Pridwin Hotel and Cottages to Re-open after Extensive Renovations
April 20, 2023
SHELTER ISLAND, NY – The classic American film Dirty Dancing showcased life at an upscale vacation resort in the summer of 1963. Exactly 60 years since this beloved movie was set, Cape Resorts is honoring the tradition of this iconic hospitality style of yesteryear with the reimagining and official debut of The Pridwin, a waterfront retreat on New York’s Shelter Island. Having softly launched in mid-summer 2022 following two years of extensive renovations, the fully realized property reopened today.
Originally constructed in 1927 and managed by the Petry family since 1961 until their recent collaboration with Cape Resorts, The Pridwin has long served as a beacon of tradition and welcoming hospitality on Long Island’s East End, according to a press release.
“Time truly stands still at The Pridwin,” says Curtis Bashaw, CEO of Cape Resorts. “A celebration of tradition and simple pleasures, the property represents everything Cape Resorts honors about authentic and timeless hospitality. Equal parts convivial gathering space and cloistered retreat, The Pridwin is spirit-filled with 96 years of summer traditions just waiting to be built upon. We are thrilled to launch our first full season next month after our top to bottom renovation last year, and are pleased that The Pridwin has retained its charm.”
Upon arrival at The Pridwin, guests are greeted in the lower lobby by a welcoming check-in area, lounge and adjacent ‘history hall’ that features archival photographs, property signage, room keys and hotel mementos from the past nine decades. Offset from the main foyer is Edie’s, a sundries shop named after former Pridwin matriarch Edie Petry, as well as a dedicated game room, fitness space and The Spa which houses three intimate treatment rooms and a luxurious hammam.
Across from the upper lobby sits The Terrace, a three-meal dining room helmed by newly appointed Executive Chef Todd Ruiz, which serves elevated American cuisine featuring locally caught fish and seafood, Shelter Island produce, and wines from East End vineyards and beyond. A double-sided fireplace extends the space out onto an expansive waterfront veranda and outdoor dining area that provides breathtaking views of The Pridwin’s great lawn and the Peconic Bay. An adjoining lounge, the Crescent Bar, features added nooks for onsite imbibing, as well as ample space for dancing to the stylings of a grand piano.
Floors three and four house 33 guest rooms offering waterfront or hillside vistas.
For guests seeking more privacy and space, The Pridwin offers an enclave of 16 private cottages of various configurations nestled among the trees, from studios to 2-bedroom duplex cottages. In keeping with the hotel’s camp-like vibe, the cottages each have their own unique design cues including wood burning fireplaces, kitchenettes, and private decks with sweeping water views.
The entire property’s design was spearheaded by Cape Resorts’ Vice President of Design, Colleen Bashaw. Evoking a timeless seaside resort, The Pridwin builds upon the hotel’s image of classic Adirondack summer camps and cottages. Many of the key elements of the original structure remain, including the exterior white paint color with signature hunter green window casements to maintain a sense of familiarity for returning guests.
The Pridwin is Cape Resorts’ second property located on the East End and joins its portfolio of Northeast resorts which include Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor, NY and a collection of hotels in Cape May, NJ, including the historic Congress Hall and Virginia hotels, the iconic Beach Shack, and the 62-acre Beach Plum Farm & Cottages.
