TL;DR

Family-owned: Montauk motel since the 1970s.
Stylish glow-up: by Home Studios in 2020.
Chill minimalist vibe: with boutique flair.
Cool social areas: with fire pits and pool.
Check prices here

This central Montauk motel is – there’s no other word for it – cool.

It’s like a friend invites you to stay the weekend in their family’s Hamptons’ summer home – if that home was originally a motel and somebody in the family is a designer for Home Studios in Manhattan.

Reality isn’t too far off. Sure, they just hired Home Studios, but Daunt’s Albatross is a family-owned establishment that’s been part of the Daunt line since the ’70s.

A 2020 glow-up brought the motel decisively into the boutique scene, with a casual minimalism that makes for a superb stay.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 24.
Cozy Queens: start at 210 sq ft.
Spacious suite: sleeps up to six guests.
Charming decor: with antiques and sea tones.
Modern comforts: like mini-fridges, HDTVs, and Parachute linens.
See each room in detail here

As an older building, the smaller rooms definitely live up to the ‘cozy’ designation, but they are still comfortable.

We’d hate you to spend the entirety of a Montauk vacation inside, anyway.

The smallest is a 210 square foot Queen, the largest a one-of-a-kind 2-bedroom suite that can sleep up to 6. They all share a white, wood and sea-colors decor scheme that’s both friendly and calming.

They all feature mini-fridges, HDTVs, individual climate control, Parachute textiles and select, super-charming, antiques.

The Coyuchi throws on each bed are a nice extra. On colder days, we wouldn’t blame you for wearing around the room like a snuggly little cape.

Bathrooms are generally decked out in aquamarine or sapphire tiles, sporting charming touches like well-lit vanities with custom-made mirrors and Public Goods bath amenities.

Some rooms have full bathtubs, others kitchenettes with Chemexes and electric kettles. There’s even an ADA option with a roll-in shower.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Bird on the Roof: serves brunch and cocktails.
Grill area: and fire pits for social cooking.
Saltwater pool: for a relaxed swim.
Kitchenettes available: in select rooms.

During said 2020 renovation, the Daunt’s owner managed to get the family-run restaurant next door in on the fun.

The Bird on the Roof is a laid-back but gorgeous little spot with a superb weekend brunch and an extensive cocktail menu.

We highly recommend working a Saturday or Sunday into your stay so you have a chance to experience it yourself.

The dinner menu is fairly limited, but what it lacks in variety is makes up for in quality.

Or, snag a room with a kitchen and go all-in on cooking for yourself. There’s a common grill area where you can meet other travelers and test out your seafood grilling skills.

One step over from the grilling area slash fire pit is the saltwater pool, a nice spot for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with the Atlantic’s waves (us, we mean us).

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

South Edison Beach: just a short walk away.
Bikes included: for exploring Montauk Point or Star Island.
Shops, cafés, and breweries: nearby in Montauk town.
Easy access: to East Hampton, Greenport, and ferries.

If wrestling angry water is how you prefer your swimming, South Edison Beach is an easy walk. Even if you’ll save your swimming for the pool, it’s a great place to sun a bit.

Beach cruisers come with the reservation, and depending on how far you want to go, they can make your vacation.

The ride out to Montauk Point is a half-hour of seaside beauty, and getting lost in the 20-minute ride to Star Island is a great adventure.

Or, stay in town. The motel is in the middle of a nice selection of cafés, restaurants, and chichi boutiques. Montauk Brewing Company is a popular place for a beer, just around the corner.

Route 27 will bring you towards Hither Hills for some excellent walking trails.

In East Hampton you’ll find more of the parties and the type of upscale vacation that everyone treats as gauche but secretly wants.

The ferries between Greenport, Sag Harbor and Shelter Island are accessible from there as well.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“This isn’t a typical motel. Daunts Albatross Motel is one of the most beautiful motels I’ve ever stayed at. It was very clean, the staff was so friendly & the location is just perfect. I typically don’t write reviews but Daunts deserve one. My friends and I think about coming back in spring and we will for sure book our stay at Daunts….”

“This really was a gem of a find on our holiday, lovely place with exceptional facilities. They have gone out of their way to turn this from a motel to a boutique style hotel and it works! the communal fire pits were a real treat to and a great way to meet people over an afternoon drink. The breakfast voucher at Bird on the Roof was a great touch too…..”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Rooms were a bit dirty, there was some weird splatter on the wall (probably from the previous guests). The table and chairs in the room weren’t very comfortable. If you’re planning to use the room to work remotely, it isn’t the best….”

”No place in the bathroom to even put your toothbrush. Heater makes the loudest noise so you better not go during cold season…”

> Read all the reviews right here