Harborside Motel, A good place from which to explore Montauk.
Written: Sep 21 '04 (Updated Aug 24 '05)
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Pros: Simple place that is very clean, with a nice pool
Cons: A bit off the beaten path. That could be a PRO.
The Bottom Line: This place is good for basic clean rooms after a hard day out of adventuring or relaxing on the beach. It has a clean pool and tennis courts.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Harborside Resort Motel |
Montauk is a special place for my wife and me. We have spent many weeks and weekends exploring and relaxing at this east end of Long Island haven. We have stayed in a number of places that Montauk offers over the years. We have recently made the Harborside Motel our place to stay during our last few visits this year and last.
LOCATION
We have stayed at better located motels. There are a number in Montauk that have sliding doors that open up to the white sand beaches of Long Islands south shore and have commanding views of the ocean. This place is land locked and a couple of miles out of the village of Montauk. There are other motels that are right in the lazy little village of Montauk where you can walk over to a fine bakery for a fine cup of coffee and some early morning breakfast or spend an hour or two shopping on an overcast day.
What the Harborside is near is the Gosman's Dock area of Montauk and all its fine restaurants, pleasure and fishing boats, inlets, and views of the lake and other large bodies of water it offers. There is a deli that is not all that far away and can be walked to.
A Pool, Volleyball, Tennis and More
This two level, 28 room motel is on a relatively quiet road in Montauk. There isn't much vehicular noise to be heard. You are very close to the dock area and may hear the boats as the blow their horns when readying to depart.
The motel is in an L shape and has a gated swimming pool in the common grounds between the rooms. The pool is a nice size with a few tables with umbrellas and chairs and some lounges. The pool is kept exceptionally clean. If you visit, be sure to read the rules and regulations. You may get a laugh or two but the detail will help you understand why the place is so clean.
A volley ball net is available for anyone to use. Just outside the check-in office is a table with all the local papers and advertisements. Maps are available too. Parking has always been available, even when the place is hopping on a very busy summer weekend.
Behind the hotel are two well kept tennis courts. Just go to the office and they will give you a key to get in, first come first served. If you need racquets and balls they charge $10 for half the day for the total set up.
There is also a basketball hoop on the tennis court area. A ball is in the office.
One other thing they do here is invite you to bring your trailered boat and even have a fresh water rinsing area for washing down your boat after use.
The Harborside also has a small covered area with two picnic tables and two bar-b-q grills for your use. Get your own charcoal.
Be sure to ask for a town beach pass and directions if you want to check out places like the world famous surfing beach Ditch Plains.
CHECK-IN
This is a one owner establishment and Merle will be there to greet you in a small office. She is very personable and friendly. Ask her any questions about the area and you will get some good informed answers. Our check-in was quick and friendly.
I'll mention that the rooms were thoroughly cleaned each day and the decks and pool area were clean too.
OUR ROOMS
The rooms are different from each other and there is an ever upgrading process going on. The last room we had offered a queen bed, and an efficiency kitchen all in what would have been one bedroom nice sized bedroom. The appliances closed the room in a bit but it was still just roomy enough. It had a sink, counter top range, under counter fridge, and some closets with pots, dishes, glasses and table ware. It's nice having the convenience, but for us it was useless. When we go to Montauk, we go there to be out all the time, whether eating or adventuring. The carpeting is new and also clean.
Our room last season was all bedroom with no efficiency offerings. It was very comfortably sized. Ask ahead of time for what you may need. The rooms offer a TV with cable, a clock radio, and a coffee maker. Not all rooms have the coffee maker.We did not have an iron and board. There is no Internet service, safe, chocolates on your pillow or turn down service, room service, or min-fridge with overpriced goods. This is a simple place that offers a comfortable bed, some mix and match furniture, adequate storage area, safe location, and a very clean room. The lighting fit our needs for the overall room and night time reading in bed. The shades do let in light. Not much chance of oversleeping at this place. Most of the rooms face the east's and southeast's morning sun.
The bathrooms are VERY small. They have only a stand up shower that is easily regulated and has good pressure. Plenty of modest sized towels were available and the cleaning of the rooms was well done each day. No fancy counter top amenities here. A few small bars of soap and toilet tissue grace the room. After staying at the Harborside I have learned that different rooms have varying facilities.
Update August 2005
We just came back from a three day stay at Merle's Harborside Motel. Once again we were pleased with the place. This time my wife and I stayed in a room with two double beds with two of my daughters. The room was large and so was the bath. We had a small fridge in the room. This was the first time we were upstairs. Those rooms are a bit more open and modern looking. A few larger efficiency rooms are up there too. These go for a bit extra but seem worth the price, especially when compared to most of the Montauk Motels. The pool was as clean as ever. I played a bit of tennis with my brother-in-law who met us out there with his wife. They stayed at the Harborside too. This was their second time and they too enjoyed it and found the place a good value. Let me toss in a collegue of my wife who also came out to Montauk the same week, She too stayed at the Harborside as a repeat customer.
We spent some non-beach hours hanging around the pool. Sometimes it was totally quiet and at other times some kids and adults were playing in it. It was all we needed as we relaxed, read books and had a Meyer's Rum and Coke or three.
IN THE AREA and REASONS To STAY HERE
Montauk has many state and county parks in its borders offering fishing, hiking, camping, and a variety of other things to do. The Montauk Lighthouse that was commissioned by George Washington is a popular tourist site. Be sure to adventure into Camp Hero State Park right next door to the lighthouse, it has some amazing secrets that are now available to be learned. There is a lot of exploring that can be done. My wife caught the bug for surf casting on our last stay.
The Harborside Motel is well located for any of this. All is within ten minutes or much less from the motel. I mentioned you are near the docks with pleasure craft and fishing boats, jet skis, and some fine seafood restaurants too. The motel is just three minutes from Montauk Downs State Park that has a very fine golf course and much more.
There are a few town beaches where parking is limited and you must have a parking permit. Ditch Plains, the surfing site to so many, is one of them. You can get this pass from Merle. She will also note where the beaches are. Be sure to return the passes after your stay so they are available to other guests.
WHY WE HAVE STAYED HERE
There are better choices that give views and overall appeal. This place is simple, we like the owner, it's pretty well located, service is good and the clean rooms give us all we need without high prices. This is also one of the very few motels that has a pool in Montauk. Being able to play some late afternoon tennis on the shaded courts was a special treat for us. If you are looking for an already set romantic atmosphere go elsewhere or work a bit at making romance here. It can be pretty darn good.
Dining in Montauk
Gosman's Dock Restaurant
Gosman's Topside Restaurant
Gosman's Clam Bar
The Lobster Roll, better known simply as "LUNCH"
Five State Parks in Montauk
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Montauk Downs State Park Creature comforts and games
Camp Hero State Park A military base with secrets!
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Shadmore State Park It's Crude!
Block Island A wonderful day trip from Montauk
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Long Island So much to so many
Recommended:
Yes
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