Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows
"Why book? If you’re looking for carefree days and analog appeals, stay at the Silver Sands. The motel (est. 1957) was taken down to the studs after an intensive renovation and has been lovingly restored to its glory days. The contour of the motel smacks of a faded postcard – but with all the amenities a modern traveler appreciates. Check in for the choose-your-own-adventure essence of camp. Take a late afternoon swim in the Peconic Bay. Nap on your screened-in porch. Sit around the fire pit. Play bocce ball. Rinse off in an outdoor shower. Or simply admire the golden light. Later, a day-into-night menu of fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza and cocktails at Eddies, the on-site eatery, are happily enjoyed by the water. Set the scene A quiet wooded drive ushers you over some railroad tracks where you’re greeted by a throwback neon seahorse (the property’s official mascot) motel sign. Set on 45 acres, including a 1,400-foot swath of sandy shore overlooking Shelter Island– the gleaming new Silver Sands retains its unplugged charms with organic design and lush landscaping. It’s a cinematic setting where, depending on the time of day, you might conjure Italian seaside vibes, faded Borscht Belt nostalgia or a scene from a Wes Anderson movie. A small lobby houses shell-inspired art, books and a handsome bar with drinks (a refreshing Lime Rickey is offered at check-in). Outside, chic loungers and sand-colored umbrellas with peach trim dot the beach; while a cluster of Adirondack chairs sits around a fire pit. A handsome lobster skiff—nicknamed Rani—floats near the shore. Arriving by boat? There’s also a complimentary tender service from the moorings. When it’s time to venture off campus, guest services can arrange sailing, fishing and charters with local boating outfits. You can also set up wine tastings with nearby vineyard darlings like Macari, McCall, Paumonok and Lenz. As for the crowd? A mix of Northeastern creatives and business professionals, couples and families; and also locals enjoying beer buckets and just-plucked Pipe Cove Oysters from the property’s resurrected 15-acre underwater farm. Silver Sands is a labor of love – and in terms of its setting and cuisine, you won’t find anything like it in the North Fork. The backstory Back in its heyday, the motel hosted fashionable travelers, and in the aughts, was known for its retro-inspired fashion shoots. In recent years though, according to most Yelp reviews, the place had fallen into despair and was in desperate need of some TLC. Enter lifelong friends Ryan Hardy (a chef known for his foursome of Manhattan eateries; and hotel stints at The Little Nell and Harborview) and Alexander Perros (who worked on the business side of Holly Hunt and Lindsey Adleman design firms). Last year, the duo — who had long dreamed of opening a hotel together — underwent a 12-month renovation effort with Leroy Street Studio architects and landscape whiz Ed Hollander (responsible for the property's wild, un-Hamptons look). The rooms The motel’s relics (shag carpet, laminate kitchenettes, wood paneling) have been replaced with clean, minimalist details. Around a verdant courtyard, the U-shaped motel’s 20-rooms are dressed in neutrals with pops of yellow, red and seafoam blue. On the east side, queen bedrooms feature tidy living areas and private outdoor gardens; and west side king bedrooms have double-sized closets. All of the cheery, tiled bathrooms include walk-in showers stocked with Flamingo Escape toiletries and striped Ligne Particulier robes. Private beach shacks and bungalows (one-and-two bedrooms) are kitted out with vintage furnishings, cozy reading nooks, binoculars for bird-watching and screened-in porches; beckoning idle days and requisite naps. Befitting of its milieu, there are floral-patterned headboards, Madeline King’s ceramic shell-like lamps and hand-painted room numbers by a South African artist. This autumn, a pair of 3-and-4-bedroom beach houses with kitchens, private gardens and outdoor showers will become available. Food and drink Part of the allure – and surely what sets the Silver Sands apart from other nearby hotels– are its wealth of food and drink options. A cheery snack bar doles out coffee, pastries and grab-and-go sandwiches; and the motel’s original diner will soon offer requisite greasy-spoon fare. Outside, Eddie's, an airy, al fresco restaurant and bar, pairs Hardy’s masterful seafood creations with wood-fired Neapolitan pies and a well-curated wine list. There are also oysters, crudos, lobster rolls and a charcoal-grilled, hyper-local whole porgy. This is simple, refined seaside eating at its best — the mussels escabeche, black bass ceviche and clam pie with broccoli rabe (and lemon) are all musts. The bar is built around the property’s pièce de résistance: a sturdy century-old oak tree (complete with a custom Mill Canvas umbrella and hanging rattan lights). One sultry afternoon, a quick-moving thunderstorm blew in (sending the hotel’s staff scurrying to secure guests' meals) as me and my fellow companions sat safely under the tree’s canopy – with local Macari rosé in hand. Ten minutes later, an eminently Instagrammable rainbow appeared. The neighborhood/area A quick jaunt by car or bike (on the motel’s loaner Public cruisers) whisks you to downtown Greenport. You’ll find fruits and vegetables at Seps Farms, artisanal meats and cheeses at Salumeria Sarto and boutique wines at OneKourt. Burton's Bookstore stocks beach reads and there are boho-flared kaftans at Lido. Hungry? Nab a pint and a dozen half-shells at Little Creek Oysters or drop by Lucharitos for Baja-inspired fish tacos. Later, hop the ferry from Greenport to Shelter Island where you’ll discover hiking trails and over 2,300 acres of tidal creeks and freshwater marshes at Mashomack Nature Preserve. The service Intimately schooled in the art of experience, the Silver Sands owners are hands-on in the day-to-day operations. The service is attentive, friendly and authentically down-to-earth. A shout out to the amicable bartenders at Eddie’s who know a thing or two about cocktails and wine director Theo Lieberman’s fun list of global juices. For families Everyone – including kids – are welcome. In fact, it’s likely you’ll spot Hardy and Perros with their own families on-site. And, with the forthcoming beach houses and an updated swimming pool on its way, it’s safe to assume you’ll find larger family gatherings bookings in the near future. Eco effort The motel is purposefully low-impact; and having eliminated fossil fuels, runs on 100% electricity. There are water-reduction methods and the property uses organic and fair-trade products. Additionally, much of the restaurant’s food is locally-caught, grown and sourced. To promote biodiversity and attract pollinators –aka bees – the property has planted bountiful wildflowers and gardens. Accessibility Because of its ground level, motel-like configuration, the bar and common areas are ADA compliant, as are a handful of the accessible guest rooms. Anything left to mention? While most of the motel rooms overlook a lovely verdant courtyard – spring for one of the corner-facing beach shack rooms with optimal bay views. And while summer is a busy time in North Fork, the all-year round spot will cater to autumn travelers in search of crisp air, cozy lobbyside fires, big red wines and epic outdoor cookouts. Also: non-hotel guests are welcome to dine at Eddie’s but must procure a day pass reservation on Resy." - Kate Donnelly
