LI PULSE A Room with a view
Change is afoot on the North Fork.
As more out-of-towners discover the serenity that envelops the countryside region, more boutique hotels have sprung up to fill the demand. What hasn’t changed however, is the area’s distinct, almost defiant appreciation for the locale—even Starbucks couldn’t survive in Greenport once it opened across from the locals’ favorite coffee roaster. Above all, North Forkers champion the community, which means the only chain you’ll see is the daisy chain of handwritten signs along country roads advertising farm-fresh eggs. Many of those sign-makers also open their doors to guests, and there’s a growing consensus to make the homestyle experience even more high-end, an approach highlighted by six unique properties that seamlessly combine charm and luxury.
Jedediah Hawkins Inn, Jamesport
Just off the chockablock main road that runs through Jamesport, Jedediah Hawkins Inn stands in a field of its own. The historic Italianate-style house rises from 22 vibrantly landscaped acres as if from the pages of a pop-up book. It’s a wonder that this former sea captain’s house—with its square cupola, twin chimneys and cross gable roof—was set for demolition before investors swept in, reclaiming the derelict architecture. The ensuing restoration was quite sensational, much to the fantasy of fairytale weddings and old-soul travelers with an appreciation for a touch of ceremony.
To that end, the character of the estate is well intact without a trace of stuffiness: floorboards creak comfortably along the ground-floor’s bar, fireplaces charm sun-drenched guest rooms, paintings by local Jamesport artist Max Moran feel evocative and hang at ease. The inn’s restaurant pulls fresh herbs and eggs from their garden and coop and seafood from the surrounding waters. Dipping below the surface, the speakeasy in the flagstone-walled basement is a storied wine cellar rumored to once be part of the Underground Railroad or that the late captain was a gunrunner.
Jedediah Hawkins opened as a designer show house, each of its six rooms embracing different styles. The most exciting is the Belvedere Suite. Accessed by a private twisting staircase, the suite commands the entire third floor and makes the most out of the lofty space. Sloped ceilings and handsome reading nooks are cozily furnished, but it’s the additional flight which steals the show: As the top-floor booking, it’s the only room with access to the perched cupola for a 360-degree view of the bucolic surrounds and neighboring vineyard. Jedediah Hawkins’ outlook, more than a decade after opening, is as fine as ever.