51 Best Hotels in Long Island, New York

Old elms and maples surround this charming white clapboard inn, home of The Palm restaurant, in the center of town. Each room is individually furnished with reproductions of 18th-century antiques. The gardens are delightful. Ask about off-season special spa and dining packages.

Art deco–style motifs dominate the lobby and rooms of this four-story hotel, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. The inn, opened in 1995, is in the center of Great Neck Plaza, surrounded by shops and restaurants. Rooms have large windows and desks, plush carpeting, and streamlined furnishings. Bathrooms have marble vanities; some have whirlpool tubs.

With some villas sleeping up to four guests, this is a great choice for families, and the fact that it's owned and run by two chefs is good news for foodies too, and everyone appreciates the sea views and proximity to the waterfront and beaches. Guest quarters are in seaside villas or the main house, which dates from 1857; some have sea views, and all are beautifully decorated and have private bathrooms. A covered veranda overlooks Shinnecock Bay, and ocean beaches are just minutes away across the Ponquogue Bridge. Stay midweek for for Food Truck Wednesday, sponsored by the on-site paddleboard company, with outdoor music, bar, and, of course, a food truck; the party happens rain or shine.

All rooms at this motel overlook Peconic Bay and its sandy beach, and its quiet spot right on the water allows endless opportunities for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding (fee), and fishing. The family-friendly apartments and suites, furnished in a contemporary style, are especially roomy, and some units have full kitchens. Its location makes it a great base for exploring the North Fork's wineries, farms, shopping, and dining. When booking this property, it's best to call, as prices drop when you book multiple nights.

A perfect base for exploring the North Fork's wine country, this boutique hotel occupies a grand 1863 Italianate building and provides luxurious accommodations, beautiful, peaceful surroundings, and impeccable service. Amid 22 acres of fragrant gardens and farmland, the former home of a local sea captain has been meticulously restored so that each guest room has a unique theme, and its dedication to honoring the local heritage earned it a New York State Historic Preservation Award. Without even leaving the building you can enjoy yoga classes, live music, formal farm-to-table dining, a casual "speakeasy," and countless opportunties for relaxation. For the ultimate splurge, go for the 800-square-foot Belvedere Suite, complete with cupola affording a 360-degree view of the property.

Hospitality is the hallmark of this charming shingle-covered colonial inn, where every bedroom has antique cast-iron beds and country pine furniture. Each shabby-chic room also seems to be filled with yard upon yard of fabric: generous floral table covers and drapes, white duvets, and quilted spreads. From here it's a 15-minute walk to Southampton and a mile to a public beach.

The sprawling, family-friendly "American castle" has views of the bay and myriad amenities and events. The Tudor-style Manor, built in 1927 as a luxury resort, is now a condominium, so each unit is decorated differently. Most units are bright and have contemporary furnishings; some have loft bedrooms with skylights, patios, or balconies. Jitneys take you to the beaches, and beach passes are available. Events such as a children's festival and murder-mystery weekend take place throughout the year. The restaurant, Tre Bella, offers traditional southern and northern Italian cuisine.

In business for eight decades, this resort on Star Island in Montauk Harbor, with a mini-replica of the Montauk Lighthouse, has a 232-slip marina, a private beach, various restaurants and lounges, and family activities. These include bonfires and movies on the lawn, fishing, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and surf camps and paddleboard lessons. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, and nautical design. Not every room has an ocean view, so if this is important to you, make sure you verify this when booking.

Hanging baskets of flowers and picnic tables on the deck invite you to relax and enjoy the charm of this in-town two-story inn with sea views, a half block from the ocean. Staff is welcoming and helpful. Some rooms have whirlpool baths and more than one bathroom, and all are well maintained and clean.

Affordable, comfortable accommodations and a Shinecock Bay beach right across the street have garnered a loyal band of repeat guests for this family-run motel, and rooms with kitchens, on-site pool, and playground make it a good family choice. Some rooms have Jacuzzi tubs, and all rooms have a small porch or balcony.

On arrival at this boutique hotel you are greeted by velvet ropes and a red carpet, because here everyone is a V.I.P. The hotel, with a main building and additional cottages and suites scattered around town, is about down-to-earth luxury and comforts like marshmallowy soft beds and fully-equipped kitchens. It's a hip scene without being "a scene." Perfect for family celebrations or a friends' weekend, many rooms can be configured to accommodate large parties—the presidential penthouse accomodates up to 10 people (reserve well in advance), and many outdoor seating areas include one bayside with barbecues and kayaks. Outdoor movies are screened.

The residents of Quogue so love this historic property that when is was about to close, they formed a cooperative to purchase and restore it to its former glory, adding designer chic and a range of health and fitness activities to its appeal. The tranquil complex in the village center consists of an 18th-century house, a 19th-century house right across the road, and two private cottages. With interiors by famed designer Alexa Hampton, it's a sophisticated and relaxed place to clear your mind and get in vacation mode, with complimentary bicycles, a fitness center, yoga and Pilates classes, a massage room, and a children's room.

Across from the marina and within walking distance of Main Street, this two-story hotel has simple but spacious rooms, each with a sitting area and French doors leading out to a patio or balcony for views over the harbor or the pool. The Simmons Beautyrest matresses are all fairly new, and although bedspreads are on the older side, they're spotless. All rooms have flat-screen TVs. The breakfast room and promenade deck have harbor views.

A landmark Tudor-style building in a quiet spot outside of town offers a peaceful retreat with a hip, lounge vibe. It's bungalow-like rooms are small but well-appointed with a beachy feel, and there are also cabana suites. Bamboo walkways lead to a large, heated pool surrounded by oversized sunbeds, and when a DJ is not spinning tunes poolside, there's always chill reggae or loungy music setting the tone. Grab a drink or a bite to eat at the poolside lounge or on-site restaurant. Their summer concert series attracts big names like Maxi Priest.

Here it's all about location—each room in this complex of motel-style buildings has a deck right on the 1,400-foot-long private beach. Interiors, although simple and in need of some updating, are clean and bright. The staff is friendly and accommodating. An outdoor pool, sport courts, and a small fitness room are all on-site.

With a shuttle to the beach, lots of on-site activities, and a quick walk to Southampton's shops and restaurants, this modern inn ticks a lot of boxes. Rooms have contemporary country furniture and fittings and the beds have down comforters and lots of pillows. Outside, Adirondack chairs are scattered throughout the expansive, formally landscaped grounds that include a patio courtyard, a large outdoor pool, and tennis courts. For a fee, seasonal residents and locals can get a membership to use the recreational faciltities here.

Not all motels have to be about 1950s kitsch, and rooms in this one have chunky, country-style furniture and accessories that work well with highly polished wood floors, floral drapes, crisp white window sheers, and lacy white bed linens. Formerly known as the Enclave Inn, this one-story motel and its tree-filled grounds are just minutes from the Hampton Jitney bus stop and a few miles from area beaches.

Built in 1880, this green-certified bed and breakfast is in a good, central location by the water, and just steps from Mitchell Park and the Main Street shops, restaurants, and museums. You can take the train from the city for a quick getaway, and would only need a car for exploring beyond Greenport. Breakfasts are copious, and include home-baked breads, free-range eggs, and treats such as German apple pancakes with raspberry coulis. Each generously appointed room has ensuite bathroom, a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. Ask about the Vine Time Wine Getaway special.

This is one of the few places you can go in Montauk if you are looking for a quiet, grown-up vacation where you can relax in true serenity. Small and romantic, this country home by the sea has an old-fashioned porch with rockers overlooking the ocean. Tables are garnished with wildflowers, and there's an outdoor hot tub. The common living-dining area has a fireplace. Rooms have hardwood floors and are done in soft vintage-floral prints. A path directly across the road traverses the shoreline and leads you on a short, leisurely walk into the village. Go off-season for an ultimate retreat.

An international crowd has flocked to this trendy hotel ever since celebrity hotelier Andre Balazs (of Los Angeles's Chateau Marmont and SoHo's Mercer) opened it in the late 1990s. Each retro-style guest room has a sundeck that looks out over the parking lot to the water. The beachfront French bistro–style restaurant provides the best people-watching around, and a great place to relax with a cocktail and enjoy the lingering sunset.

This modern two-story motel was built on a rise so that each room would have an ocean view from its private terrace, and it's popular with couples and families for its proximity to the beach and Hither Hills State Park. Most rooms have been nicely updated with wood floors and simple, modern furniture that suits is surroundings. Although the word "resort" is in its name, don't expect a luxury resort experience where you'll be pampered with service, activities, and amenities. Here it's simply all about the beach.