Jill MedingerThe Roundtree offers privacy and relaxation in the Hamptons
Low-key luxury in the Hamptons is increasingly rare, which is what makes The Roundtree, a two-and-a-half-hour-drive from New York City, such an extraordinary find. Located in the small hamlet of Amagansett (in between East Hampton and Montauk), the 13 room property is set on two beautifully landscaped acres and features a collection of renovated cottages and houses. The setting exudes classic Hamptons charm: think shingle-style exteriors, hydrangea-lined walkways and design references to Amagansett’s farm-steading legacy (this property itself was once a working farm).
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Everything is clustered around the sprawling, manicured Great Lawn, tricked out with white umbrellas and cushy sun loungers, lawn games (cornhole, anyone?) and a cozy fire pit where guests gather for night caps and stargazing. Perhaps most importantly, it allows guests to feel like Amagansett residents (if only for a night, a week, however long their stay).
Why Amagansett? While East Hampton and Southampton are bustling towns, Amagansett’s small main street is quaint and only has a handful of shops and restaurants. (For reference, the population of next door East Hampton is nearly 29,000 while Amagansett under 1,000.) One can meander down the street to local favorite Amber Waves, part-farm -market and -café, have a meal at Il Buco al Mare, and check out the line-up at old-school music venue Talkhouse. The Roundtree’s resident Experiences Director makes the most of the area by creating special excursions for guests, like private beach bonfires. The fall is also an insider favorite – traffic and crowds are gone, the farmstands are in full force will fall’s bounty (pumpkins, roasted corn, greens, apples and cider donuts…), beaches are empty for walks or sunny day picnics, and restaurants have plenty of reservations. The Hamptons Film Festival is a buzzy fall tradition, as well as Montauk’s Fall Fest with its clam chowder contest and local food trucks.
For such an elegantly petite place, the Roundtree has a surprising variety of accommodation options, including eight rooms and suites (housed in a restored, 100-year-old barn), five freestanding cottages and two multi-bedroom houses. The Beach House, a five-minute drive from the property, is ultra-private and just minutes on foot from the beach. Everyone from solo travelers and couples to families and groups of friends will be happy here. The fact that each room has its own entrance further enhances an ambience of privacy. Rates start at $495 in the slower season.
Interiors look like they have sprung from the curated pages of a stylish magazine, showcasing understated refinement with a natural color palette and sleek furnishings. Details like the wide-plank hardwood floors harken back to the property’s heritage but the thoughtfully curated in-room amenities are decidedly contemporary, including Grown Alchemist bath products, Frette linens and Matouk terry, Nespresso machines and complimentary minibars stocked with local goodies, like Tom’s Perfect 10 granola and South Fork Bakery brownies.
The Roundtree is a place that cherishes serenity over a scene, and many guests choose to relax by their cottage or on the Great Lawn. A peacefully congenial vibe is further enhanced by such amenities as complimentary pastries and cookies, and an ice cream happy hour that delights both young and older children. In the summer, guests are given beach passes to gorgeous Amagansett Beach, or they’re shuttled by a dedicated Beach Buggy. In the fall and winter, the experience manager can arrange a private tour of LongHouse Reserve, hikes in Montauk’s walking dunes, a visit to Jackson Pollock’s East Hampton home and studio…
Checking in at this boutique hotel feels like staying with that effortlessly stylish friend who knows all the seasonal hot spots but happens to prefer the simple pleasures: a serene afternoon reading in the shade of a maple; a meandering bike ride ending at a private beach; a late-afternoon in-room massage followed by a glass of rose from the local Wölffer Estate Vineyard; and ending the evening by a flickering fire pit, with S’mores and stargazing.
Did You Know: For little guests, The Roundtree will arrange a Lemonade Stand on Main Street, including providing all the ingredients for a refreshing drink to be sold to passersby. Proceed are donated to the Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of the Hamptons. And speaking of animals, The Roundtree is also pet-friendly, and guests are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends.
Top Accommodation: Located a few miles from The Roundtree and minutes from Amagansett Beach, the Beach House is the largest accommodation here, with four bedrooms and an incredible open-floorplan layout that makes it a favorite for families and groups of friends. (Heads-up for theater aficionado: this is the former home of Tony-winning playwright Neil Simon, built in the 1960s by renowned East Hampton architect Alfred Scheffer). There’s a full kitchen, a gas fireplace, a dining area and living room, as well as a sizeable backyard for BBQs and (key to Hamptons happiness) an outdoor shower.
Special Events: The Roundtree can host weddings and other celebrations for up to 250 guests. A take-over of the property is required during this time.