Best Hotels in Montauk (Updated June 2021)

FAQ: Montauk vacations

What are the best activities in Montauk? 

It’s all about getting outdoors, with surfing on Ditch Plains Beach, horseback riding (Montauk is home to one of the oldest ranches in the country), hiking in the state parks, and visits to the iconic lighthouse.

There’s also an emerging style scene, with high-end boutiques mixed in among the T-shirt shops in town. Many of the hotels on this list have notable restaurants, but some of my favorite local spots include Salivar’s Clam & Chowder House (a fish restaurant with excellent sushi), Swallow East (a dockside restaurant with small plates), the Inlet (more great sushi and gorgeous water views), Duryea’s (lobster on a dock over the water), and Ruschmeyer’s (global coastal cuisine, including summertime favorites like lobster rolls and Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizzas). Right in town, the Montauk Brewing Company is the place to sample the local brews. Want to see an amazing sunset? The views from The Montauket, a dive bar on the outskirts of town, are epic.

What are the beaches like in Montauk?

Montauk has a range of options, from wide Atlantic Ocean expanses to small bayside beaches. Ditch Plains is one of the most popular surfing spots in the world, but it’s not just for surfers — kids play in the water, while couples stroll along the cliffs. You can also find plenty of gorgeous beaches along the Atlantic coast.

All the beaches in this part of Long Island are open to the public, and while you might be tempted to just pull up to a beach, you should know that parking can be challenging if you don’t have a beach sticker or are in a paid lot. (And parking tickets are not cheap.) Luckily, some hotels on this list offer free parking permits. Other hotels are located directly on the beach.

How many days do you need in Montauk?

You can make the most of Montauk in a weekend. But a warning: On summer weekends, getting to and from Montauk can be a nightmare due to traffic. If you can take the time off, it’s best to try and arrive on Thursday night or Friday morning and leave on Monday.

What is the best time of year to visit Montauk?

This little beach town at the tip of Long Island hits its peak in summer, when it seems like all of New York City descends. One of the best times to visit Montauk is in September and October, when the weather is still spectacular, the crowds leave, and the fish are jumping. 

How do you get to Montauk from New York City?

If you drive or rent a car, it takes a little over three hours to get to Montauk. However, on Friday evenings in the summer traffic can be almost unbearable and it will take much longer. You can also take the Hampton Jitney bus starting from $30 each way, or the Long Island Rail Road, which starts from $13.50 one way.  

Are hotels safe?

The CDC has stated that fully vaccinated people can safely travel domestically. Most hotels have strict new COVID-19 safety procedures in place. While you’re more likely to encounter other people in a hotel than you would staying in a private vacation rental, experts say that it’s possible to be safe.