Gurney's Inn- Gourmet Dining and relaxation by the Atlantic Ocean

Gurney’s Inn is just 110 miles from the heart of new york city and offers an oasis of peace and tranquility as well as a world class dining, and spa. Nick Monte, the original owner /proprietor of the Inn was a lover of the ocean and during his lifetime Nick became an ardent believer in the healing and restorative powers of the sea. Every day of his adult life, Nick drank a shot glass of sea water .Nick’s dream was to create a resort/ spa environment that harnessed the sea's best qualities. His dream was brought to reality with the opening of Gurneys’s sea water spa. the onlysea water spa in the U.S. featuring Thalasso therapies, a heated seawater olympic size indoor pool and roman baths.

In the past 30 years I have travelled throughout the U.S. and around the world, dining and staying at some of the most luxurious restaurants, hotels and resorts. Gurney’s Inn is anything but glitzy, or glamorous, but this iconic Montauk resort and ocean spa, offers a warmth, charm and “heart” unmatched in all my travels.. Gurney’s can best be described as rustic and quaint, with its wooden buildings, elegant seafood dining, and european styled spa.. Overlooking the magnificent Atlantic Ocean Gurney’s visitors and guests quickly find a serenity and ambiance unlike any other along with some of the best seafood in the U.S.

We drove to Montauk and arrived at Gurney's after passing through some of the Hampton's high profile communities. Our check-in was friendly, and quick after which our bellman took our luggage to our ocean view room. We briefly changed and relaxed on our terrace overlooking the Atlantic ocean as it ebbed and flowed along Gurney’s shore line. From previous visits, I knew that sunset at Gurney’ is one of natures blessings and a sight not to be missed. Once more we were thrilled and awed by the visual treat of a gorgeous sunset on a clear night at Gurney's.

After refreshing ourselves , we visited the world renowned sea water spa to spend some time at the fitness center and recharge our “batteries”. The center has treadmills, elliptical machines, stationery bikes and weight training equipment. The centers staff is well trained, knowledgeable and offers group indoor exercise classes as well as classes by the sea.To top off our gym workout we visited the steam room, took a relaxing shower and returned to our room to prepare for our first night's late dinner at the casual and relaxed Caffe Monte.

The next morning we went downstairs for a hearty and highly enjoyable breakfast at the Caffe Monte. Caffe Monte is adjacent to the famed Sea Grille and only steps away from La Pasticceria, a small and inviting dining room for snacks and coffee.. Our breakfast “feast” of hot cereal, eggs any style, bacon, sausage, breads, rolls and pastrys, cereals, was colorful, exciting and highly nutritiousl. The Caffe dining room is long and narrow but with more than enough room for comfortable dining and excellent service by the immaculately dressed wait staff. Like the Sea Grille it offers amazing views of the ocean.

After breakfast we took a brief automobile excursion around the small but active downtown area of Montauk. Montauk is well known for its world class golf at Montauk Downs, (one of the top 50 public courses in the U.S.), as well as world class deep sea fishing, horseback riding on the beach,fun and eclectic shopping at a small group of unique boutiques. Gurney’s is also located only 15-20 minutes away from the luxe shopping venues of East Hampton.

When we returned to Gurney’s, my wife went down to the spa at for a relaxing and rejuvenating facial by the experienced spa staff. The Spa offers a full menu of healing thalasso therapies, massages, and facials to their guests. With zen like music, candles, and the use of healing creams and oils, she came away relaxed and feeling and looking fabulous. We both also sampled the exciting new Gurney’s Spa line of seawater treatment products. Beautifully packaged in lightweight fashionable bottles with pump dispensers, the line consists of a body lotion, an envigorating cleansing shampoo, a silky hair conditioner and a wonderful ocean scented body shower gel. Developed and researched by Gurney’s spa staff and top skin experts, the line is short, luxurious and well priced for everyone’s budget.

We had planned our trip to Gurney’s well in advance and arrived during the holiday season. Holiday times at Gurney’s are the most festive and joyful times of the year and the Inn was in full holiday mode, with lights and decorations and costumed staff to help welcome in the holiday season. The weather outside was crisp and cold, yet the warmth of the resort, its staff, and management shined through. Music, merriment and laughter filled the rooms and halls of the resort .

We spent the rest of our second day at Gurneys enjoying the holiday festivities, and activities offered by the resort. Ultimately, for dinner we dined at the world famed Sea Grille restaurant. Montauk is one of the finest seafood capitals in the U.S., so we eagerly looked forward to a romantic dinner at the beautifully decorated Sea Grille, which offers their famed locally harvested seafood and shellfish, as well as locally grown organic produce and regional specialties.
In recent years, the Sea Grille's dining room has been made bigger, brighter and more luxurious. We sat at a comfortable table by a large floor to ceiling window looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. . The Sea Grill's menu had something for everyone in the family with bountiful seafood appetizers, hearty chowder perfectly prepared seafood plates of local fish. We thoroughly enjoyed a bowl of hot bouillabaise overflowing with oysters, clams, shrimps, scungilli, in a delectable broth. as well as a 1-1/2 pound lobster. It just doesn't get any better!. , For dessert we had cookies and ice cream cake topped with whipped cream.

We left Gurney’s the next morning ,after a light breakfast of granola cereal and fresh fruits and juices. Before leaving we said out goodbyes to our extraordinary and generous host, Paul Monte and our friend and celebrity hostess Ingrid Lemme. Before leaving we just couldn't pass up a short visit to La Pasticceria for some Starbucks coffee and a home baked Gurney's oversized chocolate chip cookie.

Gurney’s is a magical place where every guest is treated like a a member of their extended family. Gurney's offers charm, ambiance, and serene atmosphere.

Gurney’s Inn and Spa is also well known for their year round offsite facilities for large and small corporations as well as their renowned weddings by the Sea.

Gurneys Inn, Montauk New York , www.gurneysinn.com tel: 631-668-2995