By Cristina Cuomo
High up in Hither Hills at the end of Long Island sits Montauk’s long-standing seaside hotel and resort, Gurney’s, where it’s been since 1926, when local Maude Gurney set out to capture and share the charm of her hometown. Seawater Spa, one of the only spas on the East End until Shou Sugi Ban House opened in 2019, has always been the definitive wellness destination in the Hamptons, complete with breathtaking oceanfront views that linger long after the massage is over. This winter, the 30,000-square-foot spa’s much-anticipated $20 million makeover was completed, adding to its many appeals like the ocean-fed seawater pool, one of the few of its kind in North America. New to the spa are amenities focused on recharging the mind, body and spirit by stimulating circulation while reducing inflammation like a caldarium, thermae baths, sauna and steam, and a salt room.
Those, and the ocean-viewing indoor-outdoor treatment suites, are designed by Alonso Balaguer Designs, the team behind Manhattan’s beloved spa AIRE Ancient Baths. In addition to massages in a variety of intensities, the exceptionally curated treatments, like the wrinkle-busting Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare facial, and other treatments that include top skin care brands like Biologique Recherche, OSEA, QMS Medicosmetics, VOYA and Aesop, effectively turn the clock back. The must-have bespoke Gurney’s Membership for locals and beyond offers all-access exclusivity to concierge services, and the Seawater Spa and is in keeping with the fast-paced five-star upgrades in Montauk in recent years.
The spa renovation follows the aesthetic remodeling of the main spaces and suites, the addition of an elevated dining experience from famed Italian restaurant group Scarpetta, and the completion of the neighboring oceanfront Residences, all of which align with the luxury full-service experience of Gurney’s latest acquisition, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Arizona’s booming Paradise Valley. Under ownership led by George Filopoulos (Metrovest Equities Inc.) and Lloyd Goldman (BLDG Management Co Inc.), Gurney’s Resorts has defined itself by its year-round luxury wellness and spa destinations. gurneysresorts.com
