The East End’s Hedges Inn Makes a Stylish Comeback

The beloved 13-room Hamptons hotel has reopened after a refined — and refreshingly glamorous — update

Words by KERSTIN CZARRA

The Hedges Inn

What do you get when a dynamic Palm Beach doyenne comes to stay with her preppy East Hampton cousin? Hotelier couple Andrew and Sarah Wetenhall got the chance to answer this question when they refreshed and reopened the historic East Hampton HEDGES INN earlier this year. After their success restoring The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, the Wetenhalls were ready for their next adventure: a thoughtful revival of this 13-room retreat, originally established in 1873. The reimagined landmark is classic East Coast Americana seen through a colorful Slim Aarons lens. “The Hedges has its own voice,” Sarah says. “It’s about honoring what’s already here and helping it become the very best version of itself.”

Indeed. Guests are treated to a suite of thoughtful amenities, including beach butlers, branded bicycles, and electric Volvos for quick spins around town. There’s even a texting concierge named Ahab, a witty wink to artist Jackson Pollock’s beloved dog. Community-driven programming includes beach bonfires, trivia nights, and Conversations at The Hedges — a speaker series that nods to East Hampton’s literary past. “It’s an experience that feels more like staying at a friend’s impeccably designed home than a hotel,” Sarah says.

The in-house restaurant, a second outpost of Manhattan’s beloved Swifty’s (the first is at The Colony) has quickly become a magnet for great meals and even better people-watching. Set in a magical garden setting and with locally sourced ingredients, American and Continental classics like Maryland crab cakes, chicken curry salad, and chilled lobster with green goddess dressing come with a side of seasonal florals by Lewis Miller and Schumacher linens. The buzzy mix of celebrity locals and business titans in shorts-and-chill mode make your meal feel like the best table in town. Be sure to fuel up with breakfast (it’s on the house) before heading to Main Beach — that’s how the locals do it. thehedgeseasthampton.