White Sands Motel

What made the stay feel like a dream was how welcoming everyone who worked there was. Check-in and checkout were easy, they gave us helpful suggestions for seeing the Montauk July 4th fireworks, and our parking spot was marked with our room number. We also loved the garden out front, full of flowers along the stairs and winding stone paths. The rear courtyard had clean charcoal grills, tables, and lounge chairs, and we used the grills several times. Each morning the sand there had been smoothed out before we walked through to the beach. The beach beyond the dunes was lovely, and even on July 4th it didn't feel crowded. The hotel lends guests chairs and umbrellas, though we didn't know that and brought our own. There are also a few access points nearby used by people who aren't hotel guests. We stayed in an oceanfront suite, with a huge deck above the dunes and a beautiful Atlantic view. There was plenty of space to relax at the patio table or on the lounge chairs under the retractable awning. At night the sky looked wonderful from the deck, with a light ocean spray in the breeze. Inside, everything was comfortable and very clean, from the kitchenette and bathrooms to the dishes, cups, sink, and fridge. I couldn't find dust or stray hairs in the corners, under the couch, in the closet, or in the drawers. We were glad to have both a full bathroom and a separate half bath. The king bed and pillows were very soft. There were AC units in the bedrooms and living area, ceiling fans, sliding glass doors, and windows throughout. We fell in love with the hotel and can't wait to return.

We only booked one night at the last minute while driving to Montauk for a day trip, and ended up wishing we'd stayed longer. The staff were really friendly and helpful. The rooms are basic, but ours had an air conditioner. The grounds are lovely, with an inviting patio, charcoal grills and tables, gardens to wander through, and some funky art installations. Ask for an ocean-facing room, since the view is the reason to stay here. It's simple, quiet, and relaxing, close to Montauk. We're adding it to our local staycation list.

The repeated questions from staff about whether we were staying there got old fast. We passed through the hotel's beach entrance on nearly every trip, and after the second or third time, being asked again was especially irritating in 95-degree heat, with the sun beating down while we tried to reach the ocean. The setting itself is quiet on weekends, which is a real plus, and the hotel sits almost level with the beachfront, so the ocean view is great. It's in a small neighborhood of cute homes, many with for-sale signs and estate-level prices. The White Sands seems aimed at NYC visitors and may suit someone looking to get away from the crowds. It also appears to have been renovated sometime in roughly the last 10 years. It's nice, but nothing special. I stayed over Labor Day weekend with my brother and his wife, who were visiting from the West Coast. I can't recommend the value: the prices are high, as they are around town, but still excessive. The drift wood hotel down the road had bigger, more modern rooms for less. It feels like people end up here when larger, more traditional hotels have no rooms left, though I don't mean that as an insult. The price for what you get is poor.

For more than 30 years, my family has come to White Sands Resort for its "elegant simplicity." The accommodations are excellent, and so are the friendly staff. It has the feel of a European guesthouse beside the Atlantic, a lovely spot to rest, unwind, and reconnect with nature and the ocean. For us, it's simply perfect.