East Hampton’s Maidstone hotel brings Italian vibes to Main Street

It was a thought that nagged at Irwin Simon whenever he drove out to his home in the Hamptons, and passed through East Hampton village. “The Maidstone hotel looked like it needed love. It was sitting there, and looked so lonely,” he says now of the landmark property overlooking the village green, where celebs like Jon Bon Jovi and Kylie Minogue have dined.

So Simon, an entrepreneur whose ventures include Montauk Brewing Company, decided to help.

In April 2023, he and real estate and hospitality entrepreneur Mayank Dwivedi snapped up a majority share from Jenny and Jonathan Baker, who’d owned it since 2008 but were increasingly spending time in California. On June 17, the new team will debut an entirely re-imagined hotel, operating rooms, restaurant and bar in partnership with LDV Hospitality, the group best known for running sceney Italian spot Scarpetta in New York, Tokyo, London and at Gurney’s in Montauk.

It fell to LDV founder and president John Meadow to bring life to Simon’s vision and love to the hotel (rooms from $1,295 per night). “Everything we’ve done has a coziness and authenticity to it,” he promises. “This is a 150-year-old house, with a patina and creaky floors. You can’t fake that.”

The entire property underwent a major refresh, evoking the breezy chic of the Mediterranean, courtesy of NYC-based designer Poonam Khanna of Unionworks. She did so, in part, by brightening the rooms — think Frette linens, custom rugs and artworks, plus Santa Maria Novella amenities. The common areas have blue and green accents as a nod to the ocean, and there is a chic shop carrying everything from beauty products to travel essentials in the garden.

There are thoughtful touches, too, like an honor bar in the lobby where you can help yourself to a snifter of amaro and sign it to your room. “It’s like being a guest at someone’s house in the Hamptons where they take care of you,” says Meadow.

The big news, though, is the arrival of a scene-stealing restaurant, LDV at The Maidstone, which serves cuisine evoking “moments of Italian summer in the Hamptons.” LDV partner and Scarpetta legend Jorge Espinoza crafted the menu; LDV’s standout spaghetti al pomodoro is not on it, though it will be available for those who know to ask.

Guests can also savor spaghetti alla Nerano, a fried zucchini dish from Sorrento that saw a resurgence after Stanley Tucci championed it on his “Searching for Italy” show.

The drinks list has been designed by LDV Director of Bars Giacomo Ellena. Try a Maidstone Spritz, with Aperol and tequila, or the Caffettino, a dangerously drinkable riff on an espresso martini.

There’s a superb indoor dining room with tables and a bar plus 36 seats in the outdoor garden. Simon hopes to create a clubhouse-like atmosphere for locals as much as overnighters. He sees plenty of opportunities beyond the traditional stoppage of Labor Day, as the area’s become more year-round residential in COVID-19’s wake.

Interior designer Tom Samet, who lives nearby, welcomes the makeover. “The population here is much stronger year-round. This is just what local people need now: The location is a 10, and the place has oodles of charm.”

Social fixture Julie Macklowe agrees — and no wonder, since the hotel will stock her namesake whiskey, offering it in a fleck-tinged Gold Fashioned cocktail. “This is going to be fabulous, especially because LDV brings great staff and service, which is always a challenge in the Hamptons, or Aspen or Palm Beach,” she says. “They’re not trying to overdo things, but be a fabulous community anchor.”

The re-imagined Maidstone is aimed at home-owning grown-ups rather than share-housers. Meadow emphasizes that he’s as focused on daytime business as evening suppers. And, given the controversies swirling around Zero Bond’s plans to commandeer another East Hampton hotel, The Hedges Inn, and operate a summertime outpost of its buzzy Noho nightclub, it’s a timely message.

“We’re not here for bottle service, and we’re not going to have loud music at 2 a.m.,” says Simon. “I like to run a five-star with great food and great accommodation.” He pauses, ever the Hamptons boosterist. “I travel all over the world, and I don’t understand the people who, in the summer, have these great homes here but want to go to Capri or the South of France.”