Canoe Place Inn & Cottage — Hotel in Town of Southampton

TL;DR: Canoe Place has a fantastic staff and beautiful venue. However, we deeply regret wasting a valuable holiday here due to a series of negative experiences, which was very strange for the expensive price point. The restaurant is very bad and the dinner was 3 hours of our lives we’ll never get back. The rooms have annoying issues including a lack of soundproofing. Perhaps management will sort these out in time for peak season when they will undoubtedly charge ~$1k per night, but we will not return to find out, given the much better alternatives nearby (full disclosure: the staff was sympathetic and removed various charges, so our dinner and drinks were comped).

The Room: We stayed in the Lawn-View Room. The room is beautiful with thoughtful touches throughout – there was a complementary bottle of sparkling wine (maybe one-off for NYE), bathtub comes with bath salts, nightstands have wireless phone chargers, etc. However, the heated floors in the bathroom didn’t work, the ceiling lights were seizure-inducing due to flickers, and worst of all, there is ABSOLUTELY no soundproofing with the adjoining room. Perhaps we were expected to know this since Lawn-View Rooms can be booked side-by-side to create 2-bedroom suite. Even so, I’m not sure why we were put next to another occupied room? The guests next door weren’t loud at all – but they were chatting all night since it was NYE, and we could hear literally every word, keeping us up all night. Pro tip: don’t book the Lawn-View Room. If you do, bring/ask for ear plugs.

The Restaurant: We completely understand that the restaurant is relatively new and perhaps wasn’t prepared for a large group during a seasonal holiday dinner event, but for the prix fixe price of $135 with no a la carte options, the food was downright bad and the experience was awful. We were the first to be seated in the tavern area by no less than 15 minutes, and we didn't get our last course until I reminded the host that we were sitting in the corner patiently waiting, while watching several tables leisurely go out for a smoke, sip coffee, and get the last course before us. The table next to us got seated 45 minutes after we did, and we ended up getting the last course at the same time. Supposedly our food ticket was lost and/or the dessert station had issues, but what restaurant that charges $135 for a course meal doesn't notice that we've been sitting there before everyone else, long enough to finish our bottle of wine, while everyone is eating the exact same prix fixe menu? Food-wise, the oysters were dried out and lukewarm from sitting out for too long (with caviar on top getting watery from warming up), the crispy rice with tuna was cold and chewy (which we got served twice), bread was doughy and underbaked, bone marrow soup was literally just bone broth, the steak was overcooked to well-done while we asked for medium, and the smoked duck had the consistency of a cardboard box. Ironically the last course that took so long to get, the dessert, was the most normal, perfectly average chocolate cake. Pro tip: don’t go here. If you do, lower expectations.

The Billing: It’s only natural per Murphy’s law that, after all this, we were wildly overcharged for our room that, had we not caught it, would’ve gone unnoticed. In short, the card got charged 2x the amount that we had originally booked for, which, to be fair, was quickly sorted out by the front desk (to reiterate, the staff is fantastic). We’re still not sure how they could have possibly billed us, but I assume it’s a tech issue that will hopefully get fixed over time. Pro tip: trust but verify your bill throughout your stay!

Again, thank goodness the staff was quite kind and sympathetic, but this ruined what should have been a pleasant celebration and a special getaway for us. We won’t be back, but I'm sure it will be a popular destination regardless. For the sake of the amazing staff, we hope the management...

My recent stay at Canoe Place Inn & Cottages in Hampton Bays was nothing short of spectacular, earning it a well-deserved five stars. From the moment we arrived, the historic charm of this beautifully restored property set the tone for an unforgettable experience.|The rooms are absolutely gorgeous, blending modern elegance with cozy, Hamptons-inspired touches. Thoughtful amenities like in-room phone chargers, plush bedding, and spacious layouts made our stay feel indulgent yet comfortable. The attention to detail was evident, with little luxuries like complimentary beach chairs and towels that elevated the experience.|The property itself is stunning, with meticulously maintained grounds that invite relaxation. The pool area was a highlight—pristine, inviting, and perfect for lounging under the sun. The on-site spa was equally impressive, offering a serene escape with top-notch treatments that left us rejuvenated.|Dining at Canoe Place was a delight. The food at Good Ground Tavern was delicious, with fresh, locally-inspired dishes that catered to a variety of tastes. The breakfast spread, in particular, was a standout, featuring everything from fluffy pastries to hearty options.|The staff truly made this stay exceptional. Their warmth, professionalism, and willingness to accommodate every request—from arranging a convenient shuttle into town to ensuring our comfort—made us feel like VIPs. The shuttle service was a fantastic touch, making it easy to explore nearby shops and beaches without the hassle of parking.|Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a relaxing retreat, or a luxurious base for exploring the Hamptons, Canoe Place delivers on every front. The combination of beautiful accommodations, outstanding amenities, and a welcoming team makes this property a must-visit. I highly recommend Canoe Place Inn & Cottages and can’t wait to return!My recent stay at Canoe Place Inn & Cottages in Hampton Bays was nothing short of spectacular, earning it a well-deserved five stars. From the moment we arrived, the historic charm of this beautifully restored property set the tone for an unforgettable experience.|The rooms are absolutely gorgeous, blending modern elegance with cozy, Hamptons-inspired touches. Thoughtful amenities like in-room phone chargers, plush bedding, and spacious layouts made our stay feel indulgent yet comfortable. The attention to detail was evident, with little luxuries like complimentary beach chairs and towels that elevated the experience.|The property itself is stunning, with meticulously maintained grounds that invite relaxation. The pool area was a highlight—pristine, inviting, and perfect for lounging under the sun. The on-site spa was equally impressive, offering a serene escape with top-notch treatments that left us rejuvenated.|Dining at Canoe Place was a delight. The food at Good Ground Tavern was delicious, with fresh, locally-inspired dishes that catered to a variety of tastes. The breakfast spread, in particular, was a standout, featuring everything from fluffy pastries to hearty options.|The staff truly made this stay exceptional. Their warmth, professionalism, and willingness to accommodate every request—from arranging a convenient shuttle into town to ensuring our comfort—made us feel like VIPs. The shuttle service was a fantastic touch, making it easy to explore nearby shops and beaches without the hassle of parking.|Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a relaxing retreat, or a luxurious base for exploring the Hamptons, Canoe Place delivers on every front. The combination of beautiful accommodations, outstanding amenities, and a welcoming team makes this property a must-visit. I highly recommend Canoe Place Inn & Cottages and can’t...

DELIGHTFUL

Finally, a real gem.

This team GETS IT.

I rarely write reviews, but this experience warrants one.

We were looking for a hotel to properly celebrate a milestone. And after much research, we decided on the newly restored Canoe Place.

We are SO glad we did.

First off, the staff at Canoe Place desires to provide guests with a memorable experience.

They understand what it takes, and they deliver!

From the room details, to the on-site restaurant (Good Ground Tavern), to housekeeping - everything was top notch.

At check-in, we were greeted by name. Rare - and just the start of the reliable, consistent hospitality that adds up to make an experience not just good, but actually memorable.

For our milestone, there was availability to enhance our stay with a suite. And what a difference it made - the suite allowed our baby to sleep in the adjoining space.

This allowed us to even just watch TV in the evening (parents needing a restorative break get that even this is a treat).

The room was great and showed a high level of care in each element of its design.

Not just the major items (like furniture), but the small details that really add shine.

All of this together really showed the level of thought and detail that went into designing and ensuring a comfortable stay.

For instance - the in-room coffee station uses Bernardaud cups and saucers (could have just been any regular brand), postcards with stamps on them (makes it about 3x as likely to get mailed), and even the in-house pencil was great (Black Wing).

Reminiscent of the continental breakfasts you get at lovely European boutique hotels before you head out for the day, the breakfast was great. Including La Fermiere yogurt, and Natalie's OJ.

Side note - getting a decaf oat latte that is actually decaf (doesn't keep you up 12-hours later) - and that tastes good - was such a treat. This decaf nails it. For everyone needing a caffeine hit, my husband said his regular cappuccino and coffee were great too (La Colombe with Pacific Oat Milk).

The Lobster Roll needs a particular shout out because it was excellent.

From Newport to Maine, we've had lobster rolls everywhere - and this one is so worthy. (And easily the best of the ones we had throughout the trip.)

The housekeeping team clearly takes pride in their work - everything is pristine. This is on top of everything already feeling fresh and bright as the hotel is new.

So - clearly, this is a great hotel. But we’ve stayed at solid hotels all over the place.

What makes Canoe Place shine is the team.

Real hospitality can be hard to get right - because it needs to be genuine, and consistent.

This team gets it right.

From valet, to front desk, restaurant staff, director of guest experience, and Hotel GM, who made sure to check in along the way - everyone was friendly and helpful.

You really felt like people wanted to make your stay great - like you're truly their guest.

And in particular, Molly Fargo, Front Desk Manager - deserves a spotlight.

She was integral in ensuring our trip was great.

She was thinking ahead each day to make sure we were taken care of.

Just a couple of examples - and a particular highlight - we had a pack-and-play for our daughter to sleep in. Molly instead had a (great) crib set-up immediately.

And our baby slept SO WELL throughout. (Which meant I could sleep too.)

And at breakfast, our baby got a super cute stuffed animal with a Canoe Place ribbon bow for her birthday. SO sweet.

The team really made it an excellent trip away and the stay was worth every minute.

What else is there to say? Go. You'll be...