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If you're a New Yorker, you know that for many, summer is synonymous with the Hamptons. Long Island's famed string of beach towns lure city dwellers to its sandy shores, upscale boutiques, and ritzy parties.
My husband and I spent our youth pooling money with friends on share homes in the Hamptons. Our frugal experience was the antithesis of the big-moneyed, celebrity-studded reputation the Hamptons now enjoys.
Eventually, we purchased our own cottage in Amagansett that we rent in the summer on Airbnb and Vrbo. Being a host has given me a unique peek into the vacation rental market. I spend hours sleuthing out the competition and even installed a classic cedar hot tub to set our listing apart.
Knowing a thing or two about standout vacation rentals, I combed Airbnb to select well-located, appealing, reasonably-priced homes. In other words, my competition. But unlike most Hamptons rentals, these properties are priced for mere mortals, too.
The best Airbnbs in the Hamptons were selected based on the following criteria:
Browse all the best Airbnb homes in the Hamptons below, or jump directly to a specific area here:
Typical starting price: $199
Location: East Hampton
Sleeps: 4 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 4.88
Many people consider East Hampton to be the hottest spot in the Hamptons. This is where celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Alec Baldwin live (and it's not uncommon to see them in town).
This enticing one-bedroom cottage is a short distance from the lively downtown, which is full of chic boutiques and restaurants. It's also an easy stroll to stunning ocean and bay beaches. The cottage itself isn't fancy, but it's full of light with soaring ceilings, and people usually pay a much steeper price to find prime real estate like this.
Typical starting price: $213
Location: Sag Harbor
Sleeps: 4 guests/2 bedrooms
Rating: 4.80
While perhaps not as overtly posh as some of the other entries, this funky home brings loads of character to the table that's hard to replicate.
This eclectic guest home trades the gleaming white interiors seen in most Hamptons homes and replaces it with terra cotta floors, stucco walls, and hand-painted Costa Rican-style sink and tiles. The layout eschews tradition too: there's a freestanding clawfoot tub smack in the middle of the living room, and the flow is railroad-style, meaning each room connects to the next. The TVs aren't up-to-date, but this isn't really the type of place you come to binge stream.
There are simple luxuries too, with a new outdoor shower, a fenced-in yard with colorful blooms, and free use of bikes, surfboards, and a four-person canoe.
Typical starting price: $315
Location: Montauk
Sleeps: 2 guests/studio
Rating: 4.91
We love the boho laidback vibes found out east in Montauk, where things feel a bit slower than other villages within the Hamptons. Of course, that secret is now out and the crowds have followed, but that shouldn't keep you from considering making your base here.
This simply furnished cottage is a steal considering you'll only pay around $300 per night midweek in summer. Or, visit in winter to curl up beside the retro-looking working fireplace. There's a Queen-sized bed, stand-up shower, full kitchen, cable, Wi-Fi, and ocean views to savor. Outside, take advantage of chairs and a grill, as well as the beach, which is only a short walk away.
Typical starting price: $325
Location: Southampton
Sleeps: 2 guests/studio
Rating: 4.97
Great for experiencing the best of all worlds, this studio is set between old-moneyed Southampton and funky Sag Harbor, and is just one block away from Peconic Bay Beach.
It's hidden away on an acre of evergreens, and relaxation is encouraged — the hosts built this home as an artist's studio inspired by their love of staying at five-star hotels and as such, added a full luxury shower, crisp white linens, down bedding, and feature art and vintage furniture widely. Beach towels and beach chairs are provided and there is even a deck and little koi pond with a waterfall. However, note that children and pets are not allowed.
Typical starting price: $350
Location: Southampton
Sleeps: 6 guests/3 bedrooms
Rating: 5.0
This three-bedroom stunner overlooks a tranquil pond with a first floor surrounded by French doors and windows that offer front-row views of the bay.
This year-round home makes it easy to enjoy warm weather with a deeded deep-water dock for your boat, or take out a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard for a ride around the adjacent pond. The Cold Spring Point Sandy private beach is a one-minute walk away too when you need a refreshing dip.
There are three spacious bedrooms, including one kitted out with baby gear including a crib and a changing table, making this a great choice for families.
But the star of this home is the huge deck framed by water views in every direction flanked by garden patio seating areas with umbrellas and a fire pit.
Typical starting price: $486
Location: Southampton Village
Sleeps: 3 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 4.96
Given that it's part of Airbnb Plus, you know this property will be well-designed with thoughtful touches. Indeed, it boasts one-of-a-kind design details, a responsive host, and extra creature comforts like beach gear and local products. The one-bedroom cottage is located right in Southampton Village, which means you'll have great access to shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and more.
The cute dwelling includes many design nods to the local beach surrounds, as well as funky finds like a retro microwave. A tranquil brick patio includes comfy-looking loungers for sunbathing.
Typical starting price: $499
Location: Amagansett
Sleeps: 6 guests/3 bedrooms
Rating: 4.93
With its midcentury modern fireplace, soaring ceilings, and sleek furniture, this three-bedroom surf cottage in Amagansett looks like it could be featured in a home-design magazine. It's also located a short walk from a great beach.
The space is calm and soothing with bright white walls, arched ceilings, a wall of books, and a wood-burning stove. High-tech entertainment amenities feature heavily and you'll have access to Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon TV, and Amazon Echo/Alexa. But taking in the sea air is also encouraged and there's an inviting hammock in the backyard that beckons you to chill out and watch the clouds.
Typical starting price: $518
Location: Montauk
Sleeps: 3 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 4.65
If you prefer a hotel over Airbnb, you'll love this oceanfront studio, which is actually operated by a hotel: Beach Plum Resort. The rooms are also listed on Airbnb and this unit stands out for direct ocean views at a fraction of what you'll likely find elsewhere in Montauk. Rates are well under $200 in spring and even midweek in summer, they hover around $300. Of course, expect to pay much more for weekends.
The apartment-style room comes with a kitchenette and a seating area separated from the Queen-sized bed by a small partition. There's also a private deck, though, it's worth noting that units vary and the pictures in this listing might not be the exact room you end up staying in.
There are also full resort amenities such as outdoor showers, direct beach access, an in-ground heated pool, complimentary Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. There are also barbecue grills and play areas.
Typical starting price: $599
Location: Sag Harbor
Sleeps: 6 guests/3 bedrooms
Rating: 4.98
Less than 1,000 feet from the mile-long stretch of beach known as Long Beach, this home feels like a classic modern Hamptons home with clean lines and furnishings done up in hues of cream, light blue, and wood.
The living room is inviting with an open-plan layout alongside a dining room, all set under high ceilings, and bathed in natural light. There's also a bright and sunny lower level room for watching TV, while a deck outfitted with an outdoor shower and gas BBQ grill overlooks a large lawn that enjoys privacy through well-kept landscaping.
There are three bedrooms, making this a strong pick for a family getaway or group share.
Typical starting price: $649
Location: East Hampton
Sleeps: 4 guests
Rating: 4.97
This contemporary one-floor home in East Hampton includes modern decor such as translucent dining chairs, '60s style chairs and sofas, and a sloped wood ceiling. Light pours in through floor-to-ceiling garage bay-style windows in both the living area and main bedroom.
There is a second bed, which is actually a Murphy bed hidden above the couch. Outside, guests may relax by the hot tub or sink into a large plush seating area with a fire pit. If you can manage to tear yourself away, hop on one of the provided cruiser bikes to ride to East Hampton Village.
Typical starting price: $995
Location: East Hampton
Sleeps: 9 guests/4 bedrooms
Rating: 4.82
This five-bedroom home covers two lush acres near East Hampton and channels the area's posh feel within every inch of the house.
There's a large chef's kitchen with a charcoal water filtration system, a spacious living area with midcentury modern furniture, a fireplace set under a dramatic beamed ceiling, as well as four bedrooms with statement wallpaper, goose down bedding, and 500 thread count sateen linens. The bathrooms have walk-in showers, high-end products by Oribé, and robes by Matouk.
Other standout features include a lower-level gym with a Peloton bike, a large deck, covered areas to lounge, as well as an expansive heated pool.
Typical starting price: $1,207
Location: Quogue
Sleeps: 10 guests/5 bedrooms
Rating: 4.89
Some snobs say that the blink-and-you'll-miss-it village of Quogue is too far west to be counted as one of the Hamptons, but you'll find the same charms and gorgeous beaches as in all the other towns. Plus, it's got convenience on its side since it's closer to New York City. Best of all, there are better deals to be found here since it's not in the heart of the scene.
While pricey, this home counts five bedrooms and an overall California-boho style that feels refreshing among a sea of beach homes. The standout feature is, of course, the large pool, and there's also an enormous deck for grilling, complete with a blackboard where you can write up the day's menu. A nature reserve is nearby where you can go bird watching.
The Hamptons are comprised of a string of towns, villages, and hamlets that stretch roughly 50 miles from Westhampton to Montauk on the tip of Long Island in the state of New York.
The Hamptons is made up of hamlets and villages within the areas of Southampton and East Hampton. Popular places within Southampton include Westhampton, Quogue, Hampton Bays, Water Mill, Bridgehampton, Sagaponack, and Sag Harbor (shared with East Hampton). Within East Hampton, you'll find East Hampton, Amagansett, and Montauk, among others.
Where you stay in the Hamptons entirely depends on your personal style, taste, and budget. Some people consider East Hampton to be posh and upscale while Montauk has long been a laid-back surfer's haven.
If you want to rent a private vacation house in the Hamptons, the cost will depend on factors such as house size, proximity to beach and town, added amenities such as a pool, and perhaps most importantly the time of year you plan to visit, and the day of the week.
For example, a simple studio apartment might start at $125 per night off season, but surge to $1,500 per night for a summer weekend. A lavish mansion could cost $10,000 any time. For better deals, as well as increased availability, visit in shoulder seasons like spring or fall when the weather is still quite pleasant and there are fewer crowds and less competition for inventory. If you're set on a summer trip to the Hamptons, plan to increase your budget or consider only staying midweek for lower rates.
Expect to pay, at minimum, a few hundred dollars for a short midweek stay off season, or a few thousand for a weekend or summer visit. Be sure to also budget extra fees for cleaning, service fees, and other additional costs imposed by vacation rentals such as Airbnb.
Consider criteria like the items we use to select homes to recommend to readers. This includes positive recent reviews (often with a minimum review score), Superhost status, homes that participate in the Enhanced Clean program, affordable price ranges (under $1,000 per night to start), as well as interesting amenities, design, and location. This might include homes with pools, beach access, free use of bikes or beach gear, outdoor seating, and thoughtful design — the very amenities you'd want when booking a beach vacation.
Cancellation policies on Airbnb differ from home to home and is set by each individual host. For a full breakdown of Airbnb's cancellation policies, click here.
Search for homes based on location, price, date, the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, amenities, and more. Once you've found a home to suit your needs, be sure to check for cancellation policies, and review your price in pull. For more information on the full process of how to book on Airbnb, click here.
According to experts, yes. If you're wondering if Airbnb is safe, private home rentals are thought to offer a higher level of safety compared to hotels. They minimize interactions with others, and Airbnb hosts are required to follow enhanced cleaning procedures.
The CDC also says travel is safe for fully vaccinated individuals.
People visit the Hamptons to go to the beach where they swim, sail, and surf; shop at designer boutiques, eat farm-to-table fare, and sip on wine at local wineries, among many other draws.
Axel Springer, Insider Inc.'s parent company, is an investor in Airbnb.
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