(Long Island, N.Y.) A beach front escape hours before you hit the Hamptons? Oh yeah. The Allegria Hotel is an oceanfront luxury property located in the iconic beach community of Long Beach – less than 30 miles from midtown Manhattan and 15 minutes from JFK.
They just wrapped up ‘Surf Week at the Allegria’ (July 11th through Friday, July 16th) where guests were treated to a week-long series of surf-themed special events, lessons, and fun for the whole family.
I’m no surfer and I’m petrified of the sea, but I had the opportunity to visit a few months ago and I must say, it was super chic. It’s got a South Beach, sophisticated vibe–elegant but not too stuffy where you feel like you can’t relax. In fact, the property embodies serenity and it makes the perfect setting for an ocean front escape. I loved every second on my stay there and feel it’s worth every penny.
The Allegria also offers surf lessons throughout the summer through Skudin Surf. Prices are $75/person for a group lesson, and $95/hour for a private lesson (one hour each).
If you’re planning a get-away and refuse to sweat it out sitting in traffic on the Long Island Expressway, here’s the scoop on a closer (and equally cool) Long Island hot spot.
Luxe Lodgings
The Allegria has 112 guestrooms and 31 suites, many with ocean views and they’re designed in a white and sand color palette with driftwood and periwinkle accents. Bathrooms are finished in limestone with rain showers and include signature marine-based skin and hair products. Rooms are equipped with high-definition LCD televisions, sumptuous 400-threadcount custom made in Paris, and towels woven from plush Egyptian cotton round out the amenities. All accommodations have Juliet balconies to let in the ocean air.
Sweet Services
A throw back to the days of cabana boys, the hotel’s beach concierge provides Allegria guests with custom beach chairs, umbrellas, towels and refreshments, as well as assisting with surf rentals, volleyball games and various other beach activities. Guests also have complimentary access to the rooftop ocean view fitness center and yoga studio as well as private beach access.
Lounge Out
L’Onda Lounge – meaning “wave” in Italian – features a large double-sided mirrored fireplace, 24-seat communal table, outside terrace service, and a circular bar made of glass mosaic. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Atlantic Ocean and Long Beach’s iconic boardwalk making it the quintessential setting for waterfront cocktails. Guests may choose from an eclectic list of cocktails and a menu of 100 wine varietals, many of which are organic and biodynamic. With 15 wines offered by the glass, selections hail from the North and South Fork wineries as well as international vineyards.
Decadent Dining
Led by esteemed Chef Todd Jacobs, the property’s signature restaurant and bar, the Atlantica Bar & Grill features robust yet sophisticated American cuisine. Jacobs is known by New Yorkers and Long Islanders from his long history with successful restaurants in the Hamptons. Atlantica at the Allegria sources and utilizes mostly locally grown and organic ingredients, a major component of Jacobs’ ‘close-to-door’ philosophy.
Jacobs draws on seasonal flavors with dishes from the “Sea” portion of the dinner menu that includes Pan Seared Local Sea Bass with Chili Lime Beurre Blanc served alongside Local Organic Greens Sautéed with Garlic and Crisp Corn Polenta or the Charbroiled Organic Scottish Salmon with Lemon-Caper Vinaigrette and accompanied by Grilled Vegetables and Organic Brown Rice. Other culinary creations showcased under the menu’s “Earth,” “Starters” and “Desserts” are equally tempting and represent Jacobs’ mastery of innovative American cuisine. The 143-seat space is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. For a more intimate and memorable experience, private dining includes a chef’s table for up to 16, just steps from the ocean, nestled quietly among the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling wine wall showcasing over 3,000 bottles.
Party Hearty
The hotel’s 3,182 square-foot grand ballroom can accommodate up to 200 guests and divides into smaller spaces for more intimate events. The luminous ballroom exudes luxury and glamour, with silver leaf ceiling tiles and 73 exquisite Kazumi glass chandeliers. Three meeting rooms situated on the third floor – Madison, Park and Lexington Suites – are ideal for breakout sessions. A dedicated staffer, skilled in orchestrating functions for social and corporate clients, is assigned to each event to ensure a smooth agenda from start to finish. The property’s location on the Atlantic Ocean is the ideal setting for special events on the beach. Chef Jacobs’ team oversees all catering for events.
