When someone asks me “am I going east for the weekend” or invites me to a party, I can’t help but laugh. hamptons on a random Tuesday night assuming I’d be in town to attend. I understand: The city I’ve called home for 15 years (New York), my job (Vogue editor) and some of my favorite things (beach days, seafood, and parties) put me squarely in the Hamptons-goers demographic. While I’ve enjoyed a few trips there over the years (an incredible dinner party at Tanya Taylor’s house stands out), I find it hard to relax in a town known for celebrity-filled events. $97 lobster saladsand being a playground for the who’s who of NYC; I prefer a more relaxed scene (a scene that isn’t actually a scene at all). I was quite surprised, then, when I spent a weekend there. maidstone and I stopped thinking: I would go back there.

Built in 1804 and originally used as a tannery and boarding house, the white-shingled boutique hotel, located primarily on Main Street, has been an East Hampton institution for more than 150 years. It was purchased in 2008 by Swedish entrepreneur Jenny Ljungberg, who gave the interiors and grounds a Scandinavian-style look (complete with clogs in every guest room). Fast forward to the present day and Maidstone has been redesigned once again; this time by Irwin Simon and Mayank Dwivedi of ISMD, in partnership with John Meadow, founder and chairman of LVD Hospitality. (LDV is behind the wildly popular Scarpetta restaurants in NYC, Montauk, Rome, and Tokyo, among other cities.)

“It’s an iconic feature,” says Meadow vogue. “I think for the last two or three years everyone knew it was for sale.” It was important for Meadow to preserve this history intact while also injecting her own brand of trademark into the space: la sweet life. “We’ve never done anything LDV branded, so we weren’t going to come up with a name for LDV, our first hotel in The Maidstone, and call it the Gigi Hotel,” says Meadow. “Who are we? What are we? We are hospitable, so we are stewards of this special place. “It was here a long time ago and it will be here long after me.”

The idyllic property features a main structure with 16 guest rooms, grassy front and rear lawns, three cottage suites, a shaded pool and gift shop. The decor, courtesy of Unionworks designer Poonam Khanna, was heavily inspired by the scenic Hamptons landscape: earthy tones of sand, green, blue and peach. Guest rooms are marked by comfortable beds made of Frette linens and claw-foot tubs in the bathroom; The cottages have quaint living spaces and private gardens. Tata Harper skincare fills the gift shop alongside Giulivia Heritage pieces.

Even if you’re not looking for a place to stay hamptonsMaidstone’s Scarpetta-inspired restaurant is a big hit. Under the direction of LDV partner Chef Jorge Espinoza, who helped open the first Scarpetta in 2008, the restaurant fits seamlessly with the hotel’s opulent yet homely vibe. “It’s more personal and intimate because of its size,” Meadow says of the jewel box space right next to the hotel’s bar and lounge area. “People can really connect and it feels like home; It looks like a dinner party. “To me, that’s the best kind of hospitality, when you build genuine warmth and connection with people.” Signature LDV dishes hitting The Maidstone’s menu include wagyu strip, lobster ravioli and a linguini nera stuffed with crab meat, uni, Calabrian peppers and lemon.

Over the summer, on opening night, Chef Espinoza prepared a feast of tortellini, branzino, steak, and charred vegetables, outside and under the threat of rain; because the kitchen was closed. quite a few is still operational. But the unusual preparation was unnoticeable to the live band of guests; especially when martinis are ordered and musicians Francesco Conforti and Gabriele Mori give an exciting live performance. Meadow says the evening is the epitome of la dolce vita: “nostalgic, communal, post-war Italy,” she explains. “Kind of hot fun.” Indeed it was.