Hidden away behind a stucco wall lies one of the secret treasures of East Hampton. This lovely mansion, a medley of rich woods, multiple fireplaces, and William Morris-inspired furniture and decor, was transformed into the Hampton's finest B&B in 1996. Experienced innkeepers/owners Gary and Rita Reiswig owned the Maidstone Arms for many years, but their latest venture tops anything else in the Hamptons.

The "cottage," said to incorporate the oldest continually occupied structure in East Hampton, has a distinctly Arts and Crafts design due to a renovation that took place in 1910. It boasts Elizabethan gables, mullioned windows, and a soft buff stucco exterior made especially charming by the guardian angels that oversee the front door.

There's a large entry hall with comfortable seating areas and a library filled with interesting books. In the breakfast room, the low beamed ceilings are from the house's earliest era. A woodstove offers warmth and a cozy country ambience. In the living room, the molded patterned plaster ceiling and massive tiled fireplace are examples of designs inspired by William Morris, as are the patterned fabrics on the chairs and sofas and the frieze atop the wall. Mullioned windows on both sides create a light and bright space for reading, conversation, or playing the piano.

The guest rooms are spacious and sophisticated. One room combines floral and plaid fabrics in yellow and green with pine furniture. The bath is lavish in its use of patterned tile, and there's an elegant whirlpool tub as well as a glassed-in shower. Another room has paneled walls, a fireplace (with a cache of wood ready to be put to use), an iron bed, and beamed ceilings. A private balcony overlooks Main Street, and there is a tiled bath (all the tilework was expertly laid by Gary's son). Every room has not only a TV and VCR but at least two telephones with dataports. The two largest rooms each have three telephones.

Guests enter the B&B, not through the front door, but through a lovely carved wooden door in the solid stucco wall behind the B&B, which hides an acre of courtyards and gardens. A purple wisteria is a cascade of blooms in May, and the courtyard offers both secluded and open spaces. A sunken partnerre garden is lush and tranquil. Beyond the garden, there's plenty of parking space, a scarce commodity in East Hampton.

A full breakfast is prepared every morning. It is served in either the breakfast room or in the courtyard, depending on the weather. Guests start with freshly baked breads, juices, and fruits. Entrees will include perhaps a salmon and scallion frittata or cinnamon-swirl French toast. In addition, there will be a fruit salad or a fruit dish such as apples with custard.

Away from the crowds, and yet close enough to encourage a walk to town, the B&B is near the John Drew Theatre and Guild Hall. Art exhibits, classes, and exhibitions take place throughout the year here, as well as lectures, theatrical productions, and concerts. The B&B is also within walking distance of the beach.


Recommended BED & BREAKFASTS, Mid-Atlantic States
2000