My Topic Title Child-friendly hotel, Long Island NY
 

We are looking for a kid-friendly hotel with beach and pool on Long Island NY for mid-September. The children are 4 and 1, so a nearby park would be nice. We are planning on a 2 night weekend stay. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as we live on the West Coast and not familiar with the area. Thanks,

Long Island didn't get its name cause it is a small area :)

Can you be more specific as to where on LI? Are you going there for a particular reason, like an event or something so that can be used as a starting point for location.

What price range? Chain motel or something more upscale?

By mid September, the water could be cold at beach and a many hotels close their outdoor pool on Labor Day.

What draws you to LI if it isn't for a particular reason??

The Easterner Motel in SouthHampton?
The Glen Cove Mansion?

Yes, where on Long Island?

For near-beach you'll need to book NOW for a mid-September weekend.

Thank you. We are looking for a weekend or a two night early in the week, beach get-away for our son and young family who moved to Brooklyn last summer. They like the beach so we thought Long Island is easy to get to. Hoping for a small hotel with a beach. Any other suggestions within a 3 hour drive from Brooklyn? The swimming pools are closed after Labor Day? I believe it is still warm there in September.

Actually the ocean is warmer in September than it is earlier in the year - but while beaches are good for little ones to play in the sand going into the north atlantic surf is not for kids of that age unless in parents arms.

Long Island sound is much calmer - hardly any waves at all - but many beaches are pebbles versus sand.

So we need an idea of what you are looking for.

And since Long Island is - 110 miles to be exact - we need to know if you are trying to get to the resorts at the end or?

If you want a motel or condo right on the water your choices are very limited since much of the coast is either state parks, town parks (residents only) or mansions of the incredibly rich and famous.

There are a couple of condo colonies in Amangansett that have pools and are on the ocean. Usually they want you to rent by the week - but in Sept might go for a weekend rental. But this area is a 2 to 3 hour drive from the airport - and Fridays and sunday evenings the traffic is truly horrific (since you are driving through massive suburban areas before getting to the resorts).

If you are looking for a place with a children's/infant's pool - not sure what is available - since this is an area with massive influx of singles - as well as some families.

Several towns in the are have either small parks or town greens with ponds (and water fowl) and there are other activities (aquarium, kiddie zoo, Montauk fishing docks - and fish fresh off the boats).

This is helpful. Assumed there would be lots of choices with so much shoreline. I don't need an infant pool, but a pool would be important for my 4 year-old grand daughter. Maybe I should focus on the best, easy-access beaches that we can drive to from our condo or hotel. Basically, we want to arrange a little trip for our son and family to give them a break from the city while we are there visiting. I am open to other suggestions but thought Long Island would afford the most possibilities.

How far do they want to be from the City? Or is that not an issue?

The resorts on the east end - either north or south fork are a least 3 hours from the city - as much as 5 if traffic is bad.

Ans assume they will rent a car - getting around LI is impossible without one.

Laurie most of the Long Island shoreline is congested suburbia not get away places.

What about the New Jersey shore? I don't know actual driving times, but theoretically Ocean City NJ for instance would be within your three hour driving time, and a lot of stuff on the boardwalk stays open on weekends past Labor Day. It's definitely a nice relaxing vibe.

Maybe the Westport Inn in Connecticut? They have an indoor pool and are very close to a State Beach Park. You could even take the train there which I'm sure the kids would love.

I will check on driving times from Brooklyn to Ocean City and also the Westport Inn in Connecticut. They have a car and we will rent one so will take roads verses mass transit. Two good tips! Thanks.

There are lots of beach towns at the New Jersey shore. Some are very relaxing and even quaint. You can probably find a motel with pool open in early September.

If you are only looking for a day trip then you could also visit one of the LI beaches in NYC, either Brooklyn or Queens. In Brooklyn you could visit Coney Island, Brighton Beach, and visit the NY Aquarium, or Manhattan Beach Park. In Queens, some place like Jones beach would be easy to get to.

Same sand, same water as the rest of LI, with a lot shorter drive, or even public transportation.

WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?

That will help with recommendations . . .

We have already visited Coney Island, the Bronx Zoo, Aquarium and a few day trip attractions. But I was thinking of an overnight, just to see a different area with a beach. Someone suggested the Jersey Shore. The drive doesn't look too bad but there are hundreds of towns to choose from. So if anyone has a recommendation for a hotel near a beach in an interesting town that would be a help. Also a place with a nice park/playground. The children are 4 and 1. I am researching all your suggestions.

I'm not familiar with the North Jersey shore, but Ocean City has parks and playgrounds in addition to the boardwalk and also has a cute little "downtown" with some nice shops. We usually stay in a house there, but Port-o-Call Hotel is a classic (my nana always stayed there!) that is right on the boardwalk which, of course, is right on the beach. http://www.portocallhotel.com/ It gets pretty good reviews, but again I haven't stayed there myself. (There are lots of condo/house rentals available.)

Maybe you'll find some ideas here:
http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/11...60215#!1-intro

Lee Ann

You have mentioned Ocean City before so will seriously look into it. Sounds like the ideal place. Thanks.

A co-worker stayed at the Water's Edge in Westbrook Connecticut with her daughter, son in law and one year old grandchild last summer. She and her family liked it. It is on Long Island sound and there is also a pool. its not that far from NYC.