Is Montauk Yacht Club worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Montauk Yacht Club is worth it for travelers who want a waterfront Montauk base with on-site marina access, multiple pools (including an adults-only pool), and a full slate of beach, fitness, and spa options. It’s less compelling if you’re budget-focused: a mandatory Water Club/resort fee and seasonal service hours add extra cost and planning.
In this guide
Location & setting
Montauk Yacht Club sits on Star Island along Lake Montauk at 32 Star Island Rd, Montauk, NY. The property is a historic 1928 waterfront resort with cottages, guest rooms and an on-site marina.
Because it’s on the marina, the hotel is convenient for boating, fishing, paddle sports, and quick access to Montauk Village and nearby beaches. Distances to local attractions vary by source (for example, Montauk Point Lighthouse is reported as roughly 4–6.5 miles away).
- Private beach on site (hours and life-vest rules published on the hotel site).
- On-property access to paddleboards, kayaks and boating from the marina.
- Close to Montauk beaches, state parks, and the Block Island seasonal ferry.
| Nearby place | Typical travel note |
|---|---|
| Montauk Point Lighthouse | Several sources list it about 4–6.5 miles; travel time varies by bike or car |
| Montauk Village / Marina area | Short drive or walk depending on route |
| Local surf and swimming beaches | Multiple beaches a short drive; Gin Beach often cited about 10 minutes away |
Pools, beach and waterfront amenities
The resort offers three pools total: two outdoor pools (including the adults-only Ocean Club/Marina Pool) and an indoor pool next to the fitness center. Pool hours and seasonal closures vary, and the Great Lawn Pool may be seasonal.
Pool and beach access rules are specific: attendants may reset lounge chairs if a guest leaves a spot for more than 15 minutes, access is limited to four people per room or slip, and weather can affect access.
- Adults-only Ocean Club/Marina Pool (18+).
- Great Lawn Pool — family-friendly; sometimes seasonal.
- Indoor pool open to all ages next to the gym.
| Pool | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ocean Club / Marina Pool | Adults-only (18+), marina views |
| Great Lawn Pool | Family-friendly; located near cottages and padel courts |
| Indoor pool | Open to all ages and adjacent to fitness center |
Rooms, cottages and what to expect
Montauk Yacht Club has coastal-modern guest rooms and several historic cottages. The property lists eight room types, including Suite, Room, Room, Resort View, Room, Courtyard View, Room (Water View), Room (Waterview), Room (Bragg Estate), and Room, Beachfront. Room configurations include King Bed and/or 2 Double Beds depending on the type.
Expect a mix of lawn-facing cottages and rooms with marina or water views; some rooms have private patios or balconies. Specific bed configurations and whether a rollaway is allowed depend on the room type.
- Room types (exact names): Suite; Room, Resort View; Room, Courtyard View; Room (Water View); Room (Waterview); Room (Bragg Estate); Room, Beachfront; Room.
- Rollaway/extra bed fees typically apply (roughly $75–$100/day per one source).
- Rooms and cottages are non-smoking.
| Room name | Typical bed options (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Suite | 1 King Bed |
| Room, Resort View | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
| Room (Water View) | 2 Double Beds (note: other water-view Room listed as 1 King Bed) |
Dining, spa and fitness
On-site dining includes ALBA Spiaggia (coastal Italian, breakfast/lunch/dinner with published hours and seasonal operation), The Pool Bar (casual poolside bites and drinks), Yachtys (a food truck on the Great Lawn open Friday–Sunday), and The Market for grab-and-go items.
The Cabana Spa (also described as the Cabana Spa by ELEMIS for the 2026 season) operates from floating wellness cabanas and requires reservations. The resort also offers a 24-hour fitness center and complimentary yoga/pilates classes in a dedicated Studio.
- ALBA Spiaggia hours include breakfast 8:00–11:00 AM and lunch/dinner with seasonally published times; reservations recommended via Resy.
- Pool Bar open daily (hours listed on the hotel compendium) with weekend live music at times.
- Spa hours and availability vary by season; confirm reservations with concierge.
| Venue | Quick note |
|---|---|
| ALBA Spiaggia | Waterfront Italian concept; reservations suggested |
| The Pool Bar | Poolside drinks and small plates; weekend music sometimes |
| Yachtys | Casual food truck near family pool (Fri–Sun) |
Family vs adult balance
Montauk Yacht Club markets itself as a mixed-use, family-friendly resort while also offering adults-only areas like the Ocean Club/Marina Pool. That makes it a workable option for families who want dedicated kid-friendly pool space as well as couples seeking quieter areas.
Children of all ages are welcome, but some pricing rules treat older children as adults and some pool areas are restricted by age. The property also runs family-friendly programming alongside adult wellness options.
- Great Lawn Pool is family-focused; Ocean Club Pool limited to 18+.
- Children 13 and older are often charged as adults (check booking terms).
- Family programming and casual dining (Yachtys) are geared to kids and groups on-site.
| Audience | On-site options |
|---|---|
| Families | Family pool, Yachtys food truck, cottages and lawn space |
| Adults | Ocean Club/Marina Pool (18+), Cabana Spa, adults-only lounge areas |
| Pet owners | Property welcomes dogs (check current pet policy/fee with hotel) |
Value considerations and fees
A mandatory daily Water Club/resort fee covers a bundle of amenities (in-room premium Wi‑Fi, pool and fitness access, marina lounge access, private beach access, some transportation within a 5-mile radius, lifestyle programming and other inclusions). The fee has varied seasonally and by listing, so confirm the current amount and exact inclusions before booking.
Additional costs commonly encountered: cooked-to-order breakfast (not included in the room rate), possible rollaway/extra-bed charges, parking/valet fees where applicable, spa treatments and dining à la carte. The property also places a $200 incidental hold at check-in.
- Mandatory Water Club fee — confirms access to many amenities but increases the nightly total.
- Breakfast is available for an additional charge (commonly reported around $30–$50 per person).
- $200 incidental hold authorized at check-in; rollaway fees and pet fees may apply.
| Charge type | Typical notes |
|---|---|
| Water Club / resort fee | Mandatory; includes pool/fitness/transport and in-room premium Wi‑Fi (amount varies by season) |
| Incidentals | $200 hold at check-in (removed at checkout if unused) |
| Breakfast / additional dining | Most dining is à la carte; breakfast not included in room rate |
