The Surf Club Resort sits on an eight-and-a-half-acre site lined with staggered, two-story townhouses -- some face toward the pool, while others look out over the beach and the ocean. The setting is lovely, with sand dunes covered in sprays of sea grass reaching toward the ocean from the decks of many of the property's buildings. From the outside, the buildings have a modern beachy look, clad in gray weathered shingles, and the majority of the units are privately owned vacation rentals. The property is run like a hotel, though, with a front desk and standard hotel services. The lobby is a bright space, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a fresh white and pale green color scheme. There's a TV on the wall and some tourist information leaflets for guests, but it isn't exactly a place to gather and relax. Like many area hotels, the hotel is better sutied for independent-minded travelers, as there are few common spaces beside the beach, pool, and tennis courts. Families, couples, and groups of friends all flock here in season; many are repeat guests, making this one of the most popular destinations in town. 

The Surf Club Resort is on a quiet street in the pretty town of Montauk; there are several residential homes nearby and direct access to a stunning beach -- beach and sea views are available throughout the property. Downtown Montauk is less than a five-minute walk away, and it's home to a large range of shops and eateries, from quaint cafes to seafood restaurants to newer, more raucous nightspots like the Sloppy Tuna. The Puff ‘n’ Putt Family Fun Center is a 10-minute walk from the property, and offers boat rentals and mini golf. Ditch Plains -- the best-known Montauk beach for surfing -- is a five-minute drive. The train station for service to New York City is a five-minute drive from the hotel as well. The trip into Penn Station by train takes around three hours, while drives into New York take about the same amount of time, though that depends on traffic. 

Like many of the condo-style properties in the area, each unit at the Surf Club is individually owned and decorated. The look in each One- and Two-Bedroom Townhouse varies, and unfortunately not every unit is as nice as the next; some can be quite dated. When we visited, we saw relatively attractive examples of the rentals available, with hardwood bedroom floors, homey quality wood veneer furniture in light and medium tones, and stone tiled kitchens and living areas. Couches and chairs are the typical, overstuffed variety, and wall art includes soft landscapes and nautically themed prints. All have free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, separate living area, kitchen, and a private deck. Some have ocean views. The one-bedroom units have an upstairs bedroom with a queen-size bed plus a sofa bed, while the two-bedrooms have one bedroom downstairs with queen-size bed, and a lofted sleeping area upstairs. Most bathrooms have a shower/tub combo and toiletries; hairdryers are also provided. 

The main draw of the Surf Club is its location directly on the beach in Montauk. The hotel provides some lounge chairs and umbrellas, but the whole scene feels largely natural and not built up, with dunes lining the shore between the townhouses and the ocean. The property also has an attractive heated outdoor pool, surrounded by lounge chairs, tables, chairs, and parasols. There’s a fitness center on site which has a range of equipment including treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes, and weights; tennis courts are also available. Guests can use the coin-operated laundry facilities and there are also vending machines. The property has large sun terrace and a pretty boardwalk that begins from the pool and goes down to the beach. It has nice views of the dunes and the property itself. Wi-Fi is available free throughout the hotel. There is no restaurant on site.