The Maidstone

The Maidstone in East Hampton, The Hamptons / Montauk, stands as a distinguished "Michelin Key Selected property," offering guests a blend of historic charm and contemporary Scandinavian-inspired luxury. Recently reopened under LDV Hospitality in Summer 2024, it aims to provide a "La Dolce Vita" experience on the East End, evolving from a traditional B&B into a design-forward boutique hotel.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Maidstone is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently praising its charming atmosphere, excellent staff, and prime location. On Booking.com, it holds an "Excellent" rating of 8.6 based on 17 reviews. Momondo also reports a strong rating of 8.3 from 84 reviews. While the Michelin Guide itself indicates it as a "high quality stay," a specific numerical guest score is pending as more verified reviews are needed for their 20-point scale.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several aspects that make The Maidstone a memorable stay:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's eclectic, contemporary Scandinavian design, often described as a "slice of the Stockholm archipelago," is a major draw. It blends old-world character with playful elegance, creating a cozy and refined atmosphere. The lobby, with its fireplaces and antique upholstery, evokes a well-styled living room.
• Service & Hospitality: The staff consistently receives high praise for being friendly, helpful, and wonderful.
• Amenities: Thoughtful amenities include Hästens beds, excellent in-room coffee and tea service, a daily breakfast tray, and complimentary beach parking permits. The hotel also offers free loaner bikes, lawn games, ping-pong, a library, and an art collection. Pet-friendly policies are also noted, though charges apply.
• Location: Its convenient location in the heart of East Hampton provides unparalleled access to stunning beaches, luxury shopping, and a vibrant culinary scene.

3. Room Quality

The Maidstone's 19 rooms, comprising 16 guest quarters and three standalone cottages, are individually furnished and named after Scandinavian personages, each possessing unique personality. They embrace a "minimalist-meets-vintage style sensibility," offering cozy refinement. Comforts include air conditioning, private bathrooms, bathrobes, free WiFi, and parquet floors. Hästens beds, a Nordic import, are a particularly welcome sight. Cottages offer additional space, high ceilings, luxuriously deep bathtubs, and garden views. Some rooms also feature fireplaces.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's restaurant, overseen by Chef Jorge Espinoza of Scarpetta, offers Italian cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner, evoking quintessential Italian charm. The dining room is described as an elegant space with intimate tables and a cozy back booth by a fireplace. Guests frequently praise the "fresh, healthy breakfast daily" which is often highlighted as excellent and a great way to start the day. The bar is also a popular spot for guests to relax.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback consistently rates the staff and service highly, with a score of 9.4 on Booking.com for staff performance. Guests have described the personnel as "hervorragend," "sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit," and "wonderful". The personalized approach to hospitality contributes significantly to the positive guest experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Maidstone boasts an excellent location in the historic district of East Hampton, receiving a 9.5 rating for location on Booking.com. It's situated a few minutes from Thomas Moran House and offers easy access to a range of popular sights and attractions. Wiborg Beach is approximately 1.2 miles away, while Montauk Point Lighthouse is about 8.7 miles distant. The hotel is also conveniently located for exploring the Hamptons' beaches, shopping, and culinary scene, with free on-site private parking and complimentary bicycles available for guests. Long Island MacArthur Airport is about 51 miles away.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific pricing for The Maidstone varies by room type and season, general room prices range from approximately $183 for a Queen room to over $2,300 for a luxury room. Guests generally rate the value for money as good, with an 8.4 score on Booking.com. When compared to other 4-star hotels in East Hampton, The Maidstone is on average less expensive. The inclusion of a daily breakfast tray and a beach parking permit adds to the perceived value.

8. Common Complaints

While overall sentiment is very positive, one recurring comment regarding room quality is that some standard rooms can be "little small". This suggests that guests seeking more expansive accommodations might consider booking a larger room type or one of the cottages. No other significant recurring issues or criticisms were broadly apparent in the available reviews.

Sources

1. kayak.com
2. hotelsabovepar.com
3. michelin.com
4. planetofhotels.com
5. momondo.com
6. michelin.com
7. tablethotels.com
8. hotels.com
9. booking.com
10. hotels.com
11. booking.com