Location: Hampton Bays, New York
Designer: Workstead
On Offer: A boutique property with just 20 guest rooms and five standalone cottages, Canoe Place Inn is rendered with exemplary attention to detail, courtesy of the multidisciplinary design studio Workstead. First opened in the 1600s as a waystation, the property was later transformed into a fashionably discrete getaway for dignitaries and movie stars escaping New York City in the early 20th century. “We found a balance between sourcing and designing pieces that reference past eras—around 1921 through the 1940’s—when the hotel thrived,” says Workstead co-founder Ryan Mahoney. “Many aspects of the original architecture were stripped away by fires, so we sought for each space to nod to the past while feeling distinctly contemporary in the current setting.”
The firm accomplished this by combining elements of Swedish Gustavian style, nautical motifs, and refurbished pieces such as a pine reception desk discovered during the renovation. Those influences carry through to Good Ground Tavern, the property’s full-service restaurant and bar helmed by chef Ülfet Ralph. The seasonal menu makes use of the Hamptons’ abundant farms and fisheries, with Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern inflections. Drinks are served from either the restaurant bar or, during the summer, the outdoor terrace overlooking an expansive saltwater pool.
Standout Features: The property hosts the third outpost of Onda Beauty, a boutique and spa with an impeccable selection of products from Costa Brazil, Barbara Sturm, and more. Given that Onda chooses its roster of beauty brands based on both the scent and integrity of each formulation, olfactory experience factors into each spa treatment. The Scents of Peace massage combines aromatherapy with deep tissue techniques to dissolve tension, while the Plant-Powered Wellness Experience factors in energy healing and CBD massage oil to achieve next-level chill.
The fine art collection is another highlight. The cornerstone is a Doug Aitken painting titled “When I Was Alive,” on loan from Greg Rechler’s collection. The painting was a major influence in Workstead’s design and is part of the hotel’s significant art collection curated by Greg and his brother Mitchell, with pieces from Yoan Capote, Tony Tasset, and Jeffrey Gibson whose painting, “Chief Pretty Eagle,” is displayed as an homage to the Shinnecock people who first inhabited the area.
