Montauk Pioneer

A Jet-set, chic scene has pervaded the East End for a number of years now, but Montauk, the famously laid-back destination of choice for 'real surfers,' remained unscathed for all this time. How did it happen? No one really knows. After all, its home to some of the nicest dunes, beaches, and beautiful people ever, so it's no wonder exclusive developer Wavestone Properties chose this ueber-cool locale for their new hotel, Sole East.

The completely renovated, 67 room hotel offers features such as high thread count Italian cotton linens, sleek, modern bungalow suites and furniture, new flat screen HD TVs in all the rooms, and iPod docking stations to boot. These are just a few of the fully-loaded luxuries included. Outside, take a dip in the sexiest swimming pool in the Hamptons, then lounge on the oversized chaise seats and beds, being served delicious afternoon cocktails like the Pina Colada Martini (coconut water, Stoli Vanilla, a little St. Germaine, and pineapple juice - chilled, of course). The grounds feature a Petanque Court - French for Bocce, and St. Tropez's game of choice, as well as a beach badminton setup. Hammocks are nestled throughout the 2.5 acre property of lavish and impeccably landscaped gardens, so choose one and escape in this fragrant, green paradise, or if you want to check out the village, take a 2 minute ride on a brand new beach cruiser down to the Main strip.

An overflow of daytime activities (you're in Montauk, do you need any further information?) is already guaranteed, but a hip night scene is right on site as well. With wood-burning fire pits scattered throughout the garden, a forbidden exchange will heat up much faster in this raw, outdoor environment - think fresh lilies and glowing light and the appropriately named restaurant/bar, Backyard, is quite literally in the backyard of the place. A clean white interior and a shamefully attractive staff provide a relaxing yet stimulating ambience. Entrees run between $14 and $32. Chef Robert Pagan, of Panza Restaurant in the Chateau Cervantes, Puerto Rico, and Suba on Ludlow Street in Downtown New York prepares mouth-watering Latin-Asian fusion cuisine. Don't miss the crispy calamari salad served with frisee, diced bananas (wow), praline-crusted walnuts dressed in a Miso-orange sauce to start, and a seared striped bass over a cauliflower truffle puree for an entree. Every weekend, there will be poolside parties featuring guest DJ's, a BBQ, cocktails and with a property wide sound system, you can jive to the sounds no matter where you happen to be. Sole East Beach, sister Hotel and smaller property is a 25-room hotel in the heart of the Village of Montauk across from the ocean beaches.

I don't think Montauk will lose its charm as the unpretentious fun-house of Long Island because of one Posh sprout-up. Seems it can only bring more international hotties to the shores, and what can be so bad about that?

For Hotel reservations and more information about the property, call 631-668-2105, or visit www.soleeast.com. For restaurant reservations, call 631-668-9739.