Hotel Moraine is a waterfront boutique property on the North Fork of Long Island, perched above the Long Island Sound in Greenport. With 20 guest rooms, a private beach, pool, and gathering spaces, the hotel feels both secluded and connected. It’s a place where guests slow down — watching sunsets from the lawn or beach while settling into the rhythm of the waves. Learn more by reading our interview with the Hotel Moraine team!
Can you share the story behind the founding of Hotel Moraine?
Hotel Moraine was reimagined as a modern coastal retreat that honors the natural beauty of the North Fork. The vision was to create a refined yet approachable escape blending architecture, landscape, and hospitality.
Our guest experience centers on thoughtful details, curated programming, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle for couples and families. Seasonal offerings — including poolside experiences, sunset cocktails, music and art programming, wellness gatherings, and local collaborations — celebrate the spirit of the North Fork. At its core, the hotel is designed to feel both special and comfortable.
What makes it a special destination for your guests and how is your location connected to the ocean?
Our location is unique, elevated above the Long Island Sound with sweeping water views throughout the property. Sunsets create a natural rhythm that shapes each day. Our slogan, “Where the Land Meets the Sea,” reflects the connection between the water and the North Fork’s agricultural landscape.
Guests can access the private beach, relax across waterfront spaces, or gather in the community cottage while enjoying the salt air. Whether poolside or on the terrace, the setting encourages a slower pace. The Sound is not just a backdrop, it influences our design, programming, and overall guest experience.
The ocean is central to your business. Can you share more about how?
Our programming — from sunset gatherings to wellness offerings — is built around the shoreline’s rhythm, and our design draws from sand, sea grass, and sky. We also recognize a responsibility to help protect the ecosystem we depend on.
What ocean-friendly practices does your hotel have in place? What sets your hotel apart in terms of sustainability?
We’ve implemented several practices:
- Eliminating polystyrene and minimizing single-use plastics
- Using reusable serviceware and sustainable packaging
- Partnering with environmentally conscious vendors
- Reducing waste through thoughtful sourcing
Sustainability is integrated into our operations and purchasing decisions rather than treated as an add-on.
How did you learn about Surfrider and come to join the Ocean Friendly Businesses program?
We’ve long admired the Surfrider Foundation’s work in clean water and plastic reduction. Given our waterfront location, their mission aligns closely with our values. Joining the Ocean Friendly programs formalized practices we were already pursuing and added accountability. It allowed us to publicly commit to protecting the ocean that defines our business and to signal that commitment to guests and our community.
Living and working on the coast makes environmental impact visible — from storms to erosion. That awareness pushed us from intention into action.
Tell me about your commitment to sustainability. Why is it important for the hospitality industry to prioritize sustainability?
Sustainability in hospitality is essential, especially on the coast. Healthy oceans support marine life, tourism, and local economies. Protecting them also preserves the experience that attracts our guests to stay with us on the coast.
The industry has significant influence through purchasing power, waste reduction, and guest reach. Adopting sustainable practices at scale can create meaningful change and shift expectations - showing that sustainability and luxury can coexist.
Do you find that customers are receptive to your mission?
Yes. Guests increasingly value sustainability and often choose destinations that reflect their values. When practices are integrated naturally, the response is overwhelmingly positive. Guests and local partners see our efforts as aligned with the North Fork ethos of protecting land and shoreline. Recognition from Surfrider reinforces that commitment.
Some guests have chosen to host retreats and gatherings with us specifically because of our ocean-friendly practices. One noted that eliminating single-use plastics made them feel aligned with their own values and enhanced their experience.
Do you have advice for others looking to be more sustainable?
Start with manageable steps: eliminate polystyrene, reduce single-use plastics, review packaging, and educate your team. Progress can be incremental but consistent.
What are you currently working on? Anything upcoming you'd like to plug?
We’re refining waste reduction strategies, exploring composting partnerships, and reviewing supply chains. We’re also developing subtle ways to educate guests and encourage participation.
We’re excited to collaborate with Surfrider on seasonal activations focused on ocean awareness through art, music, and community programming tied to our summer series.
What are your goals for the future?
Our goal is to deepen our environmental practices while maintaining the warmth we’re known for, ensuring Hotel Moraine remains a place where guests feel restored and the ocean is actively protected.
To find an Ocean Friendly Hotel in your next travel destination or to learn more about the program, click HERE!