Hotels in Montauk

Montauk Introduction

Jutting out into the Atlantic swells on the far-flung tip of Long Island, this breezy town of flickering lighthouses and hearty New York oyster shacks is beloved of fishermen and walkers in search of a more rugged version of the Hamptons. But there's another crowd here too: the surfers. These guys have been heading for The End – as Montauk's affectionately known – to ride the rollers of Ditch Plains for decades, bringing cool cafés and seaside drinking dives in their wake.

Hotels in Montauk

The pièce de résistance of Montauk's hotel line-up has to be the beachside residences that fringe the southern shore of Long Island. These pretty rows of blue-and-white painted timber cabanas have front row seats over the Atlantic waves and lively South Edison Beach. They offer sun loungers, private barbecue grills and verandas that spill directly onto the sands. A little further back from the beach, you can find stylish hotels with private pools in the gardens, not to mention a series of stripped-down budget digs with simple rooms and walking access to the surfing mecca of Ditch Plains.

Where to stay

Head straight for the salt-washed shoreline drive of South Emerson Avenue to bed down with one foot in the sand. The lodges here are made up of countless sea-facing villas and suites, and you can hear the crashing waves from your whitewashed lounges and nautical-themed bedrooms. A little to the east, there's a clutch of more affordable guesthouses lining Old Montauk Highway. These pretty lodges boast some of the best Montauk hotel rates, offering simple, comfy rooms, and the occasional pool-dotted garden. And on the northern shore there are bargain motels overlooking Lake Montauk and the sea.

Things to see

It's no secret that life in Montauk is all about the ocean. Most travellers will make a beeline straight for the wealth of beaches that line the southern shore. There's sun-kissed South Edison Beach right along the edge of the town, which comes alive with sunbathers and swimmers in the summer. Then there's the more secluded reaches of Hither Hills State Park, and the cliff-backed rollers of Ditch Plains Beach – where the surfers go. Walking trips along the headland to see the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse are another great way to experience the wild beauties of this far-flung tip of Long Island. And then there's the fishing scene, which is particularly active here. Consider renting a private charter from the docks on Lake Montauk, and head out to catch your own seabass around Block Island.

How to get to Montauk

The duo of airports in New York City are the best way to arrive in Montauk from the air. You can land at either JFK or LaGuardia in Queens, and reach the town via light rail, car or dedicated shuttle bus. To get in by road, you can follow the scenic route of the Sunrise Highway all the way to the start of the Montauk Highway. There's also the Long Island Railroad, which runs regularly between Manhattan's Penn Station and Montauk central.