Review: Newly Refreshed Montauk Yacht Club

Background & Location

Earlier this month, I stayed at the Montauk Yacht Club, the Star Island seaside resort and marina. The property is located in the famous Montauk, New York, which is the eastern end of the Hamptons. Originally built in 1928, the property used to be the Gurney’s Star Island Resort & Marina. In 2024, the property reopened refreshed following a multi-million-dollar renovation and addition of the Ocean Club Montauk. The property is now under the management of Proper Hospitality within The Collective. I love the restaurants/rooftop bars inside the other Proper properties, specifically Charmaine’s at the San Francisco Proper and Cara Cara at the Los Angeles Proper.

The Montauk Yacht Club offers access to the largest marina in the Hamptons. It features more than 200 slips that accommodate elegant day boats and 300-foot superyachts. The property is about 3.5 miles from Montauk Village and 6.5 miles from the Montauk Lighthouse.

Travel Agency Benefits

I work with a travel agency, Fora Travel, and can assist in booking hotel stays. The Montauk Yacht Club is part of Fora Reserve. This special partnership gives you special perks when booking with me.

• Daily breakfast for two
• Complimentary upgrade upon availability
• $100 Hotel Credit per stay
• Welcome amenity
• Early check-in/late check-out upon availability

If you are interested in getting these perks and want to stay at The Montauk Yacht Club, please email me at takeofftotravel@fora.travel, and I would be happy to help you plan your trip.

Takeoff Points for the Montauk Yacht Club

Date of Stay: May 2025
Pros: Newly refreshed rooms, solid service, beautiful grounds & Aesop toiletries.
Cons: As Montauk is seasonal, some amenities don’t open up until later in the season.
Takeoff Point: The Montauk Yacht Club is a tranquil coastal-modern property that can serve as a solid weekend getaway or summer soiree with a plethora of activities & amenities to partake in.

Arrival and Lobby

We took the first train out of New York City to Montauk and arrived at the Montauk train station at around 11 am. It was a quick 5-minute Uber/Lyft to the hotel, which is about 2 miles away.

We were quickly checked in by a friendly associate, and since we were traveling on a weekday in the offseason, our room was ready!

There is some lobby seating on the second floor, and I really like the back room that features and patio and the sleek blue walls.

Our room was located in a different building from the lobby, so we got to walk past some of the grounds, which were kept up quite well.

Waterview Two Double

Our room was located on the first floor, and the highlight was the enormous patio with a daybed lounger and two chairs, with direct access to the marina and a beautiful water view. It was nice being able to leave from the patio and walk straight to the pool or the beach.

There are two double-size beds with a nightstand in the middle. The nightstand has an alarm clock with many power charging ports as well as a phone. The bedding and linens were comfortable and provided a solid four-star quality hotel sleep.

As you enter, the room towards the left is a mini bar section with a fridge for personal use, a Nespresso machine, and espresso pods, as well as a few drawers for storage. There are some wine glasses, an ice bucket, and some drinking glasses. Two bottles of water were provided, in a nice aluminum bottle.

Then there is a large dresser below the TV with Apple storage as well as a cute chair with a floor lamp next to the window.

Bathroom

The bathroom was quite nice, even though it had a single vanity. There was ample counter space as well as three large storage cabinets. Shower caps and vanity kits were provided, as well as two pairs of slippers.

The shower had a waterfall as well as a wand function, and the shower pressure was pretty good.

Toiletries were provided by Aesop, which I really enjoy.

There is a vanity area in the bathroom, which is nice for getting ready with a stool as well as an open-air closet. Two robes were provided, as well as a yoga mat.

Overall, I found the room to be quite solid, with the patio & view being the highlight, and the Aesop toiletries being a nice touch.

Dining

Ocean Club

The Ocean Club is the property’s main restaurant and features South African Chef Jarad McCarroll highlighting seafood, local produce, a raw bar, and wood-fired Braai grilling. I liked the upscale decor of the restaurant, fitted with nice views of the marina and waterfront.

If you’d like a more immersive experience, The Chef’s Table allows you to watch and interact with your meal’s preparation.

We had a nice lunch at the Ocean Club, their first lunch service of the season. I found the food to be quite tasty, and I enjoyed the restaurant’s environment.

Ocean Club Bar

Closer to the lobby, the Ocean Club Bar is available for drinks and bites as well.

The Pool Bar

In between the Ocean Club & the Ocean Club Pool is a bar that serves drinks & bites.

The Market

For a quick coffee shop run or needing snacks and to-go bites, the Market will cover your needs.

Amenities

The Beach

The Montauk Yacht Club offers a private beach with beach chairs and umbrellas set up. I managed to find some time to bask in the sun, and it was quite relaxing. Later in the season, you can also rent complimentary paddle boards on the beach.

Pools

There are three pools on site: the Indoor Pool, Ocean Club Pool & Great Lawn Family Pool.

During my stay, the Indoor Pool was open from 8 am to 4 pm, and it is located next to the fitness center. It offers a retractable roof, so you can still take advantage of the sun. It’s on the smaller side, so I preferred the Ocean Club Pool, but perhaps on a rainy day, the indoor pool would be nice.

The Ocean Club Pool is outside the main lobby & Ocean Club restaurant and is 18+. I managed to be the first swimmer of the season as it opened on May 9th. I enjoyed my pool experience, with nice marina views and a good number of loungers and shaded umbrellas. Additionally, the pool also offers an all-day menu for bites, as well as live music programming on the weekends.

The Great Lawn Family Pool was closed during my stay, but it is located near the historic cottages and the Great Lawn. When opened, food service is available as well.

Fitness Center

The fitness center is open 24/7 and offers all the equipment needed for a workout.

Spa (Wellness Cabana)

The Wellness Cabana provides spa services such as massages and wraps.

The Shop

For sundries, apparel, and other items, you can head to the Shop, located next to the Concierge desk.

Bikes

You can borrow Linus bikes for free, and we took them to the Lighthouse. Not the easiest ride, but definitely doable! There are some hills, but the shoulders on the road are wide, and there weren’t too many cars when we went late in the afternoon.

Tennis & Padel Courts

Next to the Great Lawn, there are tennis and padel courts.

Harbor Cruises

During my early May stay, these weren’t quite available yet, but once the season starts later in the month, they have complimentary 45-minute harbor cruises with electric X-shore boats.

Ineos House Cars

An amazing amenity was the Ineos House Cars that the hotel provides! It’s on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can enjoy complimentary in-town transportation within a 10-mile radius, perfect for visiting Montauk Village and the surrounding area. Note that it is only for drop-offs, and you’ll have to Uber or Taxi back, but it’s super helpful (especially if you don’t have a car).

The Verdict

Overall, I had a great time at the Montauk Yacht Club, and it was a nice escape from New York City. I found the rooms to be comfortable, and the setting to be quite picturesque. I actually really enjoyed visiting in the offseason, as the resort was peaceful, and I would definitely come back in the future. But it would be nice to experience the vibes in season as well, when there are more people and the town is fully operational.

Have you stayed at the Montauk Yacht Club before? How was your experience? Feel free to share below!