The Mill House Inn is a luxurious B&B in East Hampton, New York that features four guest rooms and six suites. There is also a four-bedroom cottage you can rent. The inn is mere steps from great shopping, dining and art galleries in East Hampton Village. The Mill House Inn is only minutes from the beach and offers dog-friendly and child-friendly suites. Innkeepers Sylvia & Gary Muller answered several questions for us about why they love being innkeepers, what makes their inn unique, and why their location is so special. Read on for the interview.
1. What do you enjoy most about being an innkeeper?
What I enjoy most about being an innkeeper is watching our guests relax. After even one night in our heavenly feather beds and about half-way through our amazing breakfast, you can already see the difference. And after a few days? Wow!
2. How long have you been an innkeeper?
My husband Gary and I have owned The Mill House Inn for 11 years now. He had always been a chef and restaurateur, and it was always one of his dreams to own an inn. But for me, coming from the international television business, it was a whole new life.
3. What was your inspiration for your creating your inn?
Both of us were at transition periods in our career. We had a weekend home in Montauk and we were commuting back and forth from the city. We wanted to find a way to make a living in a place we wanted to be. Gary suggested buying an inn, and it felt right both as a lifestyle choice and as a business venture.
4. Why did you choose this inn and this city?
We had been looking for an inn primarily in Southern Vermont or the Adirondacks when The Mill House Inn came up on Bill Oates' website. Gary had known Bill for years and trusted him, and this appeared to be the perfect opportunity. It was practically in our backyard, we knew the area, and since location is everything, where better to be than in the heart of the Hamptons?
5. What sets your B&B apart from others?
When we bought The Mill House Inn, we recognized that there were no lodging establishments in the area commensurate with the caliber of the residents and reputation of the area. We set out to build our facility, services, breakfast, and reputation to compete with the very best boutique hotels in the world.
6. Why do you think travelers should choose B&Bs over hotels?
Staying in an owner-operated inn or B&B offers a very different experience than even the finest hotel provides--the personal style, close relationship, intimate service, and attention to detail that a good innkeeper offers can turn a "guest" into part of the family. At The Mill House Inn we make a point of welcoming our guests "home."
7. Does your B&B have any special history?
Our house was built in 1790 by the Parsons family, one of the early families that settled East Hampton in 1648. In 1846 the ship Catherine out of Liverpool was wrecked off the coast of Amagansett. All of the passengers (refugees from the potato famine) were rescued but lost what few possessions they had brought with them. Most of the survivors traveled west for the Gold Rush, but Patrick Lynch was offered a job on Colonel Parsons' farm. He obviously thrived in East Hampton, as he was later able to purchase our house and, in 1896, raise the roof from the original Salt Box to the current Gambrel., Apparently there was no Catholic Church in the area and mass was held in the Lynch house every other week, with the congregation spilling out into the yard trying to hear the sermon through the windows.
8. What makes your town worth visiting—are there any interesting local attractions or activities?
East Hampton, the jewel of the world renowned Hamptons, is known as the playground of the rich and famous. Our ocean beaches are considered amongst the most beautiful in the world. Less well known is the fact that over 65% of the town is preserved green land, ensuring the beauty of the area, the quality of the air and water and the pristine vistas for generations to come. There is also a year-round cultural community with world-class theaters, galleries, antiques, restaurants, and shops just steps away. Did I mention the wineries? The Hamptons International Film Festival? The Hampton Classic Horse Show? A wind-swept walk on the beach in the winter? There is so much more--come stay at The Mill House Inn and we will help you plan the perfect itinerary just for you.
9. Do you have any food specialties?
Gary's breakfast (our guests call it "THE Breakfast") received a 28 in Zagats. There are over 26 items on the menu, all cooked to order. Lobster frittata, Sylvia's egg nog French toast, home-cured salmon scramble, and so much more on the menu. Too much to choose from!
10. Do you have any special offers coming up?
In the winter we do run last minute availability specials. Every year in February we feature "The Ten Days of Valentines." Realizing that not everyone can get away for that romantic day, we extend the opportunity with complimentary red roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, and breakfast delivered to your luxurious suite throughout the week. We hope to see you then!