Heading to the Hamptons This Weekend?

The full feature article with all the details appears in the June/July edition of Haute Living New York, which just hit our website yesterday. Some highlights include:

Hamptons 101:

While the Hamptons technically begin with Westhampton, we suggest you keep heading east until you hit one of the five villages that embody the true Hamptons spirit:  Southampton Village (generally just referred to as “Southampton”), Sag Harbor, East Hampton Village (again, just call it “East Hampton”), Montauk, and Shelter Island.

Getting There:

The East Hampton Airport can accommodate jets up to a G5; larger aircraft should head for the Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach. If a helicopter is your bird of choice, a helipad on Southampton’s prestigious Meadow Lane allows you to touch down amidst the action.

Southampton Dining:

Even in the Hamptons, the ladies-who-lunch set can enjoy all that they have come to expect at Nello’s on the Upper East Side, thanks to Nello Summertimes (136 Main St.; 631.287.5500) serving up its signature inimitable Italian fare. If it’s a scene you’re craving, the space transforms into a thriving nightlife enclave after dark. A little more low-key is Savanna’s Southampton (268 Elm St.; 631.283.0202), which serves delectable eclectic cuisine (with a focus on local seafood) in inviting surroundings.

East Hampton Shopping:

Balenciaga (54 Main St.; 631.324.0107) opened its first-ever pop-up store in East Hampton on Memorial Day weekend. The 1,000-square-foot boutique, developed by artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière and French artist Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, sells an assortment of women’s accessories, including coveted handbags, sunglasses, shoes, and jewelry. London Jewelers (2 Main St.; 631.329.3939) is also firmly rooted in the region, as the brand’s first locale opened in 1926. Today, the well-known local Udell family operates five London Jewelers outposts in the Hamptons, where customers can peruse collections from the likes of Audemars Piguet, Cartier, H. Stern, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Bulgari. For the most intimate shopping experience, the East Hampton showroom’s third floor features an audiovisual room that also serves as the venue for private shopping.

Montauk:

The Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina (32 Star Island Road; 631.668.3100) underwent a multimillion-dollar redesign and renovation in 2009, which preserved its history while adding the modern comforts discerning travelers’ demand. While the property features fantastic hotel accommodations and villa cottages, a full-service spa, fitness center, private beach, three swimming pools, tennis courts, and more, the world-class marina is the crown jewel of amenities.

Read the whole article for more details.