Dan's Papers - October 19, 2007 - Hampton Tradition IX

There are some places that, when you walk in, history talks to you. Ted Conklin's The American Hotel in Sag Harbor is without a doubt, such a place. The hotel rose from the ashes of Sag Harbor's original hotel, The Howell Inn, which along with the Phelps Hotel, was destroyed in the great fire of 1845. In 1846, the present building opened again but this time wisely built of bricks, many of which you can still see today. When you walk into the American Hotel, Ted has chosen Thomas Allnoch to greet you. He explained, "Whoever walks through the door is treated like a guest in my house, but I demand some respect for the home." As I spoke briefly with Allnoch, I observed just how perfect he is in his role of greeting, advising and helping all who walk into the hotel.

In 1972, the hotel was sold by the Young family, who had lived upstairs in what are now the eight guest rooms, and operated a restaurant downstairs. Conklin, whose father ran a successful brass business in Westhampton back then, bought the building at the age of 22. The building and interior looked nothing like the early American museum it is today. Conklin's friends doubted his venture even though he purchased the hotel at a very good price, but the process of bringing the establishment back to life as a hotel and fine dining restaurant began. Slowly but surely rooms were restored and furnished with the best period antiques Conklin could acquire, and the hotel was transformed into the masterpiece it is today.

Now, many local residents and visitors alike stop by for a friendly drink with Vinnie Rom, who has served behind the historic bar for over 15 years. Many use the movie and a meal deal that the hotel offers in conjunction with the Bay Street Theater. The dining room seats 125 and the bar has eight stools, and on any given night the warmth of the room greets any stranger in from the cold. The wine list consists of 2,500 bottles of wine with the $8,100 per bottle "Domaine de la Romanee Conti, 1990" being the costliest. The American Hotel only serves breakfast for the hotel guests but is open to the public for lunch and dinner seven days a week, fifty-two weeks of the year.

No one knows for sure, but Allnoch believes the wooden floor is the original. Conklin is proud of the job he has done finding the right blend of carpets, paintings, hurricane candles and framed prints to adorn the walls. I, myself can never get enough of the beautiful prints of the old, great sailboats that hang in one of the dining rooms. In the men's room are pictures of The American Hotel in the twenties, and another that must be circa the great Civil War. Since Conklin purchased the building, he has added a room with an atrium glass ceiling that is extremely pleasant to dine under.

This hotel has a tradition of being a wonderful place for families to have special gatherings. It has had its share of romantic dates and the bar is so friendly that within minutes you are engulfed in friendly chatter. This is all because of Conklin's vision. It is unbelievable that a twenty-two-year old would have the desire and the vision to take a part of Sag Harbor's past and restore it, then preserve it for its future. Perhaps Conklin has done well with his investment, but the true riches of his enterprise have been shared with the tens of thousands of people who have entered into his establishment. I believe everyone who enters the Hotel leaves gaining something.

Conklin looks younger than his soon-to-be 60 years. His meticulous presence in the way he dresses permeates down to the smallest detail of every room of The American Hotel. He has done the Hamptons a service by sparing no expense, and giving the community a traditional meeting and eating place with such history and distinction. He guards and protects the traditions of the past not only for the visitors of today, but with an eye into the future.