Daunt’s Albatross New Boutique Hotel by Home Studios.

One of the oldest family run hotels in Montauk, New York gets a thoughtful makeover by Brooklyn-based Home Studios. The re-design captures the essence and history of the Long Island village—its understatedness and tranquillity—with a nod to the rugged landscape of the nearby Shadmoor State Park. Home Studios tapped into the spirit of the time when Montauk remained an off-the-beaten path destination, a community of fisherman and pilgrimage for surfers.

The design team married the colours and textures of the Shadmoor’s cliffs to inform the palette—shades of white, warm greys, browns, faded yellows and ocean blues ranging from pale and light to deep and moody—and materials, from the guest rooms’ flagstone floors to the lobby’s plaster stucco fireplace. They also relied on raw and rugged materials such as knotty, heart pines to relate more naturally to the encompassing surroundings. The result is a balanced space that blends the Daunt family history with modern comforts, where antiques and custom furniture coexist in beautiful surroundings.

Original artwork lives next to handmade textiles for a layer of sentimental warmth. Furniture and accents range from minimal to locally-sourced vintage lighting and decor to create the feeling of a home that has been furnished over the years with heirlooms collected by generations. Home Studios personally sourced all the vintage furniture and decor in the hotel so that no two rooms are alike.

“Going back to the late 70s when my grandfather purchased it, our goal with the Albatross has been to spread the beauty of Montauk and welcome everyone—from newcomers to those who have been coming with their families for decades, ” explains the owner, Leo Daunt. “In this new chapter, we’re excited to build on this legacy and continue to make guests feel a part of the family.”

Rooms range from standard doubles and queens up to the Koda Suite, with many featuring kitchenettes and balconies. Connecting the rooms is a revamped, landscaped courtyard. A pool renovation will follow later this year, with guests able to enjoy the existing one for the summer. Also to come during the next stage of the renovation will be an expanded lobby with a wood-burning fireplace and communal dining area and yoga pavilion.

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[Images courtesy of Home Studios. Photography by Brian Ferry.]