Anybody have any ideas about the following:
Wainscott Motel and Cottages
Sag Harbor Inn
Windjammer Inn, Montauk
Bassett House Inn, East Hampton
We are arriving into JFK at 5:00pm and looking for a nice place to stay the first night hopefully in the Hamptons. Mapquest says it's about 100 miles and 2 hours out to that area from JFK. After flying all day that does not sound like too much fun. Any suggestions appreciated.

When are you traveling? If it is "in season" that is June-August and a Friday...lots of luck. The traffic from JFK will be awful. Any other time you will be ok and arrive in about 2 hours. Do not plan to go as far as Montauk, that will add another 30 minutes. Bassett House is the nicest of your list, Sag Harbor is the closest. None are on the beach so ask about beach passes with your reservations. But you can get a one day beach pass for about $20. The Hamptons are nice.

Well, it depends on when you're coming. If its a Friday night in summer the drive to Montauk is proably closer to 3/4 hours than 2 - since thousands will be trying to do exactly the same thing. If another day of the week or off season you'll have a better chance - but 5pm is not the best time to head out onto the Island.

Are you asking for a hotel that's closer? the ones by the airport are dreadful and Nassau county has few except standard chain hotels for business travelers. (The Garden City hotel is supposed to be posh - I've eaten there but never stayed there - and is probably less than an hour from the airport at that time.) I would just bite the bullet and head directly to the Hamptons.

Have not stayed at any of those hotels - but be aware that Montauk is probably another half hour past Sag Harbor - if that's your deciding factor.

Thank you for your quick replies!
We'll be doing the drive from JFK on a Sunday evening, early April.

I don't want to seem rude but the Hamptons in early April doesn't seem like an obvious choice. Don't misunderstand me, I love that area off season - and think there's plenty to do - wineries, sag harbor historical area etc - it's just that most people go there for the beach.

You should plan to see the north fork as well as the south shore of LI. The wineries are fun. I agree, I wouldn't think of the East End as a travel destination this time of year.

If you are going in April saty in Sag Harbor,the American hotel and Sagg Harbor inn are nice.there are othere that overlook the water.Check out easthampton and montauk chamber.com for more listings.If you stay in Sag Harbor
eat at the american hotel,have drinks at B Smiths.From Sag Harbor you can drive to Easthampton, Montauk for the day,the horsebackriding is great,golf,lighthouse,gosmans dock,also
if you have time drive to greenport and check out the wineries and town,that is on the north fork but the drive is about 40 minutes.If you stay in Montauk stay at Panoramic.It is very close to Easthampton and all of the rooms have an oceanview,I would not suggest the windjammer or wainscott motel.
If you are staying for awhile then you may want to stay one night at the Garden City Hotel.They have a great resturant,bar and dance club.they are all seperate.This hotel is very upscale and romantic.It is an easy drive in the morning after 10:00 Am to the Hamptons
Have Fun.