Honest Review: Gurney's Montauk Resort in New York

On the Tip of Long Island

Recently, a friend took me to Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa in Montauk, New York, to celebrate a special birthday. While I was fortunate to have this vacation as a gift, visiting Gurney’s can be expensive for those footing the bill.

If you are thinking of going, here is my review of the resort and its amenities and some factors that you should consider.

Resort Location

Gurney’s is a beachfront property in Montauk, New York, which makes the scenic views surrounding the resort breathtaking. The main road leading to the resort is one-lane, and traffic was congested even though I went from a Sunday to a Tuesday in the summer.

The resort is a short drive to East Hampton, South Hampton, and Montauk. Be aware that if you are driving at night, many of the roads are curvy and not well-lit. Although we did not visit Montauk, we did walk around East Hampton and South Hampton.

East Hampton offers a wide variety of very elite, upscale stores that are beyond the average person’s budget, but South Hampton has stores that are nice yet affordable for many people. Restaurants were abundant wherever we went.

Rooms and Parking

Rooms with beachfront and partial beachfront views are available, but it is costly. (At the time of this article, our room was more than $1,250 a night during the week for an unobstructed beachfront view in the summer.)

Our room featured two beds and a balcony with an oversized lounge chair (the lounge was larger than the size of a double bed). Shrubs helped make the balcony feel private. Our room also had plush robes that were so comfortable that I almost bought one. Unfortunately, the gift shop did not have any in stock.

Pro tip: Be aware that this resort fills up very quickly, so it is best to make your reservations well in advance. You can start looking for accommodation by first visiting their website.

As for parking, there is ample space available, but the resort requires you to use a valet. On the plus side, I never had a problem getting our vehicle quickly.

Getting Around the Resort

In the beginning, it was a bit tricky to get used to the layout of the grounds, but the hotel staff was more than happy to help. Once, a maintenance man even stopped what he was doing to lead me to the area I was trying to find.

Navigating the grounds may be difficult for someone who has physical restrictions or is elderly, as there are plenty of steps. Some of the step-banisters had lights, but others did not. When I was dressed up at night in heels, I was careful returning to my room. One night it rained, which made it even more important to hold the banister and step carefully.

Gym

The resort has a gym, but surprisingly I did not see any elliptical trainers when I was there. However, there were treadmills and other aerobic equipment to use. There were also assorted weight machines, free weights, and plenty of mats. You can access the gym anytime with your room key.

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I went at various times throughout my stay and never had difficulty waiting for any machines.

Resort Restaurant and Food Options

The hotel’s restaurant, Scarpetta Beach, was lovely, and there were tables overlooking the ocean. We had lunch there, and the food was a bit pricey, but everything came out as ordered and we enjoyed excellent service. It is open year-round, and the website emphasizes that no matter where you are dining, you have a panoramic view of the water.

In addition to the restaurant, there was also a fireplace area outside—literally called The Firepit—that had tables and chairs. You could order light fare and beverages in that area. Piped-in music added to the ambiance of that part of the resort. Although I was with a friend, many couples were enjoying that part of the resort, and it had a romantic vibe. It was a popular area in the late after afternoon and post-dinner.

If you were at the beach, there was The Beach Club that offered beverages and light fare. Our bartender was outstanding and attentive.

Additionally, the hotel had a coffee bar, OG Coffee & Juice, that offered assorted coffee drinks, smoothies, and light breakfast and lunch options.

Beach

The resort had cabanas that were available for a fee. Otherwise, attendants would guide you to complimentary beach chairs and provide towels for you as well.

If you take a walk along the water, you'll see some beautiful homes overlooking the beach. I mention this because, although there are many beautiful homes in the Hamptons and surrounding areas, residents value their privacy, so most of the homes are hidden from view by gates and high shrubbery.

Spa and Pool

There is a spa onsite with assorted services, but I did not take advantage of it. However, the menu has an array of massages, facials, wraps, and other treatments.

Although it seemed like there were not a lot of children at the resort, the pool seemed to attract people with them. It was a heated pool that was indoors.

The Biggest Drawback of Gurney's

This did not affect my visit, since I was at the resort purely for pleasure and with a friend, but still, it is worth mentioning since everyone will be there under different circumstances. Despite the Wi-Fi being free, the service faded in and out constantly.

For someone intending to combine business with pleasure, the inconsistent internet access may make this resort a less-than-ideal choice. However, if you are seeking a place to relax and recharge, this rustic yet luxurious resort may be for you.

More to Do in New York

• A Trip to Montauk Point
  Looking to get out of New York City without having to go too far? Long Island’s eastern tip feels like it's worlds away from the Big City. Who knew? It's accessible by train and you have to check it out!
• Things to Do Around Chautauqua Lake, New York
  Chautauqua Lake, New York, is one of those one-of-a-kind places where it seems like things never change. No matter what time of year you go, there are always plenty of things to do.
• The Mayville Ice Castle: A Festival in Mayville, NY
  The Mayville Ice Castle is built in Mayville, New York, each President's Day weekend, bringing a festive atmosphere of winter celebration to Chautauqua County.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2023 Abby Slutsky