Colony Resort founders convey Palm Seaside posh to East Hampton’s Hedges Inn
Regardless of having solely 13 rooms, the historic Hedges Inn — which sits on the entrance to East Hampton village and throughout from its idyllic pond — has made outsized headlines within the final yr.
Scott Sartiano, the person behind celebrity-packed personal membership Zero Bond, leased the inn final summer time within the hopes of launching a by-product membership. He was met with insurmountable resistance by village officers and residents, who feared a nightlife vibe and its accompanying noise and visitors. After a flurry of opposition, his lease was not renewed.
Now the bed-and-breakfast’s new homeowners, Sarah and Andrew Wetenhall, have been welcomed with open arms. It doesn’t damage that the Wetenhalls had a house in East Hampton for 15 years (till 2021) and likewise reworked The Colony Resort right into a buzzy Palm Seaside vacation spot the place vacationing New Yorkers and locals alike flock to its poolside restaurant Swifty’s and its rousing trivia and bingo nights.
The couple introduced lots of those self same parts to the Hedges when it opened final week — together with the whimsical design that’s been a part of The Colony’s lure. “There’s a fashion that thrives with locations near the ocean,’’ Sarah tells Alexa. “We would like the Hedges to turn out to be one of the best model of herself, and a visible illustration of East Hampton, the way in which The Colony is a visible illustration of Palm Seaside. It is going to have the summer time Americana aesthetic that’s so effectively cherished.’’
Meaning shake shingles; a number of purple, white and blue; plus loads of pops of The Colony’s famed pink. The inn’s floor flooring was already renovated by the earlier homeowners, and the rooms shall be refreshed this yr, with a bigger overhaul deliberate after the summer time season.
“Andrew and I like to journey, however we additionally love the creature comforts of dwelling,’’ Sarah explains. To this finish, they’re including Matouk sheets, towels and robes together with luxurious facilities.
“We’re all about making a enjoyable summer time, and we’ll accomplish that with a smile on our face and kindness in our time,’’ she says. As at The Colony, they may supply their Instagram-famous branded bicycles with baskets and route maps, together with buggies that transport visitors, chairs, umbrellas and coolers to the seashore. “They make us visually who we’re.”
The inn, first established in 1873, will now have a 24-hour full-service desk, valet parking, butler service, a provisions bar with complimentary drinks and snacks, curated itineraries and a concierge-by-text service — nicknamed Ahab, after East Hampton artist Jackson Pollock’s poodle. Along with lodge rooms, there shall be a three-bedroom, stand-alone residence subsequent door to the property, ultimate for prolonged stays.
“We are able to supply a bespoke, personalized expertise, and we’re actually enthusiastic about reimagining hospitality on the East Finish,” Sarah says.
Visitors can take pleasure in intimate bonfire gatherings (full with s’mores) in addition to Wednesday night conversations with visitor lecturers.
The Wetenhalls are recognized for bringing in designers, magnificence manufacturers and famed health instructors (together with Tracy Anderson and Isaac Boots) for collaborations. “We do love our partnerships; they spherical out the visitor expertise,’’ she notes. On the Hedges, these collabs will embody Naturopathica spa companies, Volvo electrical EX 90 vehicles for tooling across the village and a home automotive for native rides within the type of a classic pink Land Rover Defender.
However probably the most pivotal partnership stays with Swifty’s (initially a New York eatery earlier than being resurrected underneath founder Robert Caravaggi at The Colony). The restaurant has taken over the 100-seat indoor-outdoor eating house that housed Sartiano’s final summer time, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, together with its signature meatloaf and crab desserts, together with farm-to-table native fare.
Trivia will reappear as effectively, however sadly, these uberpopular bingo nights gained’t make the journey north. “The New York State playing legal guidelines won’t permit it,’’ Sarah sighs.
Rooms from $599 in Could and from $1,499 from Memorial Day weekend on at The Hedges East Hampton
