Walking into The American Hotel feels like stepping into a time capsule. This is an old-world hotel in every sense of the phrase, one whose story stretches back to the height of Sag Harbor’s whaling industry, when the village was one of the busiest ports on the East Coast and this stretch of Main Street was thick with sailors, merchants, and the smell of whale oil rendering down at the docks. That history is still present in the building today, in the wood, the brick, the bones of the place, and it’s part of what makes a visit here feel different from anywhere else in the Hamptons.
Simply put, The American Hotel is iconic.
There’s covered outdoor seating right on the street, perfect for watching the action of Main Street unfold in front of you, or you can sit inside and enjoy a fabulously stylish experience surrounded by the hotel’s old-world charm.
We started with the shrimp cocktail, which was ice cold and fresh. The lobster bisque was out of this world, rich and filled with lobster, the kind of dish you find yourself thinking about days later. We also tried the American Hotel burger, which comes out on a Thomas’ English muffin and was perfectly juicy from the first bite to the last. And the local flounder was a huge standout, served with shaved almonds and fresh potatoes in a way that felt both elegant and completely unfussy.
None of this happens by accident. The American Hotel has been a Sag Harbor fixture since Ted Conklin took over the property in 1972 and turned it into the legendary institution it is today, complete with one of the most celebrated wine cellars in the country. Since his passing earlier this year, his wife, Susie Franklin, has carried the torch as the hotel’s CEO, and it shows. Susie is the sweetest woman in the world, and it’s clear how much she loves the community of Sag Harbor. It’s just as clear that the community loves her right back.
That’s really what sets The American Hotel apart. It attracts everybody and anybody, and somehow, no matter who you are, you’ll fit right in amongst luxury. It’s a place where you really feel special. The American Hotel is one of the best places you can go in the Hamptons, full stop. I’ll be back again. It’s one of my favorite places to eat in the Hamptons, and every single time I’m there, it’s a special experience.
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