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 whimsical 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 will reopen on April 20th, 2023, as a haven of relaxed elegance and luxurious fun.
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. Perfectly combining playful nostalgia with a modern sensibility, the refreshed Main House features 33 rooms and various gathering and meeting spaces, plus 16 private cottages, all situated on over 7 acres of lovingly restored shoreline that overlooks Shelter Island’s Crescent Beach.
“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 so proud that we were able to fully update the building while retaining its soul and respecting what is beautiful about Shelter Island.”
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 Sea Spa which houses three intimate treatment rooms and a luxurious hammam.
On the second floor, the upper lobby’s main hall is adorned by numerous dramatic vintage chandeliers repurposed from The Pridwin’s original dining room. The adjacent living room boasts a cozy wood burning hearth, fully-stocked library, and a large catalog of board games. The space is perfectly flexed for year-round gathering – whether for an early morning coffee, afternoon cocktail, or rainy day refuge.
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. Providing true Shelter Island luxury, each room features nautical accents throughout – a nod to The Pridwin’s location perched on a rise overlooking Crescent Beach.
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, spearheaded by Cape Resorts’ Vice President of Design, Colleen Bashaw, is playful, yet classic and casual with an eclectic mix of old and new. Authentic, whimsical and almost cinematic in its appeal, every space has been refreshed with new color and creative twists to delight guests new and old. 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 sprawling retreat and camp-like atmosphere is enhanced by its plethora of outdoor spaces and activities to fill the long summer days and beyond. A private swimming pool and beach overlook the 120-foot east and west docks, both offering bar and food services. Additional guest activities and rentals include bikes, paddleboards, kayaks, tennis, fishing, and motorized water sports, among other seasonal offerings, like complimentary yoga classes and family-friendly programming.
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.
