Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows

Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows: A Michelin Key Selected North Fork Gem

Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows on North Fork Long Island stands out as a "Michelin Key Selected" property, offering a blend of retro charm and modern luxury. Following an extensive 14-month renovation completed in 2023, the property has garnered overwhelmingly positive guest feedback, celebrated for its exquisite design, exceptional service, and stunning beachfront location.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows is exceptionally positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "exceptional," "memorable," and a "nice relaxing getaway." Review scores are notably high across categories, including cleanliness (9.9), comfort (9.9), staff (9.9), and location (9.7). The property is recognized as a 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award winner for the Mid-Atlantic region.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of Silver Sands:

• Beachfront Location & Views: The motel boasts 1,400 feet of private sandy beach facing Shelter Island on Peconic Bay, offering breathtaking views and direct access to the water.
• Design & Ambiance: The property, originally built in 1957, underwent a significant renovation that preserved its cherished spirit while introducing a "casually elegant beachfront" and "chic interior" with "tasteful finishes" and "mid-century details." It is described as having a "nostalgic vibe" and a "laid-back yet refined escape."
• Exceptional Service: The staff is frequently lauded as "welcoming, friendly, and accommodating," providing "very helpful and very quick" responses to guest inquiries.
• Dining: The on-site restaurants are a significant draw, with "amazing" food that makes staying worthwhile. Nookies, in particular, was named to Condé Nast Traveler's 2024 list of the "Best New Hotel Restaurants in the World."
• Amenities: Highlights include a full-service spa (Salt Marsh Wellness Sanctuary) offering various treatments and a hydrotherapy circuit, complimentary bicycles, free private parking, and free WiFi. The property is also one of only two all-electric, fossil fuel-free hotels in the United States.

3. Room Quality

The accommodations, which include 20 hotel rooms, 10 cottages, and three- and four-bedroom beach houses, are described as "luxurious," "super clean," "modern," and "cozy." Rooms feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms, garden or sea views, and modern amenities such as free WiFi, flat-screen Smart TVs with digital channels and Netflix, minibars, laptop-compatible safes, and private entrances. Guests appreciate the "comfortable bed to soft comfortable towels" and "dry tasteful finishes." Pillowtop beds with down comforters, premium bedding, and a pillow menu further enhance comfort. Bungalows offer spacious living areas, kitchenettes, and luxury spa bathrooms in some configurations.

4. Dining Experience

Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows offers a distinguished culinary experience with three on-site restaurants:

• Nookies: This "reimagined diner" is celebrated for its "scratch-made, thoughtfully crafted dishes," serving daytime favorites like handmade biscuits and crispy hash browns with house-smoked fish, and transforming into a "cozy, vibrant dinner spot" in the evening with an inventive, seasonally evolving menu.
• Eddie's: A seasonal, open-air restaurant beneath a century-old oak tree, Eddie's offers a menu with a Mediterranean influence and an "unfussy vibe," featuring wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, hyper-local oysters from the property's own oyster farm, and masterful seafood creations.
• The Boathouse: Housed in a restored century-old structure, The Boathouse honors Greenport's working waterfront with "playful, soulful dishes."

Breakfast is generally well-received, described as "fresh and tasty" and "excellent." An on-site bar also provides a relaxing atmosphere.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Silver Sands receives overwhelmingly positive feedback. Guests consistently highlight the staff as "Welcoming, friendly, and accommodating." Reviewers mention staff being "very helpful and very quick in answering our questions" and "very responsive." The hospitality contributes significantly to the overall exceptional guest experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located in Greenport, Long Island, Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows is situated on 45 waterfront acres on serene Peconic Bay, facing Shelter Island. It's described as the North Fork's "most iconic boutique hotel." The property is less than two hours from NYC and is accessible by train, Jitney, boat, or car, offering an escape to the "quiet luxury of the Fork less taken." While some guests note it's a "little bit further out of town than I would've liked (20-minute walk)," Ubers are readily available. Nearby attractions include Kontokosta Winery.

7. Value & Pricing

Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows is considered a luxury property, and pricing reflects this. Rates can start from approximately $205 to $209 per night for a standard room during the low season. However, prices can increase significantly, with some rooms and bungalows ranging from $231 to over $800 per night, depending on the room type, season, and demand. While many find the experience to be worth the cost, some guests have commented that "prices are too high in season." The property scored 8.8 for value for money, indicating that while it's an investment, many guests still find it to be a good value for the quality provided.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted:

• Pricing during High Season: The most common complaint relates to the high prices during peak season, with some guests suggesting it's better to visit during the off-season for better value.
• Restaurant Menu Variety: One guest mentioned that while the food was "fresh and tasty," it was "a bit on the rich side" and suggested "more alternatives on the menu would be better."
• Limited In-Room Refreshments: A few guests expressed a desire for more readily available snacks and cold drinks in the room or closer to the reception without needing to "trek back."

Sources

1. timesreview.com
2. booking.com
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5. kayak.com
6. hotels.com
7. expedia.com