Are you talking about the Hamptons or Montauk for this summer? If so, there are few hotels - quite a few upscale B&Bs in towns (many won;t take small kids) plus some motels. Or, depending on how long you're going for you might want to rent a condo at one of the beach colonies in Amagansett. this gives you immediate access to the beach (very unusual in the Hamptons), tennis and a pool.

You can see the Montauk lighthouse, aquarium in Riverhead, Montauk harbor with fishing boats, and usual kids stuff - mini golf etc.

If you mean a closer part of Long Island are you trying to include the beach or ?? (Much of the island is residential suburbs and office parks with chain motels, although there are a variety of things to see and do. Is the beach the center of your trip - or just a part of it?)

Als, knowing your budget will help, since LI in the summer is not inexpensive.

Perhaps the reason you're overwhelmed and confused is Long Island is over 100 miles long and most of it is suburban with not many upscale hotels. Long Island is not really one place but many many places with different feeling to each. The upscale hotels (Garden City hotel) tend to be used for weddings and other catering events. There are beautiful beaches but there are not very many hotels near them until you get to the east end of Long Island. From where are you coming and on what basis did you choose LI?

If you're looking for a quiet beach vacation near a kid friendly beach and are not on a tight budget, you might consider Shelter Island, inbetween the north and south forks. Sunset Beach is right on the beach. It's NOT a fancy place (circa '60's motel that's been updated) but it's very upscale with a good restaurant and sits on a very pretty beach. You can easily take the ferry over to Greenport on the North Fork or Sag Harbor on the south fork with access to the Hamptons.

Agreed - at least the first 50 miles of Long Island is primarily residential suburbs interspersed with lots of business parks and malls. You need to give up more info on what you're looking for, where you're coming from and how you're traveling (car is really necessary) for us to give you specific advice.

I know these of these rentals: http://www.propertyangels.com/

Don't know what happened to the OP - but without more info it's very difficult to make recos.
some of those properties look very nice - but I wouldn;t want beach front/floating dock with a 5 year old.

good point! I haven't stayed there (I just know the owner)...have an 8yr old and other family members who can't swim (!) so, not really even age relevant - I wouldn't want water front, personally, with non-swimmers in my group.

There's a Sheraton in Smithtown. And you can drive to one of the greatest beaches in the world-Jones Beach. Also water park and aquarium in Riverhead.

I also am looking for Long Island suggestions....would like a clean hotel, don't care when built, near the beach, condo is cool. have 2 girls 9&6 and 2 adults. Looking for some flavor to explore outside of malls, ....small stores galleries good food etc... ability to jump the train to the city....still recommend Shelter Island?