A Sense of Arrival

There is no formal front desk at The Roundtree. No marble lobby. No transaction. You are greeted personally, often with a refreshment, and then guided through the bucolic grounds to your accommodations. A staff member offers a walkthrough of your room, shares a few thoughtful recommendations for the area, and then retreats. Suddenly, you are alone in your own private corner of the world, the property’s hammocks and outdoor seating areas an invitation to exhale.

This is the hospitality vision of Sylvia Wong, The Roundtree’s proprietor, and it is exceptional. Wong has conceived of a place that feels less like a hotel and more like the most stylish, most beautifully appointed home you’ve been fortunate to borrow. The staff are an extension of that vision: ready to assist with any request, genuinely warm and sincere. I felt, during my entire stay, as though I had my own personal staff — attentive without hovering, present without intruding.

The Rooms and Amenities

Each accommodation at The Roundtree is distinct. Guest rooms, suites, and a standalone cottage share that same muted, warm, organic aesthetic of soft textiles in calming tones; understated furnishings; intentional art and a scattering of coffee table books. The beverages in your mini bar are complimentary, as are the local snacks and the Nespresso coffee. If you’re in the mood for a latte or cappuccino, the reception area features a commercial grade espresso maker. This is where you’ll also find freshly baked cookies every afternoon, and a freezer stocked with pints of New York City’s Van Leeuwen ice cream, an IFYKYK item. And if you’d like a glass of wine? Simply ask. The answer, I was delighted to discover, is yes.

Frette supplies the cozy bed linens, robes and slippers. Bath towels are by Matouk. Bath products are by Grown Alchemist. And each room features a Ralph Lauren patchwork throw, the perfect item to fling over your shoulders while making s’mores at the lawn firepit as the evening cools and the stars begin to appear. The morning brings a beautiful complimentary continental breakfast of freshly baked pastries, bagels, yogurt parfaits, and fruit. Additional egg dishes are available for heartier appetites.

When you’re ready to head out, bicycles are available. (And they are top quality; not the clunky, beat up cruisers often found in complimentary fleets.) Beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas are available too; the hotel will arrange a full beach setup on request.

The Beach House

For guests seeking the ultimate in privacy and space, The Roundtree’s private Beach House is five minutes away in the prestigious Amagansett Dunes neighborhood. Built in the 1960s by architect Alfred Scheffer, this 2,700-square-foot retreat was originally owned by the Tony Award-winning playwright Neil Simon — rumor has it that Barefoot in the Park was written here, along with Brighton Beach Memoirs and Lost in Yonkers. Once you’ve experienced the golden hush of twilight over the ocean from that patio, it becomes entirely believable. Four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a wood-burning fireplace, outdoor shower, and direct beach access via private pathways — it requires a two-week minimum during summer season, and it’s worth every day.

The Town

The Roundtree’s location, just off the village center, means that the whole of Amagansett is essentially your backyard, which constitutes a significant amenity in itself. Il Buco al Mare is steps away, and a coveted reservation in any season. The Row sits unobtrusively along Main St., as understated as its fashions. Stephen Talkhouse, the legendary Amagansett music venue and bar, is just down the street. Grab a seat and you might end up serenaded by a drop-in pop or movie star. And Rowdy Hall, a go-to Hamptons gathering spot, is known for its relaxed pub atmosphere.

Nourish: A New Table Worth Knowing

Wong extends her Hamptons reach this spring with the opening of Nourish by The Roundtree, in nearby Bridgehampton. It’s led by Executive Chef Dewa Wijaya whose Balinese heritage and classical French training meet the extraordinary bounty of the East End. (The Hamptons are well-known for beaches and sunshine, but this region is also fertile farmland and home to celebrated farmers markets.) Wijaya spent more than twenty years with COMO Hotels and Resorts developing health-forward menus for global tastemakers, and here, the inspiration is just steps away. Partnering with Balsam Farms, Gosman Farms, and local fishermen, he’s built an exciting menu: The Roundtree Toast with house made vegetable, almond and flaxseed crisp, avocado, tomato, and cucumber; Flame-Grilled Jumbo Prawn with chickpea carrot purée and toasted almonds; Local Sea Bass Steamed in ginger sauce, shitake mushroom, bok choy, and red rice. For the classicists, a Lobster Roll and Grilled Acabonac Farm Sirloin honor the locale.

The beverage program is equally playful — classic cocktails alongside inventive zero-proof options, French Bloom alcohol-free wine, and house-made kombuchas crafted by Wijaya himself. With 120 seats spread across a warmly lit dining room, a 20-seat bar, and an outdoor garden, there’s a spot for every mood. Guests of The Roundtree get priority reservations. Just one more reason to book a room.

The Lasting Impression

I’ve stayed at some impressive hotels and resorts around the globe. None of them made me feel quite the way The Roundtree did: unhurried and cared for. This is Sylvia Wong’s gift: a hospitality philosophy built on genuine warmth, extraordinary attention to detail, and a deep understanding that what people actually desire, more often than not, is simply to feel at home. The Roundtree is that rarest of things: a hotel that delivers on this promise completely.

Photos courtesy of The Roundtree