Montauk Hotels Welcoming Visitors for Memorial Day Weekend — How They're Taking Precautions

Much of New York may still be on lockdown, but several spots in the Hamptons are reopening in time for Memorial Day Weekend, aiming to offer some socially distanced fun to start the summer season.

Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa opened on May 15 and Gurney’s Star Island Resort & Marina will open on May 22. The hotels will feature hand sanitizing stations as well as a complimentary mask and sanitation wipes in each room, self-parking, and in-room streaming workouts. The spa, pools, and fitness centers, however, will remain closed.

The Montauk resort’s famed Scarpetta Beach restaurant will also reopen for takeout on May 22, a spokeswoman for Gurney’s confirmed to Travel + Leisure. However, seating areas are available to enjoy while properly social distancing.

The marina at the Star Island Resort is open to boaters.

While New York’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo OK’d state and local beaches to reopen with limited capacity, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said in a tweet that access to the beaches there would only be open to Suffolk residents.

However, the spokeswoman for Gurney’s told T+L the Montauk hotel has its own private, 2,000 foot beach and therefore will be open to hotel guests. Unlike past years, the hotel will not rent cabanas or daybeds to outside guests.

Additionally, The Montauk Beach House — which delayed their usual opening my a month — will open its doors in time for Memorial Day Weekend. Sanitizing dispensers will be placed in guest rooms and common areas, and guests will be able to order room service online. Staff will also be wearing masks and gloves, according to the hotel.

“We delayed our opening this year by a month to allow for the state and federal government to clarify guidelines for the safe conduct of business as we open," director of operations at the Montauk Beach House, Yanni Papagiannis, told T+L. "With guidance from both public and private health experts we implemented physical changes and operational procedures that ensure that our community, guests, and staff have the safest possible environment. It will be a different but we expect guests to have an amazing summer experience after this dark spring we’ve all been through.”

New York isn’t alone in welcoming the holiday weekend with beachy vibes. New Jersey will also open its beaches in time for Memorial Day Weekend to both residents and visitors.