West Neck Guesthouse

Formerly a family home, the West Neck Guesthouse was converted into a small bed-and-breakfast with six rooms on two floors. There's a big backyard with a sunbathing lawn and yard games, but no other common space. Shelter Island House is the small hotel located down the street that runs this mid-range bed-and-breakfast, and guests have to walk there to check-in and access amenities like beach or bicycle rentals. As a result, it's a quiet house with few other guests around, suitable for romantic couples looking for stay that's removed from the hubbub of the sceney Hamptons. In winter, Shelter Island is a sleepy and cozy place, though things do heat up here a bit in season. 

Lovely Shelter Island is located between the North and South forks of Long Island, surrounded by Shelter Island Sound and Gardiners Bay. The island is accessible only by two ferries to the mainland (with very limited service off-season). West Neck Guesthouse is situated across the street from the Shelter Island Country Club and its public nine-hole golf course, in a quiet area among other residential properties, along with a few shops, restaurants, and a bank within walking distance. Crescent Beach is just a bit too far to walk for most, but it's only five minutes away by car (drivers should note that there are no traffic lights on the island). It's also about a five-minute drive to a waterfront area with a yacht club, marina, and a few restaurants on the Peconic River. The North Ferry is a four-minute drive, and the South Ferry is a 10-minute drive from the property. It's about a 60-minute drive from East Hampton, and travelers should expect a three-hour drive from New York City, though sometimes more with summer traffic. 

The bed-and-breakfast has six air-conditioned guest rooms, with dark hardwood floors, whitewashed walls, and a bright coastal decor. All rooms have king beds with white bedside tables, and seating areas with contemporary chairs or small couches. Some feature vaulted ceilings (one room has skylights) and three of the rooms offer private porches or balconies with a pair of sun loungers. Bathrooms are white and they have marble tiling and shower/tub combos, plus pretty blue bottled toiletries. There's also a two-story suite available, with a small full kitchen and a living room with a sofa bed, along with a bathroom that has a walk-in shower and a separate soaking tub. Flat-screen TVs are wall-mounted and all rooms have iPod docks, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Other amenities include white noise machines, mini-fridges, and welcome (mini) bottles of sparkling rose.

The only common area is a big backyard that's walled off by hedgerows and a wooden fence. It has a sunbathing lawn with a row of comfortable loungers, and a gravel section with a pair of tables with chairs and shade umbrellas. There's also a giant chess board and a petanque court. Free breakfast is available off-site at The Tavern at the Shelter Island House, or guests can have a continental breakfast basket left for them in the foyer by request. Bicycles, beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas are also available for free at the sister hotel. Pets are allowed in two of the rooms for a steep fee. Free parking is included, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.