The Maidstone

Once discovered never forgotten. I love the photo art all over, that mixed with a scent from the Jonathan Baker product line made me wonder what was around the next corner. I loved the food as it was all slow cooking, they support the local community with their wine selection and most of all they have a beach butler program that drove me to the beach with 5 star lunch for me and my gal. The Hamptons does not have many of these hotels. Best kept secret until now.

This is the quintessential New England inn – carefully updated. Located in East Hampton, almost at the tip of Long Island’s south fork, you are only a few miles away from Montauk lighthouse and its quaint fishing village. (Nice local oysters, beer and clam chowder.) Swedish-born Jenny Ljungberg has done a fantastic job with her hotel. The décor is stylish. (If you’ve heard of Svenskt Tenn, you know what I mean.) The restaurant menu superb, including a breakfast buffet with homemade granola and butter croissants to die for. My ladyfriend and I visited the first weekend of December, so the fireplaces in the common areas were pleasant to sit by and sip local Cabernet Franc and read. The themed rooms are great! (Some even have working fireplaces; all are equipped with organic amenities and beauty products by Jenny’s husband, Jonathan Baker.) We stayed in a really cool and cozy one inspired by the Norwegian adventurer and ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl of Kon-Tiki and Ra fame. It featured a canvas sail bed canopy and a huge Victorian bathtub right in the bedroom. We understand you can borrow bicycles and head for the beaches in the summertime. Plus, they are supposedly a practical way to get around congested Hampton streets in high season. We opted for taking the tiny car ferry via Shelter Island over to Long Island’s north fork and do a winery tour on our own. Fabulous produce – it is said the terroir is a sibling of France’s Bordeaux region, and I believe it. What a treat and what a retreat.

It is the Hamptons and it is priced accordingly - and I get that. But I travel widely and for me, the staff can make the $$$ worthwhile. The Scandinavian design we like - try the Portixol in Palma if its your thing too. Our room was tiny but we knew that too. But nobody really cared .... asked about our trip ( we had an obviously british accent), our day or even if we had a nice stay. They carried our case and took my credit card - that was about it. Someone needs to manage this place properly and just let guests know they matter. Great location, great fellow guests but poor service - such a shame.

The Maidstone is like staying in a 100 year old house and being treated like family. While they are still working on the renovation of this fine hotel we stayed in a finished room in an 'Out of Africa' theme with a large room with kingsize bed and desk. Also a couple of comfy chairs and small table. The bath had a huge shower and a fabulous large oval stand alone tub. They have just changed their menu from Swedish food to more healthy fare. The kale salad with corn was great. They have a nice bar with areas to join in the fun or areas to be with friends or even outside on the porch or in the backyard.

The Maidstone Inn is an 18th century property on East Hampton Village's historic green. It has several upstairs bedrooms and residential cottages, and several,small dining and cocktail nooks plus a warm, central bar and dining room. One of the owners is Scandinavian which has influenced some of the decor and the food. A delightful upscale place to drink, have tea or dine.