Latest news with #MontaukYachtClub
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Coffee: The Essential ‘Perk' Of A Perfect Hotel Or Resort Stay
Lavazza, an Italian manufacturer of coffee products, was founded in Turin in 1895 by Luigi Lavazza. getty When you wake up at the Montauk Yacht Club in the Hamptons, you can smell the rich aroma of the in-room machine brewing your morning cup of coffee. On top of the minibar in every room, guests will find an espresso machine by Lavazza, the venerable, family-owned, Turin-based coffee company. A variety of coffee pods, filtered water, and eye-catching porcelain espresso cups accompany the service. Sipping the coffee on your patio or deck with the sun beaming on the water, you might forget you are on Long Island and harken back to memories of a stay on the Italian Riviera. Many cultures worldwide begin the day with a coffee ritual, whether at home or traveling. A 2025 report by the National Coffee Association (NCA) found that two-thirds of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee each day, with the average American coffee drinker consuming three. Waking up to a disappointing cup of coffee at a luxury hotel or resort can leave a bad taste. Not just literally. It can also negatively affect a guest's overall impression of their stay. The mere thought of enduring a week or more of watery, tasteless, or bitter coffee can be daunting. Negative comments slamming in-room coffee service abound on Reddit threads and Tripadvisor reviews. 'As I sit here in my room at…with my little cup of brown liquid that tastes of regret and despair, I wonder, 'Why do hotels even bother with this?' Hotel coffee sucks 95% of the time,' wrote one Reddit user. The industry publication International Communicaffe found that two-thirds of consumers judge the quality of a hotel or restaurant based on the quality of their coffee. It can also affect rebooking decisions. As coffee lovers become more knowledgeable and discerning about the sourcing, roasting, brewing, sustainability and taste of coffee, this creates pressure on the hospitality industry to meet their expectations. As a result, hoteliers are upping their game when it comes to coffee service. The American Penchant For All Things Italian, Including Coffee Vintage Vespa Scooter getty Italy is renowned for its sophisticated style and taste, which permeate various aspects of its culture, including fashion, food, wine, and automobiles. This "Made in Italy" ethos also extends to its celebrated coffee culture. Coffee in the Bel Paese has been an integral part of Italian life since the early 20th century. "Enjoying an espresso or cappuccino is not just a routine—it is a moment to slow down and savor," says Daniele Foti, Lavazza North American Marketing Vice President. This sentiment, he says, encapsulates Lavazza's "La Dolce Vita" philosophy, which celebrates the beauty of everyday life found in small, intentional pleasures. Looking at trends, the NCA report found that consumption of espresso-based beverages (which include cappuccinos, espressos, lattes, caffe mochas, macchiatos, flat whites and Americanos) increased by a whopping 17% from 2020 to 2025. Foti believes that Americans are drawn to Italian coffee, not just for its quality and flavor, but also for the cultural experience it represents, which includes authenticity, simplicity, and connection. Lavazza: A Case Study of Italian Coffee's Hospitality Expansion Lavazza Cafe at Montauk Yacht Club Lavazza To expand its footprint in the U.S., Lavazza has been developing partnerships with properties and companies whose values resonate with those of the coffee maker. Initial partners include the Four Seasons, Ennismore, Dinex Group, Paris Baguette, Eataly, Princess Cruises and high-profile events like the U.S. Open, Art Basel, Aspen One, and Taste of SLS. Lavazza tailors its offerings to each partner from a menu that can include espresso-based beverages, cold brew, specialty drinks and brewed coffee made with Lavazza premium blends. They may even train baristas. For example, at the Montauk Yacht Club, Lavazza designed a 360° coffee experience. Touchpoints at the resort include a branded cafe/market, in-room coffee kits, a poolside cart, and a custom Lavazza-infused dining and cocktail menu with items such as tiramisu, chilled mousse, and espresso martinis. A Lavazza Tiramisu Martini Lavazza Hotel Clio, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Denver's Cherry Creek section, also selected Lavazza as their preferred coffee source. 'The array of blends and single-origin coffees is among the best in the world in terms of flavor and consistency,' says Christopher Polys, Marketing Manager. He explains that the Luxury Collection has its own Italian heritage, originating from the brand Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi (CIGA). The Clio Hotel offers Lavazza in-room espresso and 24-hour drip in the lobby, using the Lavazza Crema line, which is suitable for classic on-the-go American coffees that use milk and sugar, he says. Waking up at the Hotel Clio Denver Hotel Clio The hotel's in-house restaurant, Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval, uses the Top Class line for desserts, like Toro's Mexican Affogato, and highlights the coffee with a complementary chocolate pairing at the hotel's 'Tuesday Epicurean Moments'. A Winning Marketing Strategy Coffee at home getty Hospitality partnerships like these upgrade the consumer coffee experience and, by association, simultaneously enhance the prestige of the property/company serving it. 'Guests in the luxury segment today expect excellence in the smallest details,' says Leah Miller, a marketing strategist with Versys Media. 'Coffee is no longer just a wake-up call; it's an aesthetic and sensory extension of the brand.' The Italian ritual of stopping at a favorite bar before work for a quick espresso or cappuccino accompanied by a sweet pastry is still familiar in Italy. However, most coffee consumption in the U.S. and Italy takes place at home. Lavazza's win-win hospitality partnerships also pay off in sales by introducing (or reintroducing) hotel and resort guests to its premium Italian coffee brand, which they can enjoy at home or away.
Forbes
14-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Montauk Yacht Club: Casual Elegance In The Hamptons
Patio at Montauk Yacht Club with view of the sandy beach Montauk Yacht Club Especially enchanting in summer, Montauk Yacht Club blends contemporary flair with its classic coastal heritage. Set on a glimmering lake with a sandy beach, this seaside sanctuary is luxurious but understated. Montauk is a hamlet on the easternmost tip of Long Island's South Shore, administratively part of the town of East Hampton. Conde Nast Traveler named Montauk one of the 17 best beach towns on the East Coast. Although officially part of the fabled Hamptons, Montauk's distinct character derives from its rich maritime history and geography. The community is often characterized as more relaxed, down-to-earth, and less crowded than its trendy neighbors. Its beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound are more rugged, and visitors are more likely to find surf shops than posh boutiques. The downtown area looks like a fishing village with less pretentious eateries than elsewhere in the Hamptons. However, Vanessa Gordon, founder and publisher of East End Taste magazine, who resides on the East End, observes that Montauk has been changing over the past few summer seasons. 'More and more high-end properties, and upscale brands and businesses are heading further East, and the crowds are certainly booming more than ever,' she says. 'Although it still has that seaside charm and a strong local community, Montauk is getting a significant 'bougie' uplift.' The newly renovated Montauk Yacht Club is leading the pack. Aerial view of the sprawling grounds of Montauk Yacht Club and the marina Montauk Yacht Club Montauk Yacht Club has a storied history. In the 1920s, Developer Carl Fisher purchased 10,000 acres of land, hoping to create a 'Miami Beach of the North.' The developer is credited with putting Montauk on the map as a resort destination, investing in the area's infrastructure and roads. Fisher created the Montauk Yacht Club, a private social club on Lake Montauk that attracted wealthy families like the Astors, Whitneys, and Vanderbilts among its members. But his own wealth was short-lived. He was left virtually penniless after the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the club he founded struggled over subsequent decades with multiple changes in ownership. The club's renaissance began in 2018 when it opened as Gurney's Star Island Resort & Marina, following significant renovations aimed at restoring the grandeur of the past. The 35-acre resort's second rebirth began when Safe Harbor Marinas, owner of the largest boating network in the world, acquired the property in 2022 for $149.4 million, making it the largest realty sale in Hamptons history. The company made a massive investment, estimated at $13 million, in a total facelift of the guest rooms, villas, indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, and other public spaces. The Montauk Yacht Club reopened under its historic name on Memorial Day Weekend in 2023. Proper Hospitality, which operates a collection of independent, luxury, design-driven hotels, took over management. The property includes 219 slips on Lake Montauk at the largest marina in the Hamptons, which can accommodate vessels as large as 300 feet. Set on a scenic peninsula extending into the lake, the resort includes 106 guest rooms housed in two separate two-story buildings. Rooms have private balconies or patios with views of the lake, a private sandy beach, or the courtyard and gardens. Families and groups can stay in one or more of five fully restored 'cottages,' each with 2-9 bedrooms. Originally built in 1928, this enclave is located on the former Ziegfeld Estate, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cottages have access to the Great Lawn, a Great Lawn Pool, and tennis courts. The tasteful guest room renovation includes natural white woods complemented by soft colors—grays, tans and pale blues—that reflect nature's coastal palette. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors draw attention to expansive water views and invite you to sit on comfortable outdoor lounge furniture. Spacious bathrooms have plush linens and Aesop amenities. The rooms are not only beautiful but also functional, with more than adequate drawers and horizontal space. Euro-top Chadfield Beautyrest mattresses assure restful sleep. Bathrooms with stall showers are spacious and thoughtfully curated minibars featuring local products, and each room has a Nespresso machine with aromatic Lavazza capsules. Chef Jarad McCarroll in the open kitchen of the Ocean Club Montauk Yacht Club Ocean Club Montauk is the resort's signature restaurant and bar, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. A favorite of locals, too, guests can dine inside, outside, or beside the pool, all with 180° views of the marina. The seasonal menu from award-winning South African Chef Jarad McCarroll emphasizes fresh, local seafood and produce from nearby farms. Many dishes prepared in the open kitchen are wood-fired over a grill. Intimate nook for coffee and snacks at The Market Lavazza In partnership with Turin-based coffee maker Lavazza, The Market looks like a cross between a mercato and an Italian coffee bar. Its vibrant colors and colorful decor make you feel like you are living La Dolce Vita. In addition to gourmet groceries, the market serves up sandwiches, snacks, freshly brewed specialty coffees and more, either for a quick bite or to take on a picnic or boat ride. Like other Proper hospitality locations, Montauk Yacht Club prioritizes health and well-being. Guests have 24/7 access to a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, and the Cabana Spa, partnering with Sisley Paris, provides massages, yoga, and breathwork, with instructional programs available seasonally. Scenic walkways and jetties invite leisurely sunset strolls. The resort boasts indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and sand volleyball courts, and new Padel courts. Other complimentary offerings include kayaking, paddle boarding, a harbor cruise on a private boat (owned by Safe Harbor) and use of Linus bikes for exploring. One of the boats in the house fleet that takes guests on sunset cruises Montauk Yacht Club The marina is easily accessible for boating, fishing expeditions, and leisurely excursions. The attentive staff readily assists guests in finding nearby beaches, surf spots, hiking trails, and golf courses. Ultimately, Montauk Yacht Club offers a pampered, stress-free environment that entices first-time guests to return and stay longer, drawn by Montauk's relaxation and recreational allures.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
A Revived Montauk Yacht Club Goes Extra Dog Friendly
Newly renovated, the Montauk Yacht Club has been a Hamptons staple for nearly a century. Dogs, like us, are quirky characters and come with all variety of tastes and habits. Your wonderful dog may or may not hanker to break routine and go on holiday. Your dog typically may not enjoy swimming either, nor even appreciate an oceanside get away. But your highly-adaptable dog can change their spots, and definitely will get a kick out of your stay together at the Montauk Yacht Club in the far reaches of the Hamptons. In this new world of super dog friendly establishments, you couldn't ask for a more happy romping ground than these 16 acres that front Lake Montauk and the Hamptons' largest marina, all of which under a handsome lighthouse belong to this newly-revitalized historic hotel on the eastern tip of Long Island. Officially an artificial embayment now, the estuarine Lake Montauk hasn't been a lake, in fact, since developer Carl Fisher in his late-1920s quest to make Montauk into a sport fishing Mecca and the Miami of the North broke through to Block Island Sound and Atlantic waters. There was a short time when the likes of names like Ford, Morgan, Vanderbilt and Astor made a retreat here, while Lindbergh often landed a seaplane onto the 'lake.' The Ocean Club Montauk restaurant & bar is a completely new element to the Montauk Yacht Club. The Proper Hospitality group has managed the Montauk Yacht Club (or MYC) since Safe Harbor Marinas' $149 million purchase of the property in 2023, a Hamptons record price for those keeping count. Following a soft opening last summer, the 107 guest room MYC has just reopened for this coming summer season. The MYC's modest lobby nicely doesn't scream hotel, and staff wear no corporate-looking name tags. Hotel hall and corridor walls are lined with vintage black and white photos of fishermen, early-century pilots and beach scenes, all provided courtesy of the Montauk Library archives. Reached via a split level, the main building's upper and lower rooms are bathed in light with white plank paneling and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to balconies. Some private cabana-like patio rooms lead right out to the small beach or face the piers. The all-white linens feature simple marine piping and bathrooms carry the Australian Aēsop line of body care products. As super friendly as MYC staff are to dog guests, you might think they were hired on that basis. And dogs will make plenty of other canine friends, whether around the fire pit with its Adirondack chairs under the property's signature lighthouse, or walking down one of the piers as they check out multimillion-dollar vessels docked in 232 slips. Romping the property's Great Lawn with its summer pool may well become your dog's favorite game. The Montauk Yacht Club and Sisley Paris have partnered for summer on the spa cabanas. Beyond that Great Lawn stand a cluster of somewhat Dutch-looking 1928 cottages that made up the original Ziegfeld that Ziegfeld. Currently, some of the structures—all of which are on the National Register of Historic Places—are being converted from a hodgepodge of rooms into suites. You are on Star Island here, which since Mr. Fisher's lake dredging and landfill is actually a peninsula. You're also next to a fine 1950s Coast Guard Station that sits before a plethora of fishing vessels. It's all further territory that makes for fun dog walking. South African-born Culinary Director Jarad McCarroll was instrumental in the design of the handsome open kitchen Ocean Club Montauk which has especially fine marina views from four-top banquettes among the marble table settings. A nautical aesthetic is further enhanced through flooring that resembles decking and navy raffia wall decor. Chef McCarroll can draw upon some of the best fisheries on the East Coast. A new seasonal menu with just-caught seafood and local produce features the wood-fired braai grilling technique from the chef's homeland. A sea bass tartare starter is built around an emulsion of horseradish, dill, lemon and caviar. A main dish of halibut is served with kale, a yoghurt emulsion and shallot, while raw bar options alone fill a third of the menu page. Even a simple round loaf of bread served with dipping oil is a hit. The Chef's Table for custom McCarroll menus faces the kitchen, while the Ocean Club's bright and cheery bar and lounge, as well as the Pool Bar have all-day menus. The light and bright newly renovated Montauk Yacht Club rooms reflect their marine setting. Guests at MYC enjoy paddle boarding, two outdoor and one heated indoor pools, padel courts and bicycles borrowed through the concierge office. An INEOS house car is available, while a 45-minute X-Shore electric boat ride can be booked. In a partnership through Labor Day, Sisley Paris has turned the upper decks of the property's spa cabanas that are docked at the marina into lounges for relaxing before and after treatments. Sisley Paris treatment items can be purchased directly from the spa and at MYC's on-site boutique. Also available through Labor Day, the Michael Kors x Montauk Yacht Club Jet Set package includes a Bedford Travel Signature Logo Stripe Weekender Bag from Michael Kors. Chef McCarroll will also prepare a custom meal at the Ocean Club restaurant, and guests also enjoy a 60-minute massage at the spa cabanas and a sunset cruise aboard an X Shore boat. Along with its classic yacht club labeled sweatshirts, the property's boutique will display a Kors corner of apparel and items. Just below its still-functioning lantern room, the MYC lighthouse's lounge with coffee table books and chessboard is comfortable and large enough to make for an enviable city apartment. You'll be inspired to drive later the few miles further east to one of America's great historic lighthouses. The Montauk Point Lighthouse, commissioned by none other than Washington himself, has had its lens recently restored and undergone a huge erosion relief program of its shore. The fine museum doesn't allow your pooch unfortunately, but you both can walk nearby Camp Hero, a vast former military site of overgrown ruins. Directly across Lake Montauk, the double decker Inlet Seafood Restaurant comes with stunning sunsets. The enormous and casual establishment started nearly two decades ago by six local fisherman takes no reservations, but is well worth the wait for fish as fresh as it comes. For in town breakfast or brunch, the Bird on the Roof café is another popular off-property option. And once back at the Montauk Yacht Club, Fido will be more than ready to conk out on their own bed that comes courtesy of their stay. The Montauk Yacht Club pet fee is $100 per day.
New York Post
22-04-2025
- New York Post
Hamptons limo driver used Mercedes in drug ‘delivery service' for posh clients at yacht club, ‘Rodeo Drive of Long Island': prosecutors
A New York limo driver admitted Monday he ran a Brooklyn-to-Montauk drug 'delivery service' — selling high-priced cocaine out of a sleek Mercedes to posh clients at spots including a yacht club. Michael Khodorkovskiy, 44, copped to one drug dealing charge in a Riverhead, New York courtroom as part of a plea deal with prosecutors that is expected to net him 10 years behind bars at his May 29 sentencing. Khodorkovskiy was busted in August, alongside Alexandr Dyatchin, on 47 drug-related charges for a year-long scheme to sell high-end coke at inflated prices around the Hamptons, at spots like the Montauk Yacht Club, Rosie's eatery, and most frequently on Newtown Lane in East Hampton — regarded as the Rodeo Drive of the vacation-home set. 4 Michael Khodorkovskiy pleaded guilty to a drug charge Monday for running a high-end cocaine delivery service out of his Mercedes Benz. Newsday Both men — who worked as private rideshare and Uber drivers — conducted the illicit transactions out of their Mercedes cars which were retro-fitted with 'traps.' or hidden compartments to hide the drugs, prosecutors claimed. They not only dealt coke — which they sold for triple the street price — but also party drug MDMA and pills, prosecutors alleged. They were caught after selling large quantities of cocaine to undercover cops — including four sales where the officers bought two ounces or more from the pair, prosecutors said. The men have been held on $2 million since their arrests. Khodorkovskiy — a Ukraine-born US citizen — was cuffed on Aug. 2, alongside Dyatchin, 39, who allegedly came up with the ritzy cocaine delivery service scheme. During the bust, law enforcement discovered over three pounds of the white powdery narcotic and pills stashed in drug traps inside his Benz S500, officials said at the time. They also found nearly $39,000 in cash, and 39 gold coins worth $100,000, prosecutors said. 4 Khodorkovskiy made deals with well-healed clients inside his Mercedes Benz S500 on various spots in the Hamptons. Suffolk County District Attorney's Office Dyatchin's East Hampton rental home was filled with 589 grams of coke divided into packages, 269 grams of MDMA, and close to $20,000 in cash. His Mercedes had another 50 envelopes of cocaine stashed in traps, officials said. 4 Khodorkovskiy hid drugs inside his luxury car in 'traps.' Suffolk County District Attorney's Office 4 Khodorkovskiy is slated to receive 10 years behind bars at his sentencing next month. Suffolk County District Attorney's Office While a baggie of less than a gram of coke would go for $50 on the street, the duo was selling the same amount for $150 a pop, prosecutors claimed. Outside court, Khodorkovskiy's lawyer, Matthew Myers, said his client worked hard his whole life and fell on hard times during the pandemic running his limo business. He racked up $100,000 in debt and lost all the other vehicles that he'd purchased for the company, finally turning to drug dealing, Myers said. 'Khodorkovskiy was asked many times to provide wealthy Manhattan partiers narcotics,' Myers said, noting his client rejected the request until turning to dealing out of desperation. Dyatchin is due in court Wednesday. He's not a citizen and has outstayed his visa and could face deportation if convicted.
