Fire Island is commutable as a day trip from New York City, but travel time is approximately 3 hours door-to-door. So these local options will be more convenient for most.
ON THE MAINLAND - LONG ISLAND, NY
Traditional hotels can only be found on the mainland and not on Fire Island itself. These range from a 10-20 minute car/taxi ride to the ferry. These are listed proximity to the ferry, with the closest option first: (Note: these are also all near Long Island’s MacArthur Airport.)
Mainland #1: HILTON GARDEN INN
[FYI: This is the only one we've actually stayed at before and can therefore personally recommend.]
3485 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 [please note similar address to Clarion below]
631-738-7800
Approx. 10-12 minutes without traffic
Mainland #2: LA QUINTA INNS & SUITES
10 Aero Road, Bohemia, NY 11716
(631) 881-7700
approx. 10-12 minutes without traffic
Mainland #3: COURTYARD MARRIOTT / LONG ISLAND MacARTHUR AIRPORT
5000 Express Drive South, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
(631) 612-5000
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ispcy-courtyard-long-island-macarthur-airport/
Approx. 12-14 minutes without traffic
Mainland #4: CLARION HOTEL
3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 [please note similar address to Hilton above]
(631) 585-9500
www.clarionhotel.com/hotel-ronkonkoma-new_york-NY578
approx. 12-14 minutes without traffic
Mainland #5: RAMADA PLAZA LONG ISLAND
1730 North Ocean Ave, Holtsville, NY 11742
(631) 758-2900
approx. 17-19 minutes without traffic
Mainland #6: HYATT REGENCY WIND WATCH
1717 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge NY
(631) 232-9800
http://longisland.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
approx. 19-20 minutes without traffic
Mainland Bonus: LAND’S END MOTEL
There’s also a cute motel right next to the Ferry.
This would be the absolute closest option. Currently their office is only open Wednesday through Sunday 10am-6pm, but you can also leave a message to inquire about reservations and they will call you back.
70 Browns River Road Sayville, NY 11782
(631) 589-2040
They don’t have a website, but here’s info on Trip Advisor:
www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g48568-d93779-Reviews-Land_s_End_Motel-Sayville_New_York.html
If you do stay on the mainland, you'll need to plan taxi service between the hotel and ferry, The preferred local taxi/car service option is:
Colonial Transportion
[Colonial runs the Shuttle service from the train to the ferry.]
888.451.9511
www.colonialtransportation.com
ON FIRE ISLAND / PINES
Pines #1: THE MADISON (BOUTIQUE HOTEL)
This is the one luxury/boutique hotel in the Pines.
It is right off the Pines Harbor, a 1 minute walk from the harbor.
It is also very expensive, approximately $500 or more a night.
It’s beautiful, with pool, and also offers cooking services.
22 Atlantic Walk, Fire Island Pines
(631) 597-6061
Compute rates and reserve online: www.themadisonfi.com/#/reservations
Pines #2: ATLANTIC HOUSE (VERY NICE BED & BREAKFAST)
This is a private establishment right in the harbor where the ferry lands, close to The Madison above. It’s 6 rooms guest rooms, each with their own bathrooms. With communal living spaces/kitchen and a roofdeck view looking over the entire harbor.
This is especially convenient, very well-maintained and not as expensive as The Madison.
It’s run by a sweet, older gentleman named Wayne Heyser (who runs it for local businesswoman Karen Boss, a longtime resident of FIP who with her husband owns several Pines companies). Wayne lives on site 24/7 with an upper-floor apartment.
The basic rate is $900 for check-in Friday, check-out Sunday, with $200/night thereafter.
To contact Wayne, use his email: Heyser48@gmail.com
You should mention that you’re coming in for our wedding (and use Michael’s name).
Pines #3: THE HOTEL BY SHARE GURL (FORMERLY THE BOTEL - A LOWER-END MULTI-STORY “MOTEL”)
This cinderblock hotel is in the commercial strip along Pines Harbor.
It’s pretty rundown, but the only “affordable” accommodation option in the Pines.
Unless you’re going for the top floor Penthouses (which aren’t that luxurious), it’s essentially the quality of a motel.
As this is in the heart of the commercial district (with several dance floors including 1 outdoor dancefloor by the pool), this can also be a loud visit.
NOTE: the main commercial district only just had its sale completed to new owners.
Reservations are not being taken yet, but should be soon.
If this option interests you, let us know and we can let you know when they start.
FYI: if you look on their website, under Low Tea, there’s a link to a DJ set that Mike spun last summer!
http://pinesfi.com/blue-whale/low-tea/
Pines #4: McKENNA OASIS
This is a “B&B” of sorts that’s actually a cute, vintage house right on the Bay, rather close to Gibbon Hill in the East End.
www.facebook.com/McKennaOasisFIP?fref=photo
They only have 2 available bedrooms. $250/night and don’t require a minimum number of nights. It’s run by our friend Donna McKenna (she’s slightly older, a little crazy, but a lot of fun…think one of Mike's crazy Italian aunts) and her husband Paul. W would graciously call them hippies. The main boulevard in the Pines is named after her uncle, who was a legendary fixture in the community and this was his house.
FYI: their certificate of occupancy only allows 2 people in each room at a time.
To contact Donna, first text her cell at (201) 913-5687 – as she doesn’t pick up numbers she’s unfamiliar with.
Say you’re friends of ours and then you can arrange a time to talk.
ON FIRE ISLAND / CHERRY GROVE
The “sister” and closest community to the Pines is Cherry Grove. It is one community west, separated from the Pines by a stretch of beach/dunes/forest. This is a more laid-back, artistic community. You’re more likely to see cottages than Pines mansions.
It’s about a 30 minute walk on the beach, or a 10 minute ferry taxi ride away. Unfortunately, due to a massive fire this Spring there is only one housing option this summer:
THE BELVEDERE (GUEST HOUSE)
This guest house is for men only and be forewarned: is also clothing optional.
It’s the first accommodation in Cherry Grove after the walk from the Pines and is beautifully situated right on the Bay.
It has a crazy ornate style: think Victorian Mansion meets 50s kitsch.
http://belvederefireisland.com/
(631) 597-6448