“You’re in the Hamptons—everything is easy!”

That’s what Kristen Schnerman, the director of rooms of the newly opened Faraway Sag Harbor, exclaims when we ask for recommendations for an “easy” lunch. Indeed, the sentiment applies broadly to this corner of Long Island—especially to Sag Harbor, an unincorporated village centered around its charming main drag: nothing is more than a 10-minute stroll away from the Faraway’s waterfront property (in this case, a quick, unfussy meal of wood-fired pizza from Sag Pizza, followed by frozen yogurt from BuddhaBerry).

While the rest of the Hamptons thins out after the summer dies down, Sag Harbor stays populated all year long. So, in 2025, when Blue Flag Capital acquired the local landmark Baron’s Cove—a renowned hotel dating back to the late 1950s—residents were understandably anxious about maintaining the town’s character.

When the Faraway hotel opened in June after a breakneck seven months of renovations, the new owners hoped to prove to Sag Harbor residents that they want to add to the storied property’s legacy—and offer a warm welcome to the town’s longtime inhabitants and tourists alike. (One way that the Faraway plans to engage with the community? The hotel plans to remain open well after the busy season ends, only closing for a brief respite in January, ensuring that it is just as much a resource to the year-round community as it is to the out-of-towners.)

The Faraway fosters a sense of invitation before we even enter the building. As we walked up the steps of its homey front porch, we were greeted with a tableau of white Adirondack chairs scattered across the lawn, encouraging guests and non-guests alike to wander in and take a seat. (At night, locals and tourists alike can gather around the fire pits for a nightcap. While we were too stuffed from dinner at Tutto Il Giorno in town to partake, it sure sounded like a party.) In the lobby, lightly dusted with the hotel’s signature Maison 21G fragrance, we were greeted by a friendly staff outfitted in full Alex Mill.

The lobby lounge, its walls painted to look like the glassy ocean, is also a convenient, community-oriented space. Whether setting up a makeshift WFH office on one of the round rattan tables or congregating on the cozy fireside couch, the common area is multifunctional. And, for the avid readers, sidle up to one of the clamshell-shaped barstools and have a chat with the bartender, Gregory Jackson, about your poolside book of choice as he makes you a cocktail that “gets you where you need to go.”

While the hotel’s restaurant, Zagara, is open to all, managing director Eric Freitas Orford wants people to feel welcome whether or not they partake in a fine-dining experience. “We want to make sure [the Faraway] is where locals can come in and not have to feel like it’s a fancy dinner,” he says of the lobby bar, which offers breakfast service and a robust cocktail menu alike. (A beloved drink among staffers? A purple gin confection dubbed the Double J, named for the director of investor relations, Jenna Jaeger—though Gregory does make a mean daiquiri.)

Although Sag Harbor has its fair share of hotels and bars, the Faraway team was keen to offer something they didn’t see elsewhere in town—a speakeasy. Dubbed “Pearl’s Room” for a fictional oyster diver named Mother Pearl (the Faraway Sag Harbor’s unofficial mascot), the intimate lounge is filled wall to wall with nautical trinkets. For Frietas Orford, it’s just another way of creating a personalized experience at the 67-room boutique hotel. “This is supposed to be something that’s different, that doesn’t exist in Sag Harbor,” he says, “an area where we can invite people and ensure that they have a good night after dinner.”

Jenny Bukovec Studio (whose collaboration with the Blue Flag Group extends to the Faraway’s Nantucket and Jackson Hole outposts) decorated the entire space with maritime touches—an homage to the town’s whaling history—from the anatomical mermaid diagrams hanging on the walls to the pewter seashell matchbook holder next to the check-in desk. In our lofted suite, closet door handles take the shape of silver tentacles, while the luscious Bellino linens are embroidered with a trident-wielding mermaid.

While there is no shortage of dining options in town, the Faraway’s restaurant, Zagara, is a strong contender of its own. Upstairs at Zagara, the decor shifts from Northeastern nautical hideaway to Mediterranean haven, replete with a line of olive trees through the center of the dining room. The Amalfi Coast-inspired fare from chef Jared McCarroll spans oysters with mignonette and lobster ravioli to melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin and zucchini linguine. Not to be missed, however, is the homemade focaccia—its crispy top and buttery insides perfect for sopping up the swirl of flavorful, vibrant oil.

Beyond the robust food and beverage service, the Faraway comes with amenities galore. Some, like the T3 hairdryers in the rooms and the complimentary bikes (in kid-friendly sizes, too), and Post House fitness classes, are bedrocks of the experience, while others—namely the spa’s limited ONDA Beauty summer residence—are fleeting. Still, there is more to look forward to: the hotel will soon offer padel courts for guests to rent.

But perhaps the best amenity of all is the simplest: the pool. Lose track of time on a well-padded chaise lounge, under a shaded cabana, or floating listlessly in an inner tube. And there’s no need to worry about food and drink—there’s full pool service. What’s easier living than that?