What’s your favourite destination and why?
The Hamptons has so much to offer — the beach and amazing sports opportunities. My husband Robert grew up there, and my sons Dylan and Elliott grew up visiting. Now they work as lifeguards at the beach when they’re back from college, so we try to spend as much quality time together when they aren’t working. The Hamptons has a lot for their age group, but also for me and my seven-year-old, Violet. It holds a lot of great memories for us. We were last there from July into August.
Where do you like to stay?
In Southampton, at an all-American style of house which we rent. If you want to stay at a hotel there’s the The American Hotel in Sag Harbor, which is very traditional.
The Palm
What are your favourite restaurants?
For breakfast go to Sip’n Soda in Southampton, which is a diner that’s also open for lunch and dinner — but the breakfast is what gives you that all-American feeling. Sit at the bar and order the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. There’s also great milkshakes and homemade ice cream. La Fondita in Montauk is great for take-out Mexican. I always get the burrito, chips and guacamole to eat at the beach. Then for dinner, The Palm in East Hampton is the perfect place for lobster and French fries — it’s very traditional and we’ve spent many nights eating there.
Where do you go to let your hair down?
My friends — Lauren Santo Domingo, Alexia Leuschen, Tory Burch — and I love to play Rummikub. I’m obsessed! Sometimes we play while the kids are at the beach. Though if we’re going out, there’s the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett which always has amazing bands playing. I saw Metallica there this summer.
What’s one unmissable thing you recommend doing?
Go to the beach! They’re not overcrowded, and you get your own expanse of sand, plus food trucks drive down so you can stay all day. Montauk is very surfy, Southampton is great for chilling. Plus there’s crazy golf, or you can go and hike in the dunes. There’s something for everyone! Or at Road G, you can drive your truck down to surf — which my son loves.
Tabitha Simmons
Dave Benett
What’s your favourite beauty spot?
Go to Duryea’s, Montauk — the seafood restaurant. It’s unbelievable at sunset when the sky turns bright orange. Then after 6pm, we go and build a fire on the beach and toast marshmallows. It’s a classic American movie vibe.
What’s the dress code for the destination?
A summery dress, like a Zimmermann one, and some slides. People leave their shoes at the edge of the beach (they don’t get stolen!) and you can slip them back on for dinnertime.
Which songs reminds you of the place?
This summer it was KPop Demon Hunters’ Golden and Oasis’s Champagne Supernova. My daughter was obsessed with Demon Hunters, so every time I got in the car, I didn’t have a chance to play anything else. Or if it was my choice, as we were going to Oasis at the end of summer, I was playing their 1990s classics as I was really excited. My son also loves that era of music.
What’s your packing essential?
I was wearing a ton of Nounou bikinis, which is a really nice British brand. They’re cotton with these sweet bows on the side, and I got a lot of compliments on them. Plus we need loads of sunblock for my sons when they go out surfing.
What are your favourite shops?
Amagansett in East Hampton is almost like Rodeo Drive. It has every designer store that you could possibly imagine including The Row (which is dangerous), and Southampton has great swimwear shops. Go to Roller Rabbit which has crazy printed pyjamas. Or L’Épicuriste which sells amazing tablewear and has pops-ups in the back.
Duryea’s seafood restaurant in Montauk is unbelievable at sunset when the sky turns bright orange
Is there a hidden gem you’re willing to share?
Everybody loves it, but the frozen yoghurt shop, BuddhaBerry. You go and help yourself and there are thousands of topping options and your eyes are always much bigger than your belly. There’s one in Sag Harbor and another in Southampton. Every generation loves it.
Do you exercise while you’re there?
Yes, there is a great place called Wave which has amazing infrared workout classes, as well as massages. Or I go to SLT which offers Pilates with cardio and will leave you saying “Oh my gosh” when you walk out. Then of course there’s the Tracey Anderson Method.
What would you bring home as a souvenir?
I love the big sweatshirts which say “Southampton” on the front, because it gets cold at night and it feels so right to wear one.
What are your favourite memories of being there?
Spending real quality family time, where we don’t need to travel and everyone’s around. At points I had teenagers and a toddler at the same time there.
Which building there would you love to live in?
A friend of mine has a phenomenal house on the beach in South Hampton which sits just in the dunes and it’s original. I’d love one just like it! It has a double kitchen island in a pink scheme that’s 1950s inspired. There’s also an amazing breakfast room where if you throw the windows open you can hear the waves crashing.
