Looking for a place to spend a romantic weekend close to the beach. Willing to pay good money for the right place. The trick is that I don't have a car since I live in the city. Renting a car would be a simple option but driving out of Manhattan on a Friday night is a real pain. Any suggestions for a lovely but carless weekend?

When?
You will have better luck in late September, and it is still beautiful out there. We like to go to Burcliff by the Sea , where they have fireplaces in their cottages.
If you want more of a good hotel atmosphere, I would suggest Guerneys Inn.
Have fun!

Have you considered renting a car once you get out onto the Island? I agree that driving out of the city on Friday evening is a nightmare but why don't you take the train out to say Hempstead and grab a taxi to a car rental agency. Doing it this way will give you the freedom to move around at will but avoid having to drive in and out of Manhattan.

You need a car once you get out to the Hamptons -- even if you stay in a village, you still need a car to get to the beach etc. So you have 2 options: rent a car in the city and fight traffic, or take a train/bus out and then rent.

I've gotten to East Hampton every way possible -- LIRR, Jitney, rental car, friend's car, camel, space shuttle. The most convenient is renting a car in Manhattan and just dealing with the traffic. Yes, it can be bad, but that's the price you pay.

Check out www.ihamptons.com for hotel suggestions.

Good Luck!

we like to stay at the panoramic in montauk but you can take the train into amagansett or montauk.all of the room overlook the ocean,ask for a suite as they are not that expensive.You will have to take a cab from either train station but is right next to Gurney that has great resturant and spa facilities.I would still rec. renting a car as this will give you the option of exploring montauk and the hamptons.If you live in NY a little traffic should not stop you from having fun.
enjoy

Have you thought of the North Fork of Long Island? It is much quieter and there are vineyards for wine tasting. The Greenporter is a new hotel out there, I know nothing about it looks nice from the outside.

How about the Fire Island Hotel? You can take the train to Bay Shore and a cab to the ferry. As for close to the beach -- well, it's about 25 yards.