First-time hotel operators Randal Stone and Elizabeth Bakhash created the Three Ducks Hotel from what was once the Seabreeze Motel. Intended as a boutique reimagining of the 1950s Westhampton fixture, this new hotel is ready for the region’s summer.
The pair told the New York Post how they feel that the Westhampton area has transformed into a home for quiet luxury, something they hope the retro establishment will capture.
“Westhampton has gone through a renaissance,” Stone said before Bakhash continued. “It captures a little bit more of that laid back execution of luxury.”
A For Sale Sign Sparks Inspiration
Stone shared how he would drive past the motel for years, and when he finally saw a for sale sign on its lawn, he knew there was a chance to make something exciting. He decided to call his long-time business collaborator Bakhash and get her opinion.
“He called me and was like, ‘This is a crazy thing, but should we do it?’” Bakhash said. “We drove out the next day, and we immediately saw the opportunity.”
The Perfect Partnership
The pair had the perfect background to refurbish a hotel, with years of experience and particular backgrounds that suited the venture. Stone was initially trained as an architect, and Bakhash was part of a real estate group with hotels in its portfolio. The two worked together as brand and experienced consultants—the perfect combination to redesign, host, and market a new hotel.
In April 2024, the two decided to go for this new opportunity.
“We just knew that this parcel,” Bakhash added, “which was set on this 1.6 acres [and] is really quite beautiful, could turn into a boutique hotel in a market that is underserved.”
The Rebuilding Process
Though Stone and Bakhash had the experience, the project wouldn’t be easy. They removed the parking lot and fitted the building’s exterior with Thermowood. Outside the hotel, they built a garden-like environment, providing each room with a sitting area. There’s a wildflower meadow and a fire pit, and plenty of ducks roam the area.
Nothing of the original motel remains within; even the roof was replaced to vault the rooms. Stone and Bakhash included ash wood flooring, picture windows, moss-like upholstery fabric, and hand-cut stone tiles.
To keep the rooms from feeling cramped: “[We included] storage units so that guests are able to put everything away and embrace a more minimalist mindset,” Bakhash explained. “One of the things that we want Three Ducks to do is help people reflect and reconnect with nature and with themselves. So having a place for their things is part of that.”
A New Westhampton Experience
Three Ducks Hotel invites guests to enjoy a simple, meaningful experience that doesn’t abandon comforting luxuries. With an aesthetic that mirrors Westhampton’s natural beauty, the hotel is inviting and true to the area, perfect for travelers and local guests alike. Three Ducks Hotel may be the ideal destination if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway.
