The American Hotel

Historic eight-room hotel on Sag Harbor's Main Street, home to one of the country's deepest restaurant wine cellars.

Built in 1846 as a whaler's hotel, The American Hotel anchors Sag Harbor's Main Street and houses one of the most-awarded wine programs in the United States. Eight rooms upstairs are old-school in the best sense — antiques, four-posters, no televisions in some. A natural pairing with a North Fork wine day via the Shelter Island ferries. The wine list is the reason to book — Ted Conklin's cellar is one of the deepest restaurant lists in America, and it's the rare place where I've ordered a 20-year-old Long Island Merlot side-by-side with a Grand Cru Burgundy for comparison. Rooms upstairs are quirky and small; couples looking for a modern hotel should book Baron's Cove instead. Have dinner Friday, take the South and North Ferries to Greenport Saturday morning for a full day on the wine trail, and be back on the porch for a nightcap. Book the dining room at the same time you book the room.

Wine Spectator Grand Award cellar, historic Main Street

History

The current brick building traces to 1824, when cabinetmaker Nathan Tinker began construction; it operated through Sag Harbor's 1840s whaling boom and later additions turned it into today's hotel, which the property dates from 1846. An earlier inn on the site was seized from British officers in a 1778 raid led by Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs.

Rooms

There are eight double-occupancy rooms, individually decorated with American antiques, Frette sheets and comforters, and en-suite bathrooms with double whirlpool tubs, Frette robes and Occitane amenities. Room mix is two king rooms, five queen rooms, and one room with two oversized single beds. The hotel has no elevator, so guests with mobility concerns should contact the property directly about ground-floor options.

Food, drink and amenities

The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with room service available, and the hotel's wine cellar is described on its own site as featuring "a diverse selection." Continental breakfast is included daily, and large-screen TVs are located in the first-floor public rooms rather than in guest rooms.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How do I book a room at The American Hotel?
Use the “Check availability” button on this page to compare live rates across booking partners. Weekends in the wine-tasting season (May–November) fill up first — book as far ahead as possible.
Where is The American Hotel located?
The American Hotel is at 49 Main Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963, on the South Fork of Long Island.
How much does it cost to stay at The American Hotel?
The American Hotel is a luxury property in the ~$400–700/night range. Rates fluctuate by season and day of week — expect peak pricing on summer and harvest-season weekends.
Which wineries are near The American Hotel?
Channing Daughters Winery are all within easy reach of The American Hotel, which makes it a natural base for a South Fork wine-tasting weekend.
What is The American Hotel known for?
The American Hotel is known for wine spectator grand award cellar, historic main street.
What amenities does The American Hotel offer?
Guests at The American Hotel can expect Historic 1846 building, Wine Spectator Grand Award restaurant, Eight rooms, and Walkable Main Street. Confirm seasonal availability when booking, especially for pools, on-site dining and shuttle services.
What are check-in and check-out times at The American Hotel?
Standard check-in at The American Hotel is 3:00 pm and check-out is 11:00 am. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability — request them at booking or call the property the morning of arrival, especially on summer and harvest-season weekends when the hotel runs at full occupancy.
Is parking available at The American Hotel?
The American Hotel offers on-site parking for overnight guests. It's typically complimentary at South Fork properties, but confirm at check-in if you're arriving with multiple vehicles or an oversized van for a wine-tour group.