For many people, the Hamptons bring to mind multimillion-dollar beachside properties and restaurants with queues that stretch further than the sand itself. But 20 minutes off Route 27, down a windy and tree-hugged road, Terra Glamping offsets the glitz of the more popular stretches of the eastern end of Long Island. Established in 2014 by Rebecca Martin and David Levine (a 20-year veteran of event-planning and a former traveling saxophonist respectively), the company provides guests with luxe tents in an ideal location on an all-but-private beach.
Once inside Cedar Point County Park, just north of East Hampton, Martin and Levine’s 30 safari-style rental tents (which start at $300 per night) overlook the shimmering waters between the park’s bluffs and Sag Harbor.
Inside, two configurations can accommodate two on a queen bed or four on two queen beds. There are bath products from Malin+Goetz, sunscreens from Supergoop and lotions and moisturizers from Seed Phytonutrients. On the wooden porch that juts out beyond the zippered entrance, two folding chairs afford excellent views of the water.
Emily Bishop, the onsite manager, happily welcomes guests of all ages—from families and couples to corporate retreats and retirees. “Our motto around here is just if you take something, make sure to put it back,” she explains. The sentiment feels consistent throughout their semi-permanent set-up. During the months when the weather is warmest, the company occupies this site among trees and alongside dunes and calm waves.
There’s no WiFi or A/C and only flickering cell service. But there’s included breakfast (which consists of locally-sourced pastries, coffee and fruit), kayaks and paddle-boards to borrow at no charge, impressive bathing (which includes hot water) and lounging installations, and a grill for cooking lunch or dinner.
For those that still wish to partake in the luxe amenities the Hamptons offer, Terra Glamping is mere miles from plenty of popular spots along the 27—from The Surf Lodge, to newly opened Best Pizza and Dive Bar, the Parrish Art Museum and many more. Whether for a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation, Terra Glamping is an access point to nature’s wonder, plenty of drinking and dining options, sandy beaches and offers a little respite from the city.
Images by Evan Malachosky