Good Views and Good Vibes on Long Island’s North Fork

Where Team Fathom goes for a much-needed beach getaway: a chill, next-generation motel on Long Island's North Fork.

GREENPORT, New York – The spring-summer transition creates a roller coaster of emotions for New Yorkers, who navigate their weather apps and limited closet space in anticipation of Mother Nature's whims. Skyrocketing temperatures and solid sunshine may be followed (any minute now!) by humid cold fronts, gray skies, and misplaced umbrellas at the end of the day.

This year, Team Fathom took matters into our own hands by creating our own official start to summer. We skipped town one late May morning for a Work from the Beach Day and made the just-over-two-hour trek from Brooklyn to Sound View, a next-generation motel with major design cred and stellar seaside views. Its location in Greenport, a charming waterfront village on Long Island's bucolic North Fork, meant there would be plenty to see and do — regardless of precarious spring weather.

Book It

Rates start at $325 per night during the summer and $195 per night the rest of the year. Click here for reservations, or get in touch with the Fathom Travel Concierge, and we can plan your trip for you.

Checking In

Location
Long Island's North Fork is a pastoral stretch of land dotted with old-fashioned farming villages and seaports. Sound View is perched on the water's edge along Route 48, just a five-minute drive from downtown Greenport.

Hotel Style
Last summer, the iconic 1950s motel received a fresh new look thanks to Brooklyn-based design firm Studio Tack. The seaside resort has a modern maritime vibe with midcentury-inspired furnishings, elegant cedar wood panelling, and nautical decor that feels collected — not cliché.

This Place Is Perfect For
City dwellers looking to escape the crowds for a slice of seaside living with an Instagram-friendly background.

But Not So Perfect For 
Those looking for the bells and whistles of a resort-style luxury hotel or a Hamptons-like scene.

What's on Site
Amenities include a fitness room, sauna, multi-sports court, and outdoor swimming pool. A private library and bicycles are available to guests. The piano bar offers a rotating roster of live musical performances and karaoke in partnership with Joe's Pub at The Public and Sid Gold's Request Room. The hotel can arrange sailing lessons, stand-up paddleboards, and photography tours for adults; children can be enrolled in one- or two-day summer camp experiences through Peconic Dunes Camp.

Food + Drink
A free continental breakfast is on offer each morning in the sun-drenched lobby lounge. The Halyard serves low-key, hearty American fare for brunch and dinner. Jack's Shack, a recreation of the iconic 1930s beach snack shack by original owner Jack Levin, offers drinks and small bites to poolside dwellers.

Number of Rooms
25 deluxe rooms, twelve junior suites, and eight studio suites.  

In-Room Amenities
Guests are welcomed with a complimentary bottle of Pellegrino and a bag of Tate's Bake Shop cookies (a local favorite from the South Form). A small wet bar is stocked with a Nespresso maker, coffee pods, and a roster of mostly Long Island-made snacks and drinks, including Macari wines, North Fork Potato Chips, Greenport Jerky, and Coastal Craft Kombucha. An ironing board, iron, and safe are tucked away in the closet, while Malin + Goetz toiletries are on tap in the bathroom. The WiFi is reliable and free.

Drawbacks
The roadside location and lack of soundproof windows means falling asleep to a steady stream of cars, which isn't ideal for light sleepers.

Checking Out

What to Do Nearby
Greenport is high on charm and low on formality. The historic whaling port has hints of the old world, with a local-yocal-meets-urban-weekender vibe. Stretch yourself into vacation mode at North Fork Shala Yoga, followed by antique shopping at Beall & Bell, where some finds can be surprisingly affordable. Dine on farm-to-table Italian fare at Barba Bianca, a chic evening-only restaurant with dockside seating. Throw one back at Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market, a quaint seaside oyster stand and bar overlooking Greenport Harbor — or pick up the makings for a backyard feast. On your way out of town, swing by North Fork Food Truck for a lobster roll from the folks behind The North Fork Table & Inn (the grand dame of the Long Island wine country culinary scene).

Plan Your Trip
The North Fork is a two- to three-hour drive from New York City (depending on traffic); it is also reachable by Hampton Jitney and Long Island Rail Road.

Keep Exploring the North Fork

Laid Back on the North Fork
A Quick Hit List for the North Fork
A Local Forager’s Favorite Finds on Long Island’s East End