The Pridwin Hotel, Shelter Island
"Why book? Shelter Island, situated between the North and South Forks of Long Island, has always had its fans—not least among New Yorkers for whom it’s a two-and-a-half hour drive away. While it doesn’t have the fussy appeal of the Hamptons, it enjoys a whispered allure, as an old-money enclave with a tiny resident community and a certain laidback, if manicured, charm. Open in 2023 for its first full season after a two-year renovation, The Pridwin aims to make a fresh impression, while retaining—and celebrating—its history as a Shelter Island mainstay. With 33 rooms and 16 cottages, it’s also the largest hotel on the island. But its secret weapon is its location: Nestled along Crescent Beach overlooking the Peconic Bay, there’s a sense of being tucked away into a private cove—and given it's built on an elevation, the views are stunning. Set the scene Playful nostalgia is the leitmotif in the Pridwin’s new look: old signboards, ship models, and wicker furniture linger, but exuberant textiles, courtesy of the likes of Pierre Frey and Lisa Fine, and playful wallpaper by Swedish master Josef Frank also bring a touch of modern whimsy. Then there are the colors—banquettes in rich green and window treatments in taffeta pink and white—that are a welcome change from standard coastal palettes. It was meant to feel like an "Adirondacks summer camp for adults,” according to Pridwin’s designer, Colleen Bradshaw. Kids are welcome, of course. Around me, young families played bocce or retired to the game room for a round of Guess Who? But the resort also attracts its fair share of couples who gather around the fireplace in their Doên dresses and Vineyard Vines shirts with bottles of North Fork’s finest. I also saw some locals claim spots on the terrace for a sundowner or few—it’s all very chic and unrushed, without being dull. The backstory The Pridwin has remained a mainstay on the 29-square-mile island for much of its existence. Its ownership has changed hands very few times since it was first built in 1927, but more recently the Petry family that has owned the Pridwin since 1961 partnered with Cape Resorts, which has other seaside renovations to its name like Congress Hall in Cape May and Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor, to revive it. In enlisting Bradshaw, who has designed all of Cape’s properties, the Pridwin’s new aesthetic also sits consistently within the brand’s portfolio. The rooms There are 33 rooms in the main house and 16 private cottages scattered across its 7.5-acre property. While the rooms are just as pretty, for a bit of elbow room book one of their charming oceanfront cottages. We stayed at Red Oak 1, which has the best views of both the pool and the ocean from its sizable deck. Inside, the large living room came with full seating, a small dining table, and a prep counter with a fridge, sink, and built-in mini bar. The vibe is coastal Palm Beach, with botanical textiles, nautical accents (think: vintage oars mounted on the wall), and louvered wooden windows. Our bathrooms were modern with updated fittings (brass) and conveniences (heated floors), and the bedroom felt like a real cocoon—I had the best night’s sleep in a while. Food and drink The hotel’s reimagining includes a new farm-to-table food program, which you can enjoy at Terrace, the restaurant on site that spills out onto a large deck with water views attached. The menu is classic Long Island—shrimp cocktail, char-grilled Atlantic oysters—with a focus on high-quality ingredients sourced from local farms and makers. On our final night, I had a particularly excellent grilled salmon with sweetcorn pudding and baby bok choy, made even better by the ocean breeze and a vesper. We also stepped out a few times: for campari spritzers, fritto misto and people watching at nearby Sunset Beach hotel (which remains the area’s undisputed party spot), and for dinner to Léon 1909, a new restaurant on the island that’s located in a former bank and anchored by a massive, wood-burning hearth—and a top-notch provençal-style menu. And one afternoon, we sprung for lobster rolls and sides at Marie Eiffel Market, a cute cafe and market in the village. The spa Located in the corner of the garden-level wing of the hotel, the spa offers a full suite of treatments and a hammam. Thanks to a booking snafu, I couldn’t enjoy a treatment, but I did have a poke around: Its design borrows from the whimsical spirit of the rest of the hotel with Josef Frank wallpaper and framed bathing suits from the 50s and 60s, and the three treatment rooms offer great views of the garden beyond. The neighborhood/area Just north of a lot of the action, Shelter Island remains one of the quieter parts of Long Island—which means it’s the perfect spot to relax. If you decide to stay put at the hotel, you can laze by the pool, sip wine on the terrace, or take your book to the slim stretch of beach. For busier bodies, there are plenty of activities on offer from kayaks to game rooms and a pickle ball court. But it’d be a shame to not explore the island (and the hotel’s bike program makes it easy). Cycle over to Marie Eiffel for dockside sandwiches or to used-books store Black Cat Books to browse its vintage collections. Further afield, there are beaches like Wade’s Beach that locals frequent and the trails of Mashomack Preserve. But if closer is better, there’s always the Perelman Music conservancy next door that hosts free concerts on many evenings through the summer. The service Don’t expect white-gloved service—that isn’t the vibe here. The staff, some of whom have previously worked at other Cape properties, are young and friendly and do everything they can to offer you the best of the hotel’s offerings. Our favorite amenity by far was the resident boat that’s docked at the hotel’s pier and made available for guests to take to the village, on fishing trips, or across the water to North Fork and Greenpoint. When it came our turn, we were the only ones aboard, and the friendly skipper played all our music requests as we stretched out like cats in the sun. For families While it’s far from a traditional camp, The Pridwin does lend itself to family gatherings on a number of counts. Firstly, the design is unfussy and welcoming. Then there’s the staff that are young and attentive. And finally, there is a whole slew of amenities from ping pong to water sports that lend themselves to multigenerational fun. At the same time, as a couple without kids, we didn’t ever feel like we’d accidentally landed in the wrong spot. And that’s a balance the Pridwin strikes perfectly. Accessibility The hotel has two guest rooms and one cottage that are ADA compliant. The main building has an elevator from the lower lobby servicing the restaurant, bar and all guest rooms, and all public spaces have ADA-accessible restrooms. Additionally, battery-powered golf carts are available on request to help mobility-impaired guests access the seven-acre campus. Anything left to mention? Check for tide times before you head to the beach. During high tide, the water slides all the way up to the chairs and splashes the towels." - Arati Menon
