagyu Strip if you enjoy a good steak.
Gurney’s winter season igloos overlook the ocean.
Where to Drink
Through the winter season, March 1st to be exact, Gurney’s has a Festive Igloo Pop-Up that is the perfect spot to grab drinks with friends and family in a heated environment. Each igloo has its own thematic design, from the Roaring 20's to cozy Après Ski to a Tropical Summer, and a slew of activities and specialty cocktails to match each unique setting. A selection of the seasonal cocktail offerings are the Strawberry Jungle Bird for the Tropical Summer igloo (Light Rum, Dark Rum, Campari, Strawberries, Pineapple, Lime), South Pole Hot Cocoa for the Winter Wonderland iglooo (Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, Corso Hot Chocolate, House Made Peppermint Mashmallow, Candy Cane Crumble), and The Daisy Buchanan for the Roaring 20’s igloo (Gin, Carpano Antica, Luxardo, Orange Bitters). Bonus that your $25/person entrance fee to the igloo is donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, so that you can give back while spending quality time with the ones you love.
The specialty cocktail in the Log Cabin Igloo is the Smoked Maple Old Fashioned. Each igloo has its ... [+]
Where to Sleep
Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa recently finished some major renovations. Back in 1926, the property was opened by Maude Gurney as a modest inn with private beach. Under new ownership in 2013, the property set out to do a multi-phase upgrade over the next several years. Now Gurney’s is the first resort in Montauk to be apart of Virtuoso’s luxury hotel portfolio. With about 150 rooms and as the name suggests a seawater spa, Gurney’s is a resort like no other in the Hamptons. It’s the only luxury resort on the East End with beach front access and the only one open all year-round. Off-season travel also means better deals on room rates, so now is the best time to book a one-bedroom, oceanfront suite for less than the summertime.
Superior one-bedroom suite on the oceanfront at Gurney's Montauk.
