Visitors entering the American Beech hotel will find themselves in an unusual reception area. It shares open space with fashions from Argentinian-born and Greenport-based designer Alex Vinash, whose celebrity clients include Paris Hilton, Nelly Furtado and Katharine McPhee.
The part lounge, part store is where check-in happens, where the smart Alex Vinash store is incorporated into the whole thing. The common area includes large archways, a waterfall in the middle of the room, tropical wallpaper, high ceilings with wooden beams, bamboo details and funky 70s-inspired orange-striped velvet chairs.
"They always think it's really interesting that we have a shop in our reception," American Beech manager Kayla Lyburd says of the hotel's guests.
American Beech's stylish and eye-catching setup reflects a growing trend in the industry to take the typical in-house shop way beyond the next level from their traditional predecessors. And it's one of three Long Island hotels bringing new style and sophistication to their boutiques.
In these hotels, you will not find the simple operations that have historically been installed only to sell postcards, magazines and things guests have forgotten at home, such as toothpaste or sunscreen. What you'll find are carefully curated deals ranging from designer clothing and jewelry that run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars to high-end housewares.
"Where once the hotel retail store was often an afterthought, sometimes run by the hotelier's spouse, today's hotel retail store is a carefully curated brand touchpoint along the guest journey," explains Chekitan S. Dev, author of the book "Hospitality Branding" and a professor at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
Dev adds that while some hotels now have their own elevated stores, others have started "co-branding" with well-known retailers.
"Boutique hotels that promise a locally inspired and design-forward experience" are leading this movement, says Dev.
The president and CEO of the Washington-based American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Chip Rogers, agrees. AHLA is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels and the 16 largest hotel companies in the country.
“This is about evolving to meet the changing needs and preferences of guests – something hotels are constantly doing,” says Rogers. "The specifics of how hotels adapt will vary from property to property."
Here's a closer look at American Beech's store and several local leaders in this trend—all with stores worth shopping at, whether you're a hotel guest or not.
"People often walk into the reception area and are drawn in by the store - both to shop and because most people have never been in such a reception area with so many cool things," says Lyburd. You'll find high-quality fashion and accessories for men and women — with some dresses priced at $500 — but there are also quirky items and gifts available, such as statues, cocktail shakers and fun wine glasses.
Mere info:American Beech Hotel, 300 Main St., Greenport; 631-886-4631,alexvinash.com
As the general store name suggests, there is a nod to the past in this store, but it reflects the hotel's style of passing days by with a modern and exclusive spin. There are some staples you'd find in a traditional country store, including clothes, magazines, fresh baked goods and local cheeses, but things like the elegant cafe decor, plush seating and espresso bar are very much now.
"Our general store celebrates Greenport's roots as a fishing town," says Mario Corrado Jr., the hotel's general manager. Some offerings that can make you smile are s'mores kits, oyster shuckers, cigar cutters, travel humidors and picnic baskets that come equipped with full service. Afghans, Ethiopian gauze linen doormats and cashmere hats for winter are also sold.
Mere info:207 Front St., Greenport;631-333-2777,themenhaden.com
If you can't make a trip to this store in person, some Gurney's branded apparel and other offerings from the store can be purchased online, where baseball caps, hoodies, baby bodysuits and exclusive designer partnership products like Gurney's Garrett Leight sunglasses with blue lenses for $420 are available.
"Shopping is part of the retail experience, and guests now want more than just a gift shop," says Paul Birardi, Gurney's retail consultant. "We focus on having something for everyone, from adults to children," with choices at the low end of the price being a $5 lip balm and at the high end a $2,000 piece of jewelry. He adds: "Each season we work to improve the range with brands they want and introduce guests to new brands with a mix of exclusives."
Mere info:290 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk;631-668-2345,gurneysresorts.com
Visitors entering the American Beech hotel will find themselves in an unusual reception area. It shares open space with fashions from Argentinian-born and Greenport-based designer Alex Vinash, whose celebrity clients include Paris Hilton, Nelly Furtado and Katharine McPhee.
The part lounge, part store is where check-in happens, where the smart Alex Vinash store is incorporated into the whole thing. The common area includes large archways, a waterfall in the middle of the room, tropical wallpaper, high ceilings with wooden beams, bamboo details and funky 70s-inspired orange-striped velvet chairs.
"They always think it's really interesting that we have a shop in our reception," American Beech manager Kayla Lyburd says of the hotel's guests.
American Beech's stylish and eye-catching setup reflects a growing trend in the industry to take the typical in-house shop way beyond the next level from their traditional predecessors. And it's one of three Long Island hotels bringing new style and sophistication to their boutiques.
In these hotels, you will not find the simple operations that have historically been installed only to sell postcards, magazines and things guests have forgotten at home, such as toothpaste or sunscreen. What you'll find are carefully curated deals ranging from designer clothing and jewelry that run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars to high-end housewares.
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"Where once the hotel retail store was often an afterthought, sometimes run by the hotelier's spouse, today's hotel retail store is a carefully curated brand touchpoint along the guest journey," explains Chekitan S. Dev, author of the book "Hospitality Branding" and a professor at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
Dev adds that while some hotels now have their own elevated stores, others have started "co-branding" with well-known retailers.
"Boutique hotels that promise a locally inspired and design-forward experience" are leading this movement, says Dev.
The president and CEO of the Washington-based American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Chip Rogers, agrees. AHLA is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels and the 16 largest hotel companies in the country.
“This is about evolving to meet the changing needs and preferences of guests – something hotels are constantly doing,” says Rogers. "The specifics of how hotels adapt will vary from property to property."
Here's a closer look at American Beech's store and several local leaders in this trend—all with stores worth shopping at, whether you're a hotel guest or not.
ALEX VINASH BOUTIQUE
"People often walk into the reception area and are drawn in by the store - both to shop and because most people have never been in such a reception area with so many cool things," says Lyburd. You'll find high-quality fashion and accessories for men and women — with some dresses priced at $500 — but there are also quirky items and gifts available, such as statues, cocktail shakers and fun wine glasses.
Mere info:American Beech Hotel, 300 Main St., Greenport; 631-886-4631,alexvinash.com
MENHADEN GENERAL STORE
As the general store name suggests, there is a nod to the past in this store, but it reflects the hotel's style of passing days by with a modern and exclusive spin. There are some staples you'd find in a traditional country store, including clothes, magazines, fresh baked goods and local cheeses, but things like the elegant cafe decor, plush seating and espresso bar are very much now.
"Our general store celebrates Greenport's roots as a fishing town," says Mario Corrado Jr., the hotel's general manager. Some offerings that can make you smile are s'mores kits, oyster shuckers, cigar cutters, travel humidors, and picnic baskets that come equipped with full service. Afghans, Ethiopian gauze linen doormats and cashmere hats for winter are also sold.
Mere info:207 Front St., Greenport;631-333-2777,themenhaden.com
GURNEY'S DETAILBUTIK
If you can't make a trip to this store in person, some Gurney's branded apparel and other offerings from the store can be purchased online, where baseball caps, hoodies, baby bodysuits and exclusive designer partnership products like Gurney's Garrett Leight sunglasses with blue lenses for $420 are available.
"Shopping is part of the retail experience, and guests now want more than just a gift shop," says Paul Birardi, Gurney's retail consultant. "We focus on having something for everyone, from adults to children," with choices at the low end of the price being a $5 lip balm and at the high end a $2,000 piece of jewelry. He adds: "Each season we work to improve the range with brands they want and introduce guests to new brands with a mix of exclusives."
Mere info:290 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk;631-668-2345,gurneysresorts.com
By Lisa Irizarry
lisa.irizarry@newsday.com