Only steps from the ocean, Daunt’s Albatross Motel has welcomed guests to Montauk with its 24 cozy rooms and authentic amenities since 1977. We caught up with owner Leodaunt to talk about family legacy, the albatross’ signature style, and its recently debuted bar and restaurant, The Bird.
The 24-room hotel evokes the spirit of old Montauk with its laid-back aesthetic and oceanic-inspired designs.
Tell us about the history of Daunt’s Albatross Motel.
In the early 1970s, the property was called the Albatross Inn, and across the street was the Albatross Cafe. When my grandparents bought the inn in 1976, they passed on purchasing the cafe as well, and renamed the inn the Daunt’s Albatross. Since then, our family has owned and operated the property, and in 2021, we hired Home Studios to help us renovate with an eye toward our family and Montauk’s history.
Since 1977, the Albatross has seen three generations of Daunts. How would you say the family’s hospitality journey has transformed over the years?
Th e renovation was a big pivot point for us in terms of being able to compete with some of the new properties in Montauk, but I would say our hospitality ethos has really remained pretty steady throughout the years, and that is passed down from our ‘Poppy.’ He still comes here to visit and will run into guests that have been coming for 40 years, and you hear him roaring laughing from across the street. Or he’s at the host stand welcoming people to his ‘slice of heaven.’ He really imbued us all not just with a deep love of Montauk, but with a passion for sharing it with other people.
What makes Montauk stand out from other towns around the Hamptons?
Although there is a narrative that everything has ‘changed’ in Montauk, one of the things that I think stands apart from the other Hamptons [villages] is the new crop of business owners that grew up in Montauk running shops downtown. Right next to us you have Olivia from Beer & Soda, Ariel and Alexis Engstrom running MTK T-shirts and Below the Blue, Kaya Bogetti running Kelly B and Candace Ceslow opening an art store. When you shop at those places, you’re helping a local family and community retain its roots.
The Albatross Motel’s lobby
How would you describe the aesthetic of the Albatross?
When we were renovating, we really wanted to retain what made Daunt’s, Daunt’s. Oliver Haslegrave and Home Studios helped us with that by investing in materials and ingredients that still made us feel like old Montauk, but elevated the guest experience. A good example of that is the irregular flagstone floors that run throughout our lobby and first floor. We want it to feel like you’re stepping into a new old Montauk.
The Bird is shaking up summer with a full brunch and dinner menu, complete with a delicious bar program. Did we mention all guests receive a gift card to the restaurant?
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
There are two. When you meet a guest that has been coming along the journey and really appreciates all the passion that you have put into the businesses. And showing up and being able to work every day with some really amazing co-workers who believe in the mission and want to have fun executing it.
Amenities include a pool, courtyard and cafe.
The Bird is now a part of the Daunt’s Albatross family. What can you tell us about the eatery?
The Bird is very similar to Daunt’s in that its a legacy Montauk business that we wanted to honor and respect while elevating. It’s now open for dinner as well as brunch, and we do live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Head chef Marcos Martinez has a variety of new American dishes and rotates the menu seasonally, while keeping a few classics on there. We put a huge emphasis on our cocktail program, and are excited to welcome our new bar manager, Travis Slocum, into the Bird family.
Any new plans you can buzz for the summer?
For a long time, The Bird property has really been known for brunch, so this is our second year doing a full cocktail and dinner program and it has been really taking off this year. We really designed with a feel toward being a very cozy, intimate space to spend time in at night, and love when people discover it and fall in love. Our new summer cocktail and dinner menus will be coming out Memorial Day weekend, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone! 44 S. Elmwood Ave., Montauk,dauntsalbatross.com
Photography by: PHOTO BY BRIAN FERRY
