Knickerbocker Yacht Hotel to celebrate grand opening

Stephen Romano

The Knickerbocker Yacht Hotel, a bed and breakfast on the waterfront in Port Washington, will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting hosted by the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce.

The hotel, which held a soft opening in September and is located at 433 Main St., has six rooms, including a presidential suite named “the Helm.”

The hotel sits on land that once housed the Knickerbocker Yacht Club, which was established in New York City in 1874, moved to Port Washington in 1907 and was the second-oldest yacht club on Long Island Sound.

The club closed in 2009 when it was sold for $3.2 million.

Gene Verett, chief operating officer of INK Hospitality, which manages the hotel, said people visiting the area have responded well since it opened.

“Everything has been going great,” he said. “People are actually excited to have us.”

Verett said the hotel’s amenities include free breakfast and WiFi, wine and beer, high-end linens, as well as anything a guest asks for.

“The word no doesn’t exist to use,” he said. “We try and do our best to accommodate everyone staying.”

The 3,500-square-foot building sits on Long Island Sound, with  a dock. 

The six rooms are similar, Verett said, but have different décor and arrangements.

“Each room has it’s own little charm,” Verett said. “For each, we try to take full advantage of the view because every room faces west.”

Verett said the hotel guests have included local residents spending a weekend away from home with a spouse.

The presidential suite features a king-sized bed and a queen-sized sofa bed, a romantic area, as well as a private patio overlooking the water and a bathroom with double sinks.

Verett said the hotel is looking to expand its services on the dock next season, transforming it and creating a high-end beach club with food, drinks and live music.

“Our plan is to make it a very intimate spot,” Verett said. “For the following seasons, we hope to get cabanas in the backyard for people to take advantage of.”

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