Hi folks. I'd love your suggestions and expertise. My husband and I are planning a weekend getaway -- without the kids, for a change -- to celebrate our anniversary in March. We're going to drop the kids off at grandma's house on Long Island, so we thought two nights in the Hamptons may be nice.

We're looking for a luxurious hotel -- somewhere to sleep late and eat well. I've never been to the Hamptons off-season and was hoping to get hotel suggestions and also advice about what the area is like in March. Quiet is fine; vacant and depressing is not.

Also looking for spa suggestions! (From what I hear, Gurney's is in desperate need of a rehab.)

Many thanks!

There is more than one Hampton? Where is this?

Do you want to be on the ocean? If so, you're basically limited to the motels/hotels in the Montauk area.

If a village interests you, check out The Baker House in East.

www.bakerhouse1650.com

I've researched the heck out of teh Hamptons, and McLaurie on this forum is very knowledgable about the Hamptons. I would suggest Baker House, 1770 House or the Mill House Inn. They all have websites so you can check out the inns and specific rooms.

You'll need to pick carefully.

March could be an early spring with a nice brisk walk on a deserted beach (yes, deserted). Or you could be in the middle of a winter storm.

Many restaurants close for the season and museums and shops operate on shorter hours than in the summer.

Yes, it's likely to be empty- unless you get a very unusually warm weekend. (The end of April is a much better time. And many places open for the season only the week or two before Memorial Day.)

And there are few hotels - mostly inn type places. If you're thinking of a large luxurious hotel with a spa and room service etc - the Hamptons really isn't the place for you.

Thanks for your responses so far, everyone.

I'm wondering if anyone has other suggestions for us besides the Hamptons. The key is that we want to be w/in 2-hrs driving distance from Huntington, LI (near the border of nassau and suffolk).

We're interested in luxury, spa, relaxation, pampering. Thanks so much!!!

What about turning around and driving into Manhattan, staying at a luxury hotel and splurging that way? hotel prices in march aren't bad - check out quikbook - they have the Essex House for around $300. per night.

March is generally a cruel month in the Hamptons imo. It can be nice and it can also be really dreary depending on weather. If you're happy with each other's company and Baker House is open and not outrageously expensive, it's a beautiful place. I'd wonder whether the spa would be open and would find out before booking if that's a big deal for you. On a weekend most restaurants should be open, the movie theaters are open. There are also day spas like Ananas in Southampton, Naturopathica in East Hampton http://www.southforkguide.com/SouthFork_spas.cfm

The only other option I know of within 2 hrs. of Huntington on LI would be the North Fork and I'm not sure if there's much more activity there. Jedediah Hawkins is a lovely inn & restaurant but no spa. North Fork Table and Inn is also supposed to be nice, but again no spa. I suppose you could also get to Ct. within 2 hrs. either over the bridge or by ferry from Port Jefferson.

I agree, March is a tough month out east.

Maybe Mystic? I stayed here years ago and it was great:

http://www.innatmystic.com/inn/publish/

Thanks so much, everyone, for your expertise.

Another question (if you don't mind!): If we were to choose between the Baker House and the 1770 House, which one should we choose?

Many thanks, again.