Viewing entries by
Alexi Holian

A Local’s Guide to Skiing Sugarbush

A Local’s Guide to Skiing Sugarbush

Spanning 53 miles of pristine trails in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, Sugarbush is known as one of the top ski resorts in New England with good reason. The alpine retreat in Warren is home to more than 100 trails, a professional-level terrain park, and the spectacular, 2,000-acre backland woods area of Slide Brook Basin.

Among the skiers and snowboarders taking in Vermont’s breathtaking scenery on any given day is Mark Woolley, Seasonal Programs Supervisor and Alpine Training Coordinator. Woolley has been at Sugarbush since 1979 when he moved to the mountain at the age of 21, and today, he still skis as much as possible during his free time. 

“It rivals anything in the East,” he says of the terrain, noting the marked trails as well as the much-acclaimed side-country and backcountry.

At the heart of Sugarbush is the Lincoln Peak area, which includes Lincoln Peak, Castlerock, Gadd Peak, and North Lynx and features a variety of classic New England trails and the Ski & Ride School. Nearby in the Mt. Ellen area, composed of the 4,083-foot Mt. Ellen and Inverness, you can find Vermont’s highest chairlift.

Photo: Audrey Huffman

Photo: Audrey Huffman

The marked trails in Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen are among the best in the region, offering incredible beginner and expert terrain — including Woolley’s personal favorite trail, the double-black Lift Line on Castlerock Peak. But it’s between the two areas that you will find Slide Brook Basin, which is where Woolley and many of the resort’s top skiers and riders spend their time.

Beyond resort boundaries, the basin abounds with challenging expert ski terrain. It’s here that you can find tranquil backcountry solitude as you explore with your group — and perhaps even spot wildlife including moose, black bears, and white-tailed deer.

“Everybody loves this place for skiing in the woods,” says Woolley, who spends a lot of time in Sugarbush’s wooded areas with the children in the seasonal programs. (Many parents from nearby Boston are avid skiers themselves and want their children to feel comfortable skiing in the woods as quickly as possible.)

Photo: Hans Jonathon Von Briesen

Photo: Hans Jonathon Von Briesen

Back in Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen, the terrain parks also attract skiers and riders of all skill levels. Families and beginners enjoy small jumps, rails, and boxes in the progression park in Lincoln Peak, while experienced skiers and riders head over to Mt. Ellen’s Riemergasse and Sugar Run via the Sunny Quad chairlift.

“We have one large, professional-level, photography-style terrain park,” says Snowboard Manager Aaron Guilfoyle of the six-acre Riemergasse. “The skate-plaza-style setup at the base of Mt. Ellen is absolutely amazing. It’s set up to really feed into a lot of people’s creativity.”

Sugarbush’s premier park for more than a decade, Riemergasse is packed with more than 50 of the most advanced medium and large features in the industry, with an opportunity to link a single top-to-bottom run 15 features deep. Nearby, Sugar Run is a traditional top-to-bottom run with small and medium features that are great for those in the early stages of freestyle skiing and those who want to warm up before Riemergasse.

Photo: John Atkinson

Photo: John Atkinson

Between hitting the slopes, there is plenty to do in the Mad River Valley, from shopping artisan galleries to grabbing a bite at top après ski bars to relaxing in Sugarbush’s cozy accommodations. For Woolley, some of the many great restaurants in the area include the Hyde Away, where you can find modern farm-to-table cuisine and Vermont microbrews, and The Reks for delicious appetizers and innovative comfort food. He is also known to visit the Mediterranean-inspired Sage on a Thursday night. 

At the resort itself, the retro-themed Wünderbar and Castlerock Pub with its extensive beer selection are both favorites for quick breaks and après ski stops. Woolley recommends eating midmorning and midafternoon when there’s a crowd at Sugarbush so you can have some runs all to yourself midday.

From year to year, Sugarbush tends to see the most snow in March, but this season there has been plenty of snow all season long — including about five feet in January — so the mountain is in perfect condition for a winter or spring getaway. As in years past, the slopes will remain open until the first weekend of May.

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A quick flight from Boston and New York City, Sugarbush is completely accessible for quick getaways or weeklong retreats with Tradewind Aviation’s on-demand private charter flights.

To reserve a charter, call us at 1-800-376-7922 or click here.

Featured Photo: John Atkinson

Anguilla Reborn: One Year After Irma

Anguilla Reborn: One Year After Irma

Amid white sands and ethereal blues, a walk on the beaches of Anguilla today won’t reveal the journey that the island has been through in the year since Hurricane Irma. The coastline looks as beautiful as ever, local beach bars have music playing, and the last of Anguilla’s luxury resorts are preparing to reopen for a new season.

When the powerful Category 5 storm passed over the Leeward Islands in September 2017, shorelines throughout the islands were decimated and entire homes and businesses collapsed. On Anguilla, where 14,000 people call the destination home year-round, residents suddenly found themselves without income in the aftermath of the hurricane as tourism completely shut down. But in disaster, the incredible spirit of the Anguillan people shone through.

Photo: Belmond Cap Juluca

Photo: Belmond Cap Juluca

Families and neighbors began to help each other rebuild. The owner of Sunshine Shack, Garvey Lake, assisted another restaurant in picking up the pieces before turning to his own popular beach bar – where not a single piece of wood remained. On the island’s northwest coast, the owner of Viewfort Estate, Josephine Gumbs-Connor, established the Pure Anguilla Foundation to gather food and supplies for local families. And soon after the storm, four of Anguilla’s luxury properties and largest private employers came together to form Anguilla Stronger.

Barry Sternlict’s Starwood Capital Group, which owns Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, joined forces with Belmond Cap Juluca, Zemi Beach House, and Malliouhana to provide support to islanders while the resorts were undergoing repairs. Together, the nonprofit relief fund raised nearly $2 million to be used toward building materials and food and enlisted hundreds of volunteers to deliver supplies to the people on a weekly basis.

After months of rebuilding, Anguilla feels alive once more. Infrastructure has been repaired, local businesses are open, and the enthusiasm of the Anguillan people is ever-present. If you are returning to the island after having visited in the past, you will find your favorite resorts and restaurants revitalized and ready to welcome you back.

Luxury Resort Updates

Photo: Zemi Beach House

Photo: Zemi Beach House

Zemi Beach House: Amid sweeping beaches and lush greenery, Anguilla brims with luxurious retreats like Zemi Beach House, the first high-end resort to reopen its doors after Irma. Set on six oceanfront acres on Shoal Bay East, Zemi boasts white-sand beaches (which were restored soon after the storm), alfresco dining, and holistic spa treatments in the revitalized rice barn that houses Zemi Thai House Spa.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla: On the other side of the island, Four Seasons spans 3,200 feet of shoreline between Barnes Bay and Meads Bay. The retreat, which reopened in spring of 2018, features elegant villas, townhomes, and residences with gourmet kitchens and indoor-outdoor living spaces – many with private pools set high on the bluffs.

CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa: Another favorite of luxury travelers, CuisinArt just reopened in November after a complete transformation. Along with redesigned interiors, you will find new dining concepts headed by Executive Chef Alan Larch, like the Moroccan-inspired KazBar and the much-anticipated Mosaic. Once you’re settled in, go for a round of golf on Greg Norman’s signature 18-hole championship course, then head to the spa where the restored hydroponic farm provides ingredients for a farm-to-spa program.

Photo: Belmond Cap Juluca

Photo: Belmond Cap Juluca

Belmond Cap Juluca: Still to come on December 10 is the reopening of one of Anguilla’s most famous retreats. Recently rebranded under the Belmond name, Cap Juluca will debut a new beachfront infinity pool, restaurant concepts, a rustic beach bar, and a disappearing spa just steps from its elegant accommodations with sun-spotted terraces. 

Malliouhana: Malliouhana first opened 30 years ago on the edge of Meads Bay, and on December 15 the acclaimed resort will continue its 30-year legacy when it reopens with spacious new guestrooms, a sleek infinity pool, and a toes-in the sand beach bar. In March 2019, look for the unveiling of a new spa overlooking the Caribbean. 

The Culinary Capital of the Caribbean

Anguilla_Cuisine.jpg

Anguila’s restaurants were quick to recover despite sustaining heavy damage. You can once again find Caribbean, Moroccan, and Asian flavors in the romantic, treehouse setting of Veya and delicious island specialties like tuna carpaccio at the acclaimed Jacala Beach Restaurant. Despite being completely destroyed during the storm, the quintessential Sunshine Shack reopened just a few months later with its recognizable red, yellow, and green bar on Rendezvous Bay. On the opposite end of the island, Falcon Nest beckons with blackened fish tacos, nachos, and fried oysters just steps from Anguilla’s blue waters.

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Tradewind Aviation offers convenient connection to Anguilla, with scheduled flights operating four days per week from San Juan and private charters available anytime from Puerto Rico, the USVI, Antigua, and the US mainland. Flight time from San Juan to Anguilla is just 45 minutes, and scheduled flights operate from December 14 through April 22.

Featured Photo: Zemi Beach House

A Caribbean Spa Getaway

A Caribbean Spa Getaway

Miles of idyllic beaches and an inescapable sense of calm have already given the Caribbean a reputation for attracting relaxation-minded travelers. Add luxury resorts brimming with innovative wellness therapies, and you have found the perfect place for your next spa retreat.

From the lush jungle of Nevis to the glamorous shores of St. Barth, here are eight of our favorite island spa sanctuaries open now. All are easily accessible when you fly Tradewind with regularly scheduled shuttles and private charters throughout the Caribbean.

Le Spa at Le Barthélemy

St. Barth

Photo: Le Barthélemy

Photo: Le Barthélemy

Set on a pristine stretch of Grand Cul de Sac, the appropriately named Le Spa is a haven for holistic wellness that opened in 2016 when Le Barthélemy first debuted on the island. The beachfront retreat features an open-air atrium that invites the outdoors in as guests indulge in revitalizing facials, massages, and body treatments with La Mer products. Along with a signature rain shower, you can find a blow dry bar and nail bar with eco-friendly polishes.

Our Recommendation: Restore radiance to your skin with The La Mer Miracle Broth Facial, which includes a bespoke facial massage, a pure infusion of Miracle Broth, and an ice sequence.

The Spa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla

Anguilla

Photo: Four Seasons

Photo: Four Seasons

On the northwest shore of the island atop sweeping coastal bluffs, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla welcomes those seeking relaxation with a sleek infinity pool, oceanfront yoga classes, and truly personalized spa experiences. Step into an elegant seaside treatment room or take a breath of fresh salt air when you opt for a spa cabana. The innovative rituals here are inspired by nature, the elements, and cultures from around the world.

Our Recommendation: Detoxify your skin with an Anguilla Salt Scrub, using ingredients that are native to the island. Your experience includes a citrus vanilla mask, scalp and foot massage, and body wrap. 

The Palms Spa at Nisbet Plantation

Nevis

Photo: Nisbet Plantation

Photo: Nisbet Plantation

Both serene and adventurous, Nevis is a paradise for travelers looking to balance mind, body, and spirit. In The Palms Spa at the historic Nisbet Plantation, pamper yourself with stress-melting treatments highlighting fresh fruit, spices, mud, and seaweed in an intimate setting. Spa Director Valencia Griffin will recommend indulgences like the signature Island Breeze Massage followed by a glass of champagne on the palm-lined patio.

Our Recommendation: Another favorite of the Spa Director, the Tropical Citrus & Honey Tonic Body Wrap features sweet tangerines, oranges, and island honey. Enjoy a gentle scrub, warm body tonic and wrap, scalp massage, and shea butter body massage.

Blue Spa at Carlisle Bay Antigua

Antigua

Photo: Carlisle Bay Antigua

Photo: Carlisle Bay Antigua

Framed by pristine beaches and lush rainforest and gardens, Blue Spa at Carlisle Bay Antigua beckons with deeply relaxing treatments that use wild, organic, hand-harvested seaweed. The sanctuary on the southern shore of the island features West Indian massages, reiki, and more in a peaceful setting where gentle breezes come through the open plantation shutters.

Our Recommendation: A complete head-to-toe experience, the Rescue Me Ritual includes a scalp massage, exfoliation, stretching, and body massage using the world’s first organic seaweed oil with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Spa by CuisinArt

Anguilla

Photo: CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa

Photo: CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa

With a renewed focus on whole-body wellness and biodynamic treatments, Spa by CuisinArt returns this season at the beautiful CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa on Rendezvous Bay. A farm-to-spa program is powered by the resort’s hydroponic farm, with herb-infused scrubs and wraps made with ingredients directly from the farm. In the Healing Waters Pool, guests can enjoy hydrotherapy and restorative soaks in nutrient-rich mineralized saltwater, while an array of workshops provide opportunities to create custom scrubs and salts and to learn about specific areas of wellness like essential oils.

Our Recommendation: Rejuvenate your body with the Aqua Massage inspired by Anguilla’s crystalline waters. A therapist moves you through warm, healing saltwater using gentle massage and stretching techniques.

Spa Sisley at Hotel Christopher

St. Barth

Photo: Max VanderNoot, courtesy Hotel Christopher

Photo: Max VanderNoot, courtesy Hotel Christopher

Discover Spa Sisley where the art of living well meets the ocean on St. Barth. The tranquil sanctuary on the island’s northern coast highlights Sisley Phyto-Aromatic Treatments known for their use of essential oils and plant extracts. Each treatment is inspired by rituals from all over the world and created with a respect for local traditions.

Our Recommendation: Schedule a Sisley After-Sun Ritual at the end of a beach day to enjoy both the Zen Harmony body treatment – a complete aromatic body massage designed for extreme relaxation and regeneration – and the After-Sun Facial for supple and radiant skin.

The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies

Nevis

Photo: Four Seasons

Photo: Four Seasons

A tropical garden sanctuary, the spa at Four Seasons Resort Nevis brims with relaxing experiences, from Vinyasa and power yoga to a plunge pool with a volcanic stone waterfall. Among the many innovative treatments, the spa features rituals from the exclusive THÉMAÉ Paris that blend the antioxidant benefits of tea and spring water with modern technology. The benefits of Bush tea and homegrown remedies are ancient traditions on Nevis, and you won’t find THÉMAÉ treatments anywhere else in the Caribbean. 

Our Recommendation: For full-body exfoliation, choose the Coconut, Rum, and Brown Sugar Scrub using ingredients native to the West Indies. After your treatment, a complimentary Rum Cocktail awaits you at any of the resort bars.

The Jumby Bay Spa

Antigua

Photo: Jumby Bay Island

Photo: Jumby Bay Island

On a 300-acre private island with four and a half miles of white-sand shoreline, The Jumby Bay Spa is a newly designed oasis by the sea. With a contemporary design, the space offers a shaded open-air relaxation lounge, plunge pool, ocean-view treatment rooms, and an expansive fitness and yoga pavilion. The treatments combine modern therapy with the ancient healing remedies of West Indies and African cultures, and each begins with a welcoming foot ritual. 

Our Recommendation: Antigua’s healers have historically regarded the pairing of hot and cold as a balance between the natural and supernatural worlds. In the Amerindian Healing Ritual, enjoy a full-body cleanse followed by a warm, herbal oil and then a cooling blend of aloe, peppermint, and menthol for complete balance.



Featured Photo: Carlisle Bay Antigua

The Return of St. Barth’s Luxury Hotels

The Return of St. Barth’s Luxury Hotels

In the year since Hurricane Irma struck St. Barth, the island has made an extraordinary recovery. 

Beaches and hillsides once covered in debris now flourish amid restoration programs and the addition of more than 1,500 new trees and plants. Gustavia’s restaurants and shops were revitalized and reopened soon after the storm. And as St. Barth prepares to welcome visitors back for the high season, some of the island’s top hotels are ready to make their long-awaited debut.

Joining Manapany on Anse des Cayes bay and Villa Marie in the hills above Colombier (both of which opened earlier in the year after renovations), here are the hotels returning to St. Barth this season. All are easily accessible when you fly to the island on Tradewind’s scheduled and private flights.

Hotel Christopher

Reopening October 17

Photo: Piter Juin

Photo: Piter Juin

Nestled along the northern coast of St. Barth, between the azure sea and Pointe Milou, Hotel Christopher is known for its intimate setting that feels both timeless and elegant.

With 70 percent of the hotel damaged during the storm – including the destruction of the beachfront restaurant – the team has spent the year renovating all 42 rooms and suites, updating Spa Sisley with a new fitness room and equipment, and relining the oceanfront infinity pool with eye-catching mosaics. Upon opening in the fall, revamped restaurants Taïno Lounge and Mango Beach Club will introduce new menus under the direction of Chef Nicolas Tissier.

Le Barthélemy Hotel

Reopening October 28

Photo: Laurent Benoit

Photo: Laurent Benoit

Blending Parisian style with the laidback setting of St. Barth, Le Barthélemy Hotel is the newest luxury retreat on the island – having opened in 2016 on a pristine stretch of Grand Cul de Sac.

The bespoke hideaway has upgraded all accommodations since the storm (including the addition of a pillow menu for customized rest, signature scents, and distinct lighting options) and added new two- and three-bedroom beachfront suites. A late-night rooftop bar will offer live music and DJs on weekends, while the renowned Aux Amis plans to expand beyond the restaurant and onto the beach for lunch. Make sure to also check out the expanded Le Spa, where you can enjoy new hot and cold baths, a sauna, hammam, and a tea salon.

Cheval Blanc

Reopening Early December

Photo: Mango PR

Photo: Mango PR

On the edge of Flamands Bay, Cheval Blanc will once again invite you into a lush garden with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. Inspired by the rhythm of island life, French designer Jacques Grange is leading the incredible redesign, orchestrating colors and textures in perfect vivid harmony to restore the Maison and hillside bungalows.

Thirty-four rooms, four one-bedroom suites, and two beachfront villas bathed in sunlight will debut for a soft opening in December alongside the revitalized Cheval Blanc Spa, The White Bar, La Canane de l’Isle, and the signature al fresco La Case de l’Isle by Chef Yann Vinsot.

Hotel Le Toiny

Reopening October 15

Tucked among the trees on a verdant hillside in Côte Sauvage, Hotel Le Toiny affords stunning vistas of the water below. The private and exclusive resort reopens next month with enhanced facilities and eight all-new suites designed by the acclaimed Bee Osborn.

Known for her residential designs in the United Kingdom and beyond, Osborn draws inspiration from classic interiors while infusing her work with modern energy and dynamic lighting. Her latest creations at Le Toiny include seven one-bedroom suites and a two-bedroom suite, each with a private terrace, ocean-view pool, and lush landscaping designed to offer guests a sense of quiet seclusion.

Le Sereno

Reopening December 1 

Photo: Sereno Hotels

Photo: Sereno Hotels

Simplicity meets style at Le Sereno, an intimate beachfront resort on Grand Cul de Sac that spans 600 feet of pristine white sand. When the property reopens this winter, guests can expect an innovative new restaurant, completely redesigned rooms including new family suites with private pools, a new fitness facility, and an enhanced spa. Although most of the hotel will be new as a result of the storm, the spirit of Le Sereno – like the island – will remain the same.

Featured Photo: Sereno Hotels

Sailing Antigua: 7 Days in the West Indies

Sailing Antigua: 7 Days in the West Indies

Home to some of the most spectacular sailing events in the Caribbean, from Antigua Sailing Week to the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua brims with white-sand beaches and deserted coves straight from your sailing daydreams. Blending natural splendor and centuries-old sailing culture, the island is a must-see for experienced sailors and first-timers alike.

Below, a one-week sailing itinerary highlighting some of the island’s most sought-after stopping-off points. After landing on the northern coast with Tradewind Aviation, your first destination is one of Antigua’s most famous.

Day 1: English Harbor

Photo: Stephen Davies

Photo: Stephen Davies

Framed by towering fortresses and sweeping beaches, English Harbour exudes naval history as the founding place for the Royal Navy’s Caribbean fleet in the eighteenth century. A day in the harbor puts you close to fascinating outposts like the restored marina Nelson’s Dockyard and the restored military lookout Shirley Heights, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Step inside Admiral’s House Museum – also in Nelson’s Dockyard National Park – to learn about the importance of the dockyard in Antiguan and Caribbean history, then climb up to Shirley Heights Lookout for one of the most iconic images of Antigua: English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour at sunset. The former military base has been converted into a restaurant and bar and is the perfect place to end the day on Sundays with an evening party and live steel drum band.

Day 2: Nonsuch Bay

Photo: Andrew Moore via Flickr / CC BY

Photo: Andrew Moore via Flickr / CC BY

Your first day on the open water takes you to Nonsuch Bay, about eight miles northeast of English Harbour. On the way, you will pass Half Moon Bay Beach, one of Antigua’s most beautiful shorelines and snorkeling destinations, and York Island, which should be given a wide berth when sailing. Protected by a windward barrier reef, the secluded Nonsuch Bay is the perfect place to anchor for the night.

Near the edge of the bay, the uninhabited Green Island is a favorite among sailors who frequent Antigua with its tranquil white-sand beaches, lush greenery, and variety of exotic birds onshore.

Day 3: Great Bird Island

Photo: Charles J. Sharp via Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Charles J. Sharp via Wikimedia Commons

Quiet and serene, Great Bird Island off of Antigua’s northeastern coast is both a spectacular beach escape and a 20-acre sanctuary for endangered wildlife like red-billed tropicbirds, West Indian whistling ducks, frigates, and rare lizards.

As you sail from Nonsuch Bay to the island, you will spot Devil’s Bridge – a natural arch carved by the sea – and Mercer’s Creek Bay, home to Stingray City Antigua, along your route. Once anchored, explore the destination’s vibrant coral reefs and take a hike to the top of the island for exceptional views of the surrounding North Sound National Park.

Day 4: Dickenson Bay

One of the most beautiful and popular locales on the island, the white-sand beaches of Dickenson Bay are home to many of Antigua’s high-end resorts, along with restaurants, shops, and adventure activities. Pass Prickly Pear Island and Jumby Bay Resort on Long Island to reach the lively enclave, then spend your time soaking up local culture, windsurfing, and horseback riding on sugary white-sand beaches.

Overlooking the picturesque shoreline, casual elegant eateries like Ana’s Restaurant and Art Gallery and Coconut Grove beckon, and just outside of the bay, there are a few uninhabited islands that are worth a snorkeling trip for their one-mile-long coral reef brimming with diverse marine life.

Day 5: Deep Bay

Not far from Dickenson Bay, take a short sail past Fort James and St. Johns (the capital of Antigua) to anchor in Deep Bay. With protected waters and a hundred-year-old shipwreck in the middle of the bay, the destination is ideal for snorkeling. Onshore, pristine beaches are the perfect place to sunbathe – but offer little shade – and interesting hikes abound in the surrounding landscape. Walk to the tip of the cape to take in the boundless ocean at sunset, and hike ten minutes north to the hilltop Fort Barrington to go back more than 200 years in history and enjoy sweeping vistas of the island.

Day 6: Jolly Harbour

Photo: David Stanley via Wikimedia Commons

Photo: David Stanley via Wikimedia Commons

One of Antigua’s most well-known destinations, Jolly Harbour welcomes sailors to a bustling marina, a one-mile long shoreline that is perhaps the widest on the island, and some of the island’s best restaurants. After sailing past Five Islands and reaching the marina, spend your day indulging in freshly caught lobster and coconut shrimp at outposts like The Nest Beach Bar and Restaurant (on the neighboring Valley Church Beach) and swimming in the shallow waters of Jolly Beach, or plan for an afternoon at The Jolly Harbour Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course.

Day 7: Falmouth Harbour

Photo: Falmouth Harbour Marina

Photo: Falmouth Harbour Marina

Complete your journey close to where you began in Falmouth Harbour, a horseshoe-shaped bay on the southern coast featuring three expansive marinas and a boatyard. The hub for Antigua’s yachting community can be reached by passing Cades Reef – where snorkeling the inner reef may bring you face to face with stingrays and harmless reef sharks – and Carlisle Bay Antigua. Once docked alongside Antigua’s luxury yachts in the harbor, take a dive in the bay to explore the iconic Pillars of Hercules underwater. If you need to head back to the neighboring English Harbour to wrap up your trip, simply head around the point.

A World Away in Montauk

A World Away in Montauk

Compared to the bustle of New York City, some 110 miles away, Montauk really does feel like another world. The bohemian-chic neighbor of The Hamptons is home to beautiful Atlantic seascapes and stylish villages straight from your summer dreams, yet it is completely accessible for quick getaways or weeklong retreats with Tradewind's on-demand private charter flights.

Perched on the outermost tip of Long Island, Montauk spans from the village of Napeague in the west to the burgundy-and-white Montauk Point Light in the east – encompassing 13 miles of beaches flecked with quaint bed and breakfasts, upscale restaurants and boutiques, trendy beach clubs, and a flourishing new arts scene.

Touch down at Montauk Airport, where the relatively short runway cannot be accessed by larger jets but makes for an easy landing in a Pilatus PC-12. Then, whether you envision yourself sailing the coastline or dining on the freshest catch, here are our best recommendations for how to spend your getaway:

Where to Stay

During the summer, you have several choices in which to unwind at the end of a beach day. The most famous is Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, a landmark inn boasting 2,000 feet of pristine shoreline, elegant guestrooms and beachfront cottages, the Seawater Spa with a one-of-a-kind, ocean-fed saltwater pool, and the lively Beach Club. (It’s also Montauk’s only year-round resort.)

Photo: Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa

Photo: Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa

For yachting enthusiasts, there is no place better than the iconic Gurney’s Montauk Yacht Club & Resort. The historic property – which recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation – overlooks the azure waters of Lake Montauk and offers a 200-plus-slip marina with plenty of opportunity for world-class sailing and fishing. And for more modern vibes, check out the stylish Montauk Beach House downtown. Known for its cozy, poolside fire lounge, the boutique hotel hosts a variety of upbeat events in season from fashion shows to DJs to pop-up shops.

Photo: Gurney's Montauk Yacht Club & Resort & Marina

Photo: Gurney's Montauk Yacht Club & Resort & Marina

Where to Dine

Waterfront views and fresh coastal fare await in the midst of Montauk’s vibrant culinary scene. Start your day at Joni’s Kitchen, a beloved local eatery with an easy ambiance. While you indulge in breakfast wraps, globally inspired pressed sandwiches, and fresh fruit smoothies, take in the array of vintage surfing photos on the walls – or take your breakfast to go to enjoy on the beach.

The setting is distinctly nautical at Duryea’s Lobster Deck with lobster crates decorating the bar and spectacular vistas of Fort Pond Bay beckoning on the deck. Bite into a much-acclaimed lobster roll for lunch or one of many other high-quality seafood choices like the Montauk Pearl Oysters.

Photo: Doug Young, courtesy of Duryea's Lobster Deck

Photo: Doug Young, courtesy of Duryea's Lobster Deck

Dinner takes you to the lush gardens of Arbor. Surrounded by greenery, the Mediterranean wine and beer bistro offers pan-seared scallops, grilled Spanish octopus, bouillabaisse, and other delectable entrees in an elegant atmosphere. For lighter fare, head to Swallow East on the harbor. You can share savory small plates of burrata, steamed clams, or tuna poke in an intimate setting with friends and family.

What to Do

Upon touching down in Montauk, your first destination should be the beach. With more than 5,000 acres of public beaches and parkland, the easternmost part of New York state abounds with natural beauty – from shorelines framed by rolling sand dunes to incredible, 70-foot-tall bluffs. Swim at Hither Hills State Park beach, hike the trail at Amsterdam Beach State Park to reach a secluded surf spot with great waves, or sip drinks in a breezy beach club.

Next, head to Montauk Point Light, the fourth oldest active lighthouse in the country, for sweeping views of the bluffs and the Atlantic. Closer to town, you will find pursuits for every interest from cycling to horseback riding to golfing – as well as a spectacular array of boutiques. Stop into Kailani (Hawaiian-inspired resort wear) or Montauk Dazies (designer styles) to pick up something to remember your time in Montauk.

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To reserve a private charter flight with Tradewind, call us at 1-800-376-7922 or click here.

 

*Featured Photo: Gurney's Montauk Yacht Club & Resort