Known for pampering pooches as well as people, Southampton Inn owner Dede Gotthelf is the kind of B&B keeper who gives guests complimentary rides in her polka-dotted van one mile down the road to Cooper’s Beach—recently ranked the #1 best beach in America by Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr. Beach.” She’ll also offer guests access to sailing at the Southampton Yacht Club (where her son is an instructor), or to windsurfing, motor boat rentals, and a nearby animal sanctuary.
Since purchasing the property from the Passavia family in 1998, Gotthelf has turned the Southampton Inn into a refuge for New Yorkers and international travelers alike. At a recent afternoon party to celebrate the grand opening of the inn’s pool and restaurant OSO, Irish couple Catherine and Tim Daly said they picked the Inn for the relaxing atmosphere, close proximity to the town’s restaurants and shops, and neighboring Sag Harbor. Easily accessible by train and the Hampton Jitney, the Southampton Inn also has plenty of outdoor adventure on the premises.
On-site activities include tennis, volleyball, lawn games, a library with a fireplace and free wifi, a game room for the kids, and a brand new 50-foot outdoor heated pool. Though the Inn’s literature does not boast of their green efforts, Bryan Naylor, executive chef and director of facilities, said the modern American restaurant relies on local (within 100 miles) produce, wine and seafood to create the freshest menu. (The Inn also gets a green thumbs for other things like biodegradable laundry detergents.) Speaking of the higher cost and potential benefits of going green, Bryan explains, “I don’t think it draws anyone in, but I think they appreciate it once they get here.”
Be aware of the two-night minimum stay on weekends and three-night minimum on weekend holidays, with an additional $25 for a pool view and $39 for four-legged guests.
How to get there:
Hampton Jitney welcomes pets in carriers for a $10 charge. Call and see if the hotel van is free to pick you up: 631.283.6500, or walk from the Southampton Jitney stop, about 10 minutes. The LIRR to Southampton is a fine alternative. Weekend rates during peak season start at $256 per night, and $259 for weekday rates.
(Southampton Inn, 91 Hill St., Southampton, NY, 631.283.6500)
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram