OUR HOTEL

Once Jackson Pollock’s loyal pooch (yes, that Jackson Pollock), Ahab is now the brains behind our texting concierge.

Back in the 1950s, Ahab roamed the Hamptons alongside the famed abstract artist, dodging paint splatters and studio drama with effortless charm. These days, he’s swapped canvas for customer service. He’s ready to answer your questions, help with your stay, and to ensure things run smoothly around here (with minimal barking).

Ahab is a local legend, a Hedges original, and always just a text away.

The Hedges family first laid claim to this patch of heaven in 1652 as one of the founding families of East Hampton. Shoemakers, farmers, whaling captains, the Hedges crew were all very entrenched in village life. The inn remained theirs until 1923.

John D. Hedges  was an East Hampton original, the kind of fabulous man who gives houses as wedding gifts. In 1873, having inherited his father’s c. 1774 house, he added a second and third story and transformed it into a boarding house for his bride. Caroline Isabella Homan was the town beauty, and became known for her great style, love of books, hospitality and culinary prowess. Under her reign, the House at the Head of the Pond became an unofficial East Hampton landmark.

Fast forward to 2025,  Sarah and Andrew Wetenhall, the hoteliers behind The Colony Palm Beach stepped in to usher The Hedges into a fabulous new era. They introduced a 24-hour concierge (for 1 a.m. revelers and sunrise surfers alike). They opened a second Swifty’s restaurant (ready for locals, guests, foodies and trivia players). And for those who prefer their beach visits curated and expertly handled from start to finish, they brought in a fabulous team of Beach Butlers.

As Sarah says, “East Hampton was home to us for 15 years, and we still call the East End home. Our love for this community informs our vision for The Hedges. With Swifty’s open seven days a week for every meal, an inviting cocktail bar, our lecture series, and Sunday night trivia, we’ve created a place that feels equally welcoming to locals and guests alike. The result is a genuinely authentic East Hampton experience—one that celebrates the village at its best.” 

At some point, all grand dames need a little refresh and The Hedges was due. So in 2025, Sarah tapped acclaimed Interior Designer David Netto to reimagine this iconic East Hampton landmark as part tavern, part clubhouse and country inn, with a little glamour sprinkled around. With his sophisticated yet irreverent sense of style and established local roots, David was the perfect visionary to usher The Hedges into its most fabulous era yet.

For the redesign, David took inspiration from the panache and warmth of London’s chic private clubs for the public spaces. The first floor features dozens of eye-catching and welcoming details including a showstopping East Hampton-inspired custom de Gournay wallpaper. At Swifty’s, leather banquettes and Thonet barstools provide the perfect perch for a stellar night.

For the 12 individually designed guest rooms, David conjured the layered chic of a multigenerational American summer house with an inspired mix of antique finds and iconic silhouettes, florals and stripes, rattan with leather, global and local. Each room features a design scheme that is entirely its own. For those of you who want to keep coming back to spend the night in the other eleven–we don’t blame you.

Architects FGS Designs and Fleetwood, McMullan & Sanabria oversaw the architectural scope, while celebrated landscape designer Ed Hollander reimagined the gardens and grounds with curated plantings. The new outdoor gathering spaces are ready for more than a few storied summer moments.

Sarah Wetenhall is the Owner and CEO of The Hedges in East Hampton, as well as The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach—two iconic, design-driven properties she owns with her husband, Andrew Wetenhall, a New York–based investment banker. Together, the Wetenhalls have reimagined these historic hotels with a shared commitment to storytelling, hospitality, and a reverence for the towns they are in. 

A former fashion executive with brand experience at Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, and Hugo Boss, Sarah brings a sharp eye for luxury, detail, and brand identity to every project she touches. Since acquiring The Colony in 2016, she has led its transformation earning top honors from Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and HOTELS Magazine. In 2024 The Colony was named the #1 hotel in Florida by Condé Nast and the #2 hotel by Travel + Leisure readers, earning spots on both publications’ prestigious Gold and 500 lists.

With the debut of The Hedges, Sarah brings her guest-first philosophy and signature aesthetic to the Hamptons.  modern luxury with a deep reverence for the region’s history. As with The Colony, her vision for The Hedges is rooted in authenticity, collaborations with local businesses, and a focus on making the hotel a destination for guests and locals alike. 

A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Sarah Wetenhall serves on numerous cultural and civic boards including the East Hampton Historical Society, the Ladies Village Improvement Society (LVIS), the Central Park Conservancy Women’s Committee, and the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, which honored her with its 2025 Women in Leadership Award. She was also named one of the 25 Most Inspirational Women Leaders of 2025 by Berns Communications Group and Dealmakers