There’s summer in the Hamptons — and then there’s summer at Gurney’s Montauk Seawater Spa & Resort, where sun-drenched sophistication meets peak scene-stealing glam.
Set on a dramatic bluff with panoramic Atlantic views, this East End icon doesn’t just offer luxury, it guarantees a spot at the most coveted beach party around. And this year, the Hamptons property is seriously upping its game, courtesy of a splashy culinary revamp, a socialite’s spa takeover, a designer beach pop-up and some very photogenic Cadillacs that provide the ultimate prop for an enviable Father’s Day TikTok vid.
Start by checking into one of the 158 coastal-chic guest rooms, all raw woods and earth tones, then make haste to Gurney’s private beach club, which this summer is getting a total Dolce & Gabbana makeover. Picture a riot of iconic Majolica prints and bold Sicilian-styled hues enveloping loungers, cabanas and umbrellas, all complementing the whites, blues and creams of the crashing waves, the sand and the endless skies. Should you forget to pack your jet-setter’s caftan or canvas tote, worry not: Gurney’s is also welcoming a pop-up D&G boutique with all the summery essentials a Beach Bunny requires.
Then sign up for the resort’s Signature Summer Fitness Series, which includes beachside workouts every Saturday and Sunday morning for guests and in-the-know locals. (Those abs aren’t going to crunch themselves!) Treat yourself to a full post-sweat restoration at Seawater Spa, the recently renovated 30,000-square-foot wellness destination, featuring a hydrotherapy circuit, hot and cold water therapies and a seawater-fed indoor pool. This summer, Gurney’s will tap Irene Forte Skincare for its facial treatments, an LVMH-backed organic line founded by the daughter of hotel mogul Sir Rocco Forte. Her customizable 90-minute facial incorporates Forte’s science-forward skin care and includes a deep cleanse, a mask and a lymphatic massage. It’s basically a vacation for your face.
Once you’re toned and lifted, follow the beats of Sound Waves, Gurney’s summer DJ series, to the deck and firepit. Sets by world-class talent start during sunbaked afternoons and stretch into beachy twilights, a barefoot celebration of seasonal feels.
All that dancing have you feeling peckish? Sashay over to Gigi’s Montauk, the culinary crown jewel opening to the public on June 16 — just in time for Father’s Day.
The space is a stunner: A 4,000-square-foot dining room lined with blond wood, creamy stone and killer ocean views, plus a 2,500-square-foot patio where every table delivers a front-row seat to the sunset. And did we mention the food? Chef Justin Lee, a French Laundry alum, helms the kitchen along with Gurney’s beloved Chef Mbaba “Baba” Danso, whose grandmother hails from Gambia. Together they’re whipping up elevated coastal American cuisine with serious global bona fides. Order the 1½ lb. Angry Lobster, a smoky-spicy showstopper with chili, cayenne and Aleppo pepper on grilled Tuscan bread, and the Giant Shrimp Scampi, baked and laced with lemongrass-infused mayo. Even the sushi is Instagram-worthy: The Gigi Roll layers spicy hamachi with tobiko and crispy shallots and makes all the influencers go “Ahhhh.”
Gurney’s also makes it easy to celebrate the dads in our lives this summer with its exclusive Cadillac Experience. While you (or Pops) won’t be putting the pedal to the metal yourself, the program invites guests to be chauffeured around town in a sleek new Lyriq or Escalade. Not quite ready to leave campus? Simply strike a pose next to the hot wheels and serve your public that “Casually arriving at my Hamptons house in Daddy’s Caddy” vibe.
Gurney’s has never been one to rest on its laurels, even after a century as a bolt-hole for the guests of stylish Hamptons summer people. This season, whether you’re a Montauk regular or splurging on a trip Out East to celebrate Father’s Day, it’s lining up as the destination of the season. Rooms from $1,045 at Gurneys Resorts