Martha Gundersen of Douglas Elliman is an authority on all things Hamptons and all things real estate. After coming to the East End in the ’80s, she’s amassed a strong clientele and has seen and sold the best of the Hamptons from Southampton to Montauk. Here, she spills some of the area’s best-kept secrets.
Martha Gundersen
What is your favorite area of the Hamptons, and why do you love it? The most beautiful thing about where we live in the Hamptons is the access to clean water. Between the pristine ocean beaches and the calming waters of the bays, it is heavenly. I love looking toward Gardiners Island at Fresh Pond Beach in Amagansett and never tire of the view.
What is your favorite place to exercise or work out? Walking on the Ocean Beach from Georgica Beach to Main Beach is wonderful. If you walk one way with the wind on your back, you can walk up to Lily Pond and walk the way back, looking at the beautiful estates.
Gardiners Island
Where do you like to source food locally? Farm stands in the summer like Pike Farms stand on Sagg Main Street in Sagaponack and Beach Lane Babinski farm stand in Wainscott have the best produce.
What are your go-to clothing stores around town? J.Crew, Ralph Lauren and Gubbins in East Hampton for shoes and athletic clothing.
The facade of The American Hotel
What is your favorite local brunch spot? Pierre’s in Bridgehampton is really fantastic. Pierre always makes you feel welcome and the food is always fresh and delicious. Also The American Hotel in Sag Harbor and Cove Hollow Tavern near Red Horse in East Hampton.
What is your favorite spa and treatment around town? Naturopathica is the best!
Where’s the best place to spot celebs in the Hamptons? Usually it is the restaurants in the evenings. However, during the pandemic, it would be walking down Georgica Road or walking on the beach.
What is your dream home street or address? Highway Behind the Pond in East Hampton or West End Avenue... especially the end.
Naturopathica
What neighborhood are you loving right now? I love my own neighborhood in the Devon Colony area.
What are you most looking forward to this summer? Like everyone, it will be nice to take our masks off and give a friend a hug or shake a person’s hand. Also, travel outside of a 25-mile radius!
Any exciting listings or other real estate or business news that you want to spotlight? We have a dozen closings coming up, but one of my favorites we just closed on is 257 Further Lane in East Hampton—an iconic home on 3.5 acres but set on 45 acres of open space reserve.
Photography by: PORTRAIT BY SCOTT ENSTINE; AMERICAN PHOTO BY STEPHEN SAKS; COURTESY OF NATUROPATHICA; GARDINERS PHOTO BY JEAN HODGENS
