Montauk, NY Hotels - Why are they so run down?

[mefordis]

For disers who go to Montauk, I'd like to get your take on why the hotels there are so run down? I know an entire group of them are owned by the same company so they probably don't have to do any updating because there is no competition, but geez. The prices are outrageous for what you get (300 up to 1000 depending on the type of room you get).

I guess it's location location location, huh? You are paying to be on the beach.

We've stayed at the Driftwood, Seacrest, Windjammer, a few others. I'd love to have a W hotel or something like that out there. Ahhh, that would be nice!

Any recommendations on hotels in Montauk, on the beach?

 

[Tiggeroo]

I've never been to Montauk but live in Ocean City, NJ and vacation alot in the OBX. My experience is hotels in shore towns have little reason to fix themselves up. People will stay there no matter what. In these two towns the better solution is to stay in a rental home. Homeowners don't want their investment to deteriorate so they're more inclined to keep them up. Even some of these can get a little rough. But thanks to the internet you can see pics of all the rooms inside and know. Also if you are even staying 3 days the weekly cost of a rental home or condo can be less.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

We go every summer. Usually stay at Montauk Yacht Club. We have stayed at Montauk Manor, Wavecrest, Ocean Resort Inn (really like that one!). I hear ya about wanting a more upscale resort/hotel but what you describe is all part of Montauks charm. The Yacht Club is really nice and specials can be found.

I live a short distance away from Montauk but always feel like we are away from The Island when staying in Montauk. I just LOVE it.

 

[mefordis]

We go every summer. Usually stay at Montauk Yacht Club. We have stayed at Montauk Manor, Wavecrest, Ocean Resort Inn (really like that one!). I hear ya about wanting a more upscale resort/hotel but what you describe is all part of Montauks charm. The Yacht Club is really nice and specials can be found.

I live a short distance away from Montauk but always feel like we are away from The Island when staying in Montauk. I just LOVE it.

Thanks so much for the advice! (and others for their input!) Can you get beach front rooms at the Yacht Club? Do they have little perks like a private grill on the patio? (I liked the Driftwood because they had both, but the room was run down).

Also, since you are knowledgable, for restaurants we like Gossmans, heard Harvest is good but have yet to try it, and of course Lunch. Can you recommend others?

There is this roadside bar/restaurant across the street from the Driftwood that gets PACKED at night. Ever see it? The food is pretty good. We have a 3 year old otherwise my husband and I would be headed there every night!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Montauk Yacht Club is located at the marina so no real ocean front rooms. They do have some waterfront rooms that face lake montauk (very nice). We find the rooms very spacious. Close drive to the beaches. No bbq on balconies that I recall.

We really like to have breakfast a few times at Johns Pancake House. So good!

Harvest on the Pond is amazing and one of all time favorite restaurants anywhere. We have brought the kids and request outside terrace dining. Portions are huge and menu is fantastic!
http://www.harvest2000.com/hfp/

Star Island Yacht Club has a cafe that we like to visit for lunch. Its so much fun to see the fishing boats come in and check out their catches of the day! Good casual food.

Gosman's for lunch is fun and so are the shops. I always get my lobster roll there.
http://www.gosmans.com/

Shagwong is another seafood place we always eat at, great service and friendly people! really good food too. Pretty reasonable.
http://www.shagwong.com/

Pizza Village has good pizza. Great mussels!

Lenny's on the Dock is another all time favorite, for casual FUN dining with great friendly people!
They have a kids menu. We eat here a lot. Catch it around 4P and watch all the Tuna and shark come off the boats.
http://www.hamptonsweb.com/lennys/

Salivars for breakfast is great. look for one of the largest great whites ever caught on the wall. Really casual.

Manucci's is on our list to try, gets good reviews.
http://www.manuccis.com/



Anything else you can think of just ask! I cant wait to get back.

 

[JoyG]

We've stayed at the Atlantic Terrace in Montauk.

I loved the location. It was right on the beach and within walking distance of town.

Ask for a renovated room. The first time we didn't have a renovated room and it wasn't so great. The second time we stayed there in a second story renovated room and it was much better. Still not the kind of quality I would expect at Disney even in a value, but an enjoyable vacation overall.

I find that as location gets better (i.e. right on the water), owners can skimp on quality and still charge outrageous rates.

 

[ziggystardust]

My sister was planning her wedding out there last year so we did a lot of hotel searching as everyone would be traveling there. A LOT of them were run down. I did love the Montauk Yacht club and there were a few others that I was more than ready to stay at.

There is something to be said about not have mass chains out there. It still has that mom and pop feel to it. The town is the same way - kind of run down

 

[Fan2CSkr]

We stayed at Atlantic terrace when it first opened and it was great but they let it slip really bad over the years. Has it been renovated recently? Thanks!

ziggystardust I just love that Mom and Pop feel. I think I would hate it if Montauk changed or modernized at all, I can get that anywhere.

 

[JoyG]

We stayed at Atlantic terrace when it first opened and it was great but they let it slip really bad over the years. Has it been renovated recently? Thanks!
.

Two years ago I stayed there and they were in the process of renovating all the rooms. They were doing a few at a time. I don't know if they've completed the whole hotel yet.