A guide to the Hamptons

By Andrew Stone | 16 October 2025 | 3 minute read

View of a beach path in The Hamptons NY

Why the Hamptons?

Ask any seasoned New Yorker and they’ll tell you: the key to loving the city is occasionally leaving it. Just a few hours from Manhattan, the Hamptons are Long Island’s playground of picture-perfect villages, sprawling mansions, and seafood shacks that take their lobster rolls very seriously. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby captured its glamour perfectly and not much has changed.

Where to stay in the Hamptons

For a slice of your own East End luxury, start with Hamptons Rentals or Home Away. Both offer everything from beachfront bungalows to Gatsby-grade mansions. Big names like Corcoran and Douglas Elliman also list swoon-worthy summer homes, while FlipKey and Airbnb serve up more casual stays with plenty of charm.

Window shopping in the Hamptons

Best hotels in the Hamptons

Should you prefer to go the hotel route, we first and foremost recommend The American Hotel in Sag Harbor — as lovely and classically all-American as can be in the centre of this former whaling village. Gurney’s Montauk Resort imbues your stay away with luxurious spa treatments, dramatic views, and fresh seafood at the on-site Scarpetta Beach, a sister restaurant to Manhattan’s much celebrated Scarpetta. Meanwhile, the Capri Hotel in Southampton combines all the right elements for cosmopolites on holiday with sleek, upscale room amenities and a great location near the region’s top bars, shops, and eateries (not to mention The Bathing Club, a beautiful pool and manicured sun-soaking oasis). The Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton is a luxury hostelry, complete with a spa, heated pool, an on-site restaurant, house vehicles by Lexus, and beautifully appointed rooms.

Lighthouse in Montauk, NY

Best places to eat and drink in the Hamptons

Come hungry. Nick & Toni’s in East Hampton is a timeless favourite with a menu of upscale comfort food. While East Hampton Grill serves up refined US comfort classics. Almond in Bridgehampton champions local ingredients in a buzzy, relaxed setting. And if you prefer pints to pinot, Dancing Man Brewery in Southampton has you covered.
 

Whether you’re here for a cheeky weekend or the whole summer, the Hamptons are your ticket to living the good life. The only thing left to do? Get there in style. Virgin Atlantic can help with that.

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