Blog Memories: A Summer Soirée at The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages on Shelter Island
Here's an encore blog from my visit to Shelter Island last year. This one originally ran on August 31st, 2022.
With its stunning water views and gentle bay breezes, Shelter Island, nestled between the North and South Forks of Long Island, New York is a wonderful place to visit.
Last week, I was invited to a summer soirée at the historic Pridwin Hotel & Cottages in Shelter Island Heights overlooking the breathtaking Peconic Bay. My friends, Susan Magrino, Kevin Sharkey, and Terre Blair joined me for a lovely evening of great food and cocktails hosted by fashion designer Dennis Basso and his husband, Michael. The Pridwin, part of Cape Resorts, celebrates its 95th anniversary this year following a complete renovation of its 33 rooms and 16 private cottages - all designed in a timeless and casual palette of bright, playful colors.
Here are some photos from our visit to The Pridwin, enjoy.
-
- It was a perfect evening for a late summer dinner. Here I am with our host, Dennis Basso, and Curtis Bashaw, managing partner of Cape Resorts, which oversaw The Pridwin’s extensive two-year renovation.
-
- Here is Dennis standing by the beautiful table set for 30 out on the deck with gorgeous views of the Peconic Bay.
-
- My seat looked out onto the water. Our dinner included a tomatoes and burrata salad, roasted chicken panzanella with artichokes, baby tomatoes and a bacon vinaigrette, and for dessert – Pridwin’s classic ice cream cookie sandwich.
-
- Here I am with Curtis and Will Riccio. I’m holding a charming Pridwin tote bag – every guest went home with one.
-
- The next day, Kevin took photos of the resort and its breathtaking waterfront views. The Pridwin sits on more than seven-acres overlooking Shelter Island’s pristine Crescent Beach.
-
- Here is the entrance with its bright and inviting yellow glass front door.
-
- Just inside behind the reception desk is a wall of keys – one to each of the 49 rooms and cottages.
-
- This welcoming fireplace is located in the general living room of The Pridwin with the original hotel shield hanging overhead.
-
- Not far is the Pridwin’s Crescent Bar with its whimsical red, white and pink cabana stripe awning and bar stools upholstered in a warm pink fabric. The renovation project’s design was under the direction of Colleen Bashaw, Curtis’ sister and VP of design for Cape Resorts. She says “The Pridwin was based upon the hotel’s image of classic Adirondack summer camps and cottages” – a playful mix of old and new. (Photo courtesy of Cape Resorts)
-
- Outside is The Pridwin’s expansive pool – also with views to the bay. (Photo courtesy of Cape Resorts)
-
- This is The Pridwin Hotel Maintenance Shed which is kept in immaculate condition. Kevin loved all the organization, but who wouldn’t?
-
- Every cord is coiled perfectly and hung on the wall.
-
- Here, Curtis poses with Edgardo Munoz, one of two who run the shed – it’s very impressive.
-
- In this photo, Curtis is joined by Paul Gorra, who is also responsible for this workshop.
-
- Many of the key elements of the original structure remain, including the exterior crisp white paint with the signature hunter green window casements.
-
- The Pridwin was named after Pridwen from the legends of King Arthur, the name of Arthur’s shield, which translates to ‘pride in winning’.
-
- Looking out from this lawn is another view of the Peconic Bay – the parent name for two bays between the North Fork and South Fork of New York’s Long Island. It is separated from Gardiners Bay by Shelter Island and is divided by Robins Island into the Great Peconic Bay on the west and Little Peconic Bay on the east.
-
- Here is one of the docks off Crescent Beach. Located on the North side of the island, Crescent Beach spans more than half a mile long.
-
- Kevin also captured this stunning image of another dock – one never tires of these gorgeous views. See lots of Kevin’s photos on his Instagram page @seenbysharkey.
-
- And here is a view heading back home aboard the North Ferry. What a lovely time spent on Shelter Island. If you’re ever in the area and want to treat yourself and your family to a special beachfront getaway, check out The Pridwin.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
