November means colder weather, shorter days and some great deals close to home.
Europeans have been coming to Long Island for years to stretch their Euros and enjoy the renowned hospitality of the area’s bed and breakfasts. According to Lorraine Opitz, the owner and operator of Miller Place Ark in Miller Place, travelers who prefer B&Bs tend to stay loyal.
“That’s the only way they travel, because they found they really get more for their money,” says Opitz.
At Miller Place Ark, that flavor often includes fresh-fruited Belgium waffles in the morning. Opitz goes above and beyond the service provided at most hotels, including a morning meal that transcends the typical continental breakfast.
Town codes in Long Island dictate owners must live on the premises. This not only means any problems are usually dealt with quickly, but expert advice about local sights that can’t be found in any guide book is readily available.
“Innkeepers understand the area and can direct them to the best places to go,” says North Fork Bed and Breakfast Association president Wilfred Joseph. “The whole point of the innkeeper is to enhance the guest’s experience.”
Joseph also happens to be the innkeeper at the Arbor View House in East Marion and says while the wineries are a huge draw, there are plenty of other attractions on the East End, including winter sporting events like ice boat races.
Tempted but don’t know where to start??You’re in luck. On Dec. 4, the North Fork Bed and Breakfast Association will present the “Holiday House Tour” in conjunction with five restaurants and vineyards from the North Fork. The tour, dubbed a “progressive tasting of the North Fork,” will visit five B&Bs stocked with wine and food from local restaurants and wineries, including Noah’s and Bella Vita Vineyard. Tickets are $75. Visit their website at www.nfbba.org for more information.
