Gurney’s Montauk Review: What to Expect Before You Book
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa is a Montauk mainstay and one of a few luxury properties in The Hamptons. The resort is located on 2,000 feet of private ocean beach with unbeatable ocean views. On top of that? Gurney’s Montauk has a full service restaurant and bar, beach club and seawater spa.
I had the privilege of staying in one of their Ocean Front King rooms for a night in exchange for content creation in October. As you might know I am a Montauk local, so this was a staycation for me but I loved experiencing the fire pits, Scarpetta Beach and their newly renovated seawater spa as a hotel guest!
This review is based on that firsthand experience and is meant to help you decide whether Gurney’s Montauk is the right fit for your trip. I am going to cover the rooms, dining options, seawater spa, beach club, and overall experience, along with who this resort is best for — and when it might not be worth the splurge.
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Who is Gurney’s Montauk Best For?
Gurney’s Montauk is best suited for travelers who are intentionally choosing a resort experience and are comfortable paying a premium for location, amenities, and atmosphere. This is a good fit if your idea of a Montauk trip includes spending real time at your hotel, not just using it as a place to sleep.
It’s especially well-suited for couples looking for a special occasion stay, spa-focused weekends, or trips where ocean views and on-property dining matter. The private beach access, fire pits, and seawater spa make it easy to stay on site and still feel like you’re fully experiencing Montauk.
Gurney’s also works well for shoulder-season and off-season visits. In the fall, winter, and early spring, the spa, oceanfront rooms, and quieter atmosphere become the main draw, and the value feels stronger than during peak summer weekends.
If Gurney’s sounds like the right fit for your trip, you can check current rates and availability below.
Who Gurney’s Montauk Might Not Be Right For?
Gurney’s may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly stay or planning to spend most of your time exploring Montauk rather than relaxing at your hotel. During peak summer season, rates are high, and the resort experience only feels worth it if you plan to take advantage of what’s on site.
It’s also not ideal if walkability to Montauk town is a priority. While the setting is beautiful and secluded, you’ll likely need a car or rideshare to get into town for shopping, casual dining, or nightlife.
If you’re visiting Montauk primarily for surfing, hiking, or being out all day and just want a simple place to sleep, there are other hotels in Montauk that make more sense for that style of trip.
Must Read: The Best Hotels in Montauk for Every Budget
Gurney’s Montauk & Seawater Spa Honest Review
The Rooms:
The resort features 158 rooms, suits and cottages along a 2,000 foot stretch of private beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Gurney’s Montauk offers 20 different room options from a standard two Queen ocean view, a two bedroom oceanfront residence or a three bedroom cottage.
The experience can feel very different depending on where your room is located and what kind of view you book. Brent and I stayed in an Ocean Front King room, which is one of the most sought-after categories on the property.
The biggest draw of the oceanfront rooms is the view. Being able to see and hear the ocean from inside the room changes the entire stay. Upon opening the door to our room for the night we were immediately met with insanely beautiful ocean views. You honestly feel like you are sleeping on the beach next to the ocean! If you’re booking Gurney’s specifically for the setting, this is where the experience starts to feel worth the splurge.
Pro Tip: we slept with the sliding glass door cracked open to hear the ocean waves while we fell asleep.
The room itself felt modern and comfortable, with a layout that prioritized the view rather than extra square footage. It wasn’t oversized, but it didn’t feel cramped, and everything felt well thought out for a short luxury stay. Although the room was pretty standard the view was anything but and worth everything!
If you’re considering an oceanfront room or want to compare room types for your dates, you can check current availability below.
Read about my other Favorite Montauk Hotels on the Beach here!
Dining & Drinks:
Dining is a big part of the Gurney’s experience, especially if you plan to spend most of your time on the property. The resort has multiple on-site dining and bar options that range from more elevated sit-down meals to casual spots where you can grab a drink or eat with an ocean view.
Gigi’s
New to Gurney’s after their 2025 dining room renovations, Gigi’s offers fresh and local ingredients with an emphasis on seafood and steak. The menu is crafted for sharing and is a more fine dining experience for guests.
The restaurant often gets busy on summer weekends, especially at sunset, so reservations are recommended if you plan to dine here while you’re staying at Gurney’s.
I haven’t had the chance to try Gigi’s yet but it is on my list!
Pro Tip: if you’re visiting or eating at Gigi’s in the warmer months you might be lucky enough to get a seat outside on the deck.
The Fire Pits
One of my favorite features of Gurney’s Montauk resort! The fire pits are located on the main deck of the property which overlooks the beach and ocean from above. The deck features one large fire pit and a handful of smaller fire pits with furniture. In the summer there is also a bar that services the outdoor space.
Sip on a speciality cocktail, order a few lite bites, listen to the ocean waves and sit back and relax while you admire the view.
Pro Tip: One of my favorite times to enjoy the fire pits is around the holidays with friends!
Visiting Montauk in the Off Season?
Read my full guide to visiting Montauk in the Winter, Spring and Fall!
Dune Lounge
The Dune Lounge is a lounge and recreation room featuring a small bar, fireplace, pool table and don’t forget those ocean views! This is a favorite when it starts to get a little bit chilly outside! The Dune Lounge is usually fairly quiet so you feel as if you’ve reserved the space just for yourself!
Dune Cafe
Dune Café is a more casual option. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch everyday and offers classic American favorites! The menu features everything from fresh juices, pancakes, eggs, salads, and sandwiches.
Pro Tip: the salads are amazing! I also love the tuna tartare and the short rib sandwich.
Igloos by the Sea
During colder months, the igloos by the sea offer a seasonal way to enjoy Gurney’s outdoor deck when the weather wouldn’t normally allow it. The Igloos are outfitted with a space heater and chic decor. Igloos are rented for 2 hours and have a minimum spend – reservations are encouraged especially in December and holiday weekends.
The Seawater Spa:
The seawater spa is one of the main reasons people choose to stay at Gurney’s, particularly outside of peak summer. It’s designed as a full spa experience rather than a simple hotel amenity, and it feels intentionally separated from the rest of the resort.
Treatments are priced at a premium, which is expected given the setting and reputation, but the overall experience feels consistent with what you’re paying for. This is a spa that works best if you plan to slow down, spend a few hours there, and make it part of your trip rather than a quick add-on.
Recently completely renovated, the new Seawater Spa looks nothing like it did prior to the renovation. The once white and in-need-of-repairs spa now has a beautiful sleek look featuring wood paneling and black accents.
After checking-in for your treatment upstairs, you’ll be lead downstairs to the woman’s or men’s locker rooms to change into a plush robe and rubber slippers. The treatment room I had was quiet and the decor was minimal. I loved the facial I had! You know when they also massage your neck, shoulders and arms? Yup – they did that. (click here for spa menu)
After your treatment you have to experience the new Bathhouse! Another major difference that guests might notice is the spa now features a lot of co-ed areas in the Bathhouse like the relaxation rooms, dry sauna, eucalyptus steam room and new thermal pools.
Speaking of thermal pools… I thought this was a really great addition to the spa. The four thermal pools, heated to 95, 57, 50 and 104 degrees, over look the large salt water pool and the ocean. Plunging from hot to cold and back again is said to have great detoxing benefits on your lymphatic system as well as help with inflammation.
If you’re visiting Montauk in the fall, winter, or early spring, the seawater spa is one of the biggest reasons Gurney’s continues to feel worth the splurge. In summer, it’s more of a complement to the beach club and outdoor spaces, while in colder months it becomes the main attraction.
The Beach Club:
If you’re lucky enough to visit Gurney’s in the summer months the beach is likely where you’ll want to spend a good chunk of your time.
Reserved only for guests, Gurney’s Beach Club is an idlic scene. The beach club is located on Gurney’s own stretch of private beach. The beach at gurneys is groomed each morning and set up with lounge chairs, umbrellas and private cabanas that can be reserved and rented.
There is full food and beverage service down at the Beach Club as well as an on duty lifeguard every day in the summer. Life is good here 🙂
Fun Fact: the outdoor spaces including the beach club have been outfitted by Dior the past two summer!
Booking Advice for Gurney’s Montauk
Gurney’s Montauk is one of the most expensive places to stay in Montauk, especially during peak summer season. Rates can vary significantly depending on the time of year, room type, and whether you’re booking a weekend or weekday stay, so it’s important to go in with realistic expectations.
The resort tends to feel most “worth it” when you plan to take advantage of what’s included — oceanfront setting, beach access, on-site dining, and the seawater spa. If you’re spending most of your time off property or simply need a place to sleep, the price can feel hard to justify compared to other Montauk hotels.
Seasonality makes a big difference. Summer weekends command the highest rates, while fall, winter, and early spring often offer better value, especially if the spa experience is a priority. Shoulder-season stays can feel quieter and more relaxed, with fewer crowds and a stronger sense of space throughout the property.
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