The Hamptons’ Best-Kept Secret Hotel
First constructed in 1648. Named “Most Excellent Inn of the Americas” by Condé Nast Johansens. Located on East Hampton Village’s historic green within walking distance of Main Beach. The Baker House 1650 represents nearly four centuries of Hamptons hospitality distilled into seven extraordinary rooms.
This isn’t a hotel that accommodates guests. It’s a manor house that admits visitors into a carefully preserved world where hand-hewn beams meet Frette linens, where wood-burning fireplaces warm William Morris wallpapered rooms, and where the village green vista includes one of East Hampton’s iconic windmills.
Why Baker House 1650 Attracts Discerning Visitors
The property operates as a destination rather than accommodation. Guests don’t stay here to access the Hamptons—they stay here to experience what Hamptons hospitality meant before developers arrived.
The Historical Pedigree
Sea captain Daniel Howe built the original structure in 1648. Two years later, Thomas Baker—one of East Hampton’s founders—purchased it, establishing Baker’s Tavern as the town meeting hall and community center. This building witnessed the birth of the community it still serves.
The Architectural Evolution
In 1911, architect Joseph Greenleaf Thorp transformed the American Colonial into an English manor during the golden age of Anglophilia. The original shingled house received stucco wrapping and Elizabethan style renovation. Today’s 17th Century Cotswold-inspired architecture stands as testament to that transformation.
What Makes Baker House 1650 Different
Seven guest rooms plus a separate Carriage House offer approximately 400-500 square feet each—generous space filled with details that budget-conscious operations cannot replicate.
Room Character
The Village Green room occupies approximately 500 square feet featuring pale green William Morris wallpaper, a king-sized sleigh bed, electric fireplace, and two walls of mullioned bay windows overlooking Mulford Farm and East Hampton’s historic windmills. This room earned coverage in Town & Country Magazine.
Original Elements
Several rooms occupy the original 1648 structure. Hand-hewn wooden beams remain exposed. Wood-burning fireplaces function as intended. Balconies and terraces overlook the scenic village green. These elements cannot be manufactured—they exist because they’ve existed for nearly four centuries.
Modern Amenities
Frette linens and towels. L’Occitane bath amenities. Flat screen televisions and Bose stereos. Mini-bars. Spa tubs or soaking tubs in every bathroom. The property delivers contemporary comfort without sacrificing historical integrity.
The Baker Spa
Completed in 2000, the basement-level spa feels organic to the original house despite its modern construction. The space includes an Endless swimming pool, Jacuzzi soaking tub, sauna, steam shower, and champagne-stocked wine refrigerator.
Guest Access
Spa facilities remain complimentary for all guests. Private reservations accommodate those seeking uninterrupted relaxation. Massage treatments and facials provide additional wellness options. The atmosphere delivers “peaceful place that seems always to have been there.”
Pool Options
Three swimming pools serve different purposes. An outdoor pool at the Carriage House. An outdoor infinity-edge pool at the main house with teak chaises for sunbathing. The indoor Endless pool in the Baker Spa. This variety accommodates weather and mood without leaving the property.
The Location Advantage
181 Main Street positions guests at the center of East Hampton Village life while maintaining manor house seclusion behind prestigious hedges.
Beach Access
Summer guests receive complimentary parking passes for East Hampton Village beaches including Main Beach and Georgica Beach. Frette beach towels, umbrellas, and chairs complete the beach package. Main Beach sits a 15-minute walk from the property—close enough for convenience, far enough for separation.
Village Proximity
World-class shopping and restaurants sit within a 10-minute walk. Guild Hall presents exhibitions and performances. Historic sites including the Mill and Mulford Farm occupy the immediate neighborhood. The property functions as home base for village exploration without requiring transportation.
The Luxury Travel Alignment
Modern affluent travelers seek experiences that cannot be replicated at scale. According to McKinsey’s luxury travel research, high-net-worth individuals prioritize authenticity and unique character over standardized luxury amenities.
Boutique Scale
Seven rooms ensures intimacy that larger properties cannot match. Owner management maintains standards that corporate operations struggle to sustain. The property attracts guests who understand that exclusivity means limited availability rather than high price points alone.
The B&B Model Elevated
Sumptuous breakfast served in the garden-side breakfast room or on the terrace itself. The grand piano in the expansive parlor. Library filled with books and magazines. Large fireplace surrounded by plush sofas. These touches transform bed and breakfast into manor house hospitality.
Year-Round Destination
Unlike seasonal properties, Baker House 1650 operates year-round. Each season offers distinct experiences.
Summer Glory
Beach passes and pool access define summer stays. The village buzzes with visitors and activity. Restaurant reservations require planning. This season delivers the iconic Hamptons experience.
Off-Season Character
Autumn brings apple picking at nearby Water Mill farms. Winter settles into wood-burning fireplace evenings. Spring awakens gardens and walking trails. Year-round operation attracts visitors who appreciate the Hamptons beyond beach season.
Planning Your Stay
Baker House 1650 rewards visitors who approach it correctly. This property serves guests seeking immersion rather than itinerary completion.
Booking Considerations
Weekend stays require three-night minimums during peak season. Children over 10 welcome. Pets permitted at certain properties. Advance booking essential for summer dates. The exclusivity that makes the property special also limits availability.
What to Expect
Private check-in and check-out. Concierge service for activity planning. Complimentary passes to Sag Harbor Gym for fitness needs. Staff ready to arrange whatever activities guests wish to pursue—from horseback riding in Montauk to deep-sea fishing charters.
For comprehensive Hamptons accommodation guidance, our coverage of the finest Hamptons hotels maps options across every community. Visitors planning beach excursions should review our guide to the best Hamptons beaches including the Main Beach access that Baker House guests enjoy.
The Historical Significance
Understanding Baker House 1650 requires understanding its place in East Hampton history. Thomas Baker didn’t just purchase property—he established a community gathering point that shaped the village’s development.
From Tavern to Manor
Baker’s Tavern served as town meeting hall during the community’s formative years. Shakespearean devotee James Harper Poor renamed the property “As You Like It” after purchasing it in 1899. The 1911 renovation created the English manor aesthetic that persists today.
Preservation as Purpose
The property’s historical designation protects architectural integrity while permitting modern amenities. Guests experience what wealth preservation meant before historic districts and zoning boards—organic evolution guided by taste rather than regulation.
The Bottom Line on Baker House 1650
Not every visitor deserves Baker House 1650. That’s not elitism—it’s acknowledgment that the property serves a specific purpose. Guests seeking quick Hamptons access with minimal engagement should book elsewhere. Those seeking immersion in nearly four centuries of Hamptons hospitality tradition will find no superior option.
The Village Green room’s windmill view. The original 1648 beams in guest quarters. The spa that feels original despite modern construction. These details create experience that Travel and Leisure Magazine recognized as “Inn of the Month” material. For visitors who understand that luxury means character rather than amenity lists, Baker House 1650 represents the Hamptons at its most authentic.
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