Havens in the Hamptons

Hit these spas by the sea
before the summer crowds




In the Hamptons, exfoliation, aromatherapy, and seaview pedicures are the favored rites of spring. If you can sneak away for the weekend before the post-Memorial Day madness, here are some tips to help you celebrate winter's end with a beachside renewal of body and spirit.

EAST HAMPTON: THE J. HARPER POOR COTTAGE

Guardian spirits carved above the door at the J. Harper Poor Cottage welcome you into a paradise of peaceful ease. Dating back to an astonishing 1648, "The Cottage," later restyled as an arts and craft mansion, wears its history with grace. Spring-inspired William Morris fabrics, an ancient wisteria trellis festooning the garden, and in-room wood-burning fireplaces whisper a sense of elegance and ease.

The Cottage is the only inn in East Hampton where you can enjoy spa facilities without leaving the premises. After breakfast, descend the stairs to the stone-tiled spa room, where a serene indoor pool invites you to take a dip. The fitness-focused will find exercise equipment, but the best thing about the spa is that it can be rented out for a private massage for individuals or couples. As relaxing music soothes your ears, you'll be rubbed by the practiced hands of an expert like Alexis Philip, who teaches at Manhattan's Swedish Institute.

When it's time to tear yourself away, East Hampton offers plenty of shopping and antiquing opportunities. A good dinner bet is Bamboo Restaurant and Sushi Lounge, offering fresh and imaginative pan-Asian dishes that won't compromise your low-carb diet.


Lynn Parramore: IN-SPA-RATIONS
Daily News - Sunday, May 2, 2004




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