Dede Gotthelf Photo by T.J. Clemente

Hampton Tradition XXXIV - Southampton Inn

By T.J. Clemente

The Southampton Inn has been a focal point of the community since Jim Passavia founded it in 1972. Twenty-six years later, current owner Dede Gotthelf purchased the Inn, which has long been a respite for so many visitors to Southampton including many of the rich and famous.

Gotthelf is a former Hampton Bays lifeguard, and recalled spending summers at her family's cottage in that town. "In 1951 my father went to rent the cottage for the usual $500, but ended up buying it for $1,000," she said, describing Hampton Bays in the 1950s as an "idealistic place that was so wonderful for real people to have a spot in the country at the beach."

Gotthelf went on to be one of the first women to attend Williams College, and afterwards worked for Chase Manhattan Bank, her mentor being the legendary David Rockefeller. She has summed up her career to date as a "banker, broker, bureaucrat, builder and now an innkeeper."

Gotthelf's vision is now focused on creating a world-class restaurant at the Inn. Oso, a steakhouse, will be opening in May and will have many creative features including children's tables and chairs so the youngsters can dine with their feet on the ground. Heather Dunn of Heather Dunn and Co. was brought in to cover the main wall with a unique mossy green weathered plaster. An outdoor cocktail section is also being created for guests. Gotthelf's enthusiasm for this project was evident, as she is personally selecting the art, chairs, tables and floors to make sure that Oso will be a wonderful platform for four-star Chef Peter Dunlop, who has worked at The American Hotel in Sag Harbor. Gotthelf added that Oso would present both classic and imaginative dishes featuring local produce that when in season she considers second to none.

The Southampton Inn has already been a traditional home for wonderful weddings, catered conferences, wine tastings and Town meetings. In fact, the Town gathered there to have a public forum with LIPA concerning the proposed power lines. And the Inn's 90 guestrooms have all recently been remodeled and refitted with Tempur-Pedic mattresses.

Another caveat of The Southampton Inn is its children's playroom that includes an authentic Viking range, video games, toys and TV. Along with the children's playroom, the Inn has a swimming pool and beautiful grounds with chairs strategically located for afternoon reading or private conversations. The grounds are so pristine that many a wedding photo has been taken on there in the last 36 years.

The Inn will also soon be the home of The Elaine Benson Gallery featuring the art of Kimberly Goff.

The future is bright for The Southampton Inn. Gotthelf is committed to keep the Inn and its soon-to-be-opened restaurant's atmosphere "Southampton country, casual crisp and clear with a lot of whimsy." The front desk staff - Kim, Holly, Rita, Katie, Michelle, Roy, Gerry - have all been seasoned in treating everyone who enters the Inn in a warm special way, being attentive to their needs and desires, and always with a genuine smile.

The definition of an Inn is a place that provides food and lodging for travelers. The Southampton Inn under the watchful skilled eye of Gotthelf will continue to be that and so much more.

The Southampton Inn is located at 91 Hill Street, Southampton. For more information, visit southamptoninn.com or call 1-800-832-6500/631-283-6500.

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