You either know about the Pequot Inn or you don't. There really isn't much middle ground when it comes to the only public hotel and pub on an island that feels like it’s actively trying to hide from the rest of the world. Fishers Island isn't the Hamptons. It isn’t Martha’s Vineyard. It's a nine-mile stretch of rock and privilege sitting in the Long Island Sound, accessible primarily by a ferry out of New London, Connecticut. And right at the heart of its social friction is the Pequot Inn.
It's been around forever. Well, since 1902, which is close enough.
For the uninitiated, the Pequot Inn Fishers Island is a bit of a contradiction. It is a historic inn with a handful of rooms that feel like a step back into a simpler, albeit slightly creaky, era. But on a Saturday night in July? It transforms. It becomes the singular pressure valve for an island that is otherwise famously private, quiet, and—let’s be honest—exclusionary.
The Reality of Staying at the Pequot Inn
Don't come here expecting a Five-Diamond luxury resort experience. You’ll be disappointed. Honestly, if you're looking for Egyptian cotton thread counts and a 24-hour concierge, you missed the turn for Newport.
The rooms at the Pequot are basic. They’re clean, they’re functional, and they’re expensive for what they are, mostly because they are the only game in town for people who don't own a multi-million dollar "cottage" behind a privet hedge. You stay here for the proximity. You stay here because when the ferry stops running and the last bar fly stumbles home, you only have to walk up a flight of stairs.
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The floors creak. The salt air has a way of getting into everything. It’s authentic in a way that modern hotels try to fake but usually fail. There is something deeply grounding about waking up on an island where the dominant sounds are seagulls and the distant hum of a boat engine rather than traffic.
Why the Location Is Everything
Fishers Island itself is a weird geographic quirk. It's technically part of Southold, New York, but you can't get there from Long Island without a private boat or a very long swim. This isolation has preserved a specific kind of "Old Money" aesthetic that has largely disappeared elsewhere.
The Pequot Inn sits in "The Village," which is the small hub on the western end of the island. Staying here puts you near the grocery store (The Beach & Tree), the post office, and the ferry dock. It’s the only place where the public and the private worlds of the island truly collide.
The Legendary Nightlife Scene
If the walls of the Pequot could talk, they’d probably ask for a glass of water and an aspirin. For decades, the inn’s bar has been the epicenter of Fishers Island's social life.
It’s famous for the "Mudslide."
Wait, that’s an understatement. The Mudslides at the Pequot Inn are a rite of passage. They are thick, boozy, and dangerously easy to drink. On a holiday weekend, the staff cranks them out by the hundreds. You'll see college kids back for the summer, grizzled sailors, and wealthy heirs all rubbing shoulders in a space that feels more like a house party than a commercial establishment.
There is no "scene" to be seen in, which is the whole point. People aren't there to take selfies for Instagram—though that happens more now than it used to. They are there because there is literally nowhere else to go. That forced proximity creates a unique energy. It’s sweaty. It’s loud. It’s exactly what a summer bar should be.
Navigating the Island Social Code
You have to understand the vibe. Fishers Island operates on a "if you know, you know" basis. The Hay Harbor Club and the Fishers Island Club are the bastions of the elite, but the Pequot is the neutral ground.
- Dress Code: It’s casual, but "Island Casual." Think beat-up loafers, linen that hasn't seen an iron in years, and hats that have been bleached by three seasons of sun.
- The Crowd: Expect a mix. You’ll find locals who work the oyster farms or the docks sitting next to people whose names are on museum wings.
- The Pace: Everything moves slower. If the service is a little relaxed, just lean into it. You’re on island time now.
What Most People Get Wrong About Fishers Island
The biggest misconception is that the island is open for traditional tourism. It isn’t. There are no public beaches in the way you’re thinking. The shoreline is mostly private or restricted to residents.
This is where staying at the Pequot Inn Fishers Island becomes a strategic move. While you might not have access to the private clubs, staying at the inn gives you a legitimate footprint on the island. You can bike the length of the roads—about nine miles of winding, scenic pavement—and take in some of the most incredible coastal architecture in the Northeast.
Chappel-style houses, rolling hills that look like Scotland, and views of the "Race" (the treacherous current where the Sound meets the Atlantic) are all accessible by bike.
Logistics: Getting There and Staying There
Getting to the Pequot isn't exactly a spontaneous "hop in the car" type of deal.
- The Ferry: You take the Fishers Island Ferry from New London. If you want to bring a car, you better book weeks—sometimes months—in advance. Most people just walk on.
- Transportation: Once you land, you can walk to the Pequot. To see the rest of the island, you’ll want a bike. There aren't Ubers roaming around here.
- Booking: The Inn is seasonal. It generally opens up for the late spring and shuts down after the autumn leaves start to turn. If you want a weekend in July, you should have called yesterday.
Honestly, the best time to visit might be September. The water is still warm, the "summer people" have mostly cleared out, and the Pequot takes on a more mellow, contemplative feel.
The Uncertain Future of Classic Coastal Inns
Places like the Pequot Inn are disappearing. Across the New England and New York coastlines, old-school inns are being bought up by private equity firms and turned into sleek, soulless "luxury boutiques" with $900-a-night price tags and avocado toast that costs $30.
So far, the Pequot has resisted that. It remains stubbornly itself. It’s a bit rough around the edges, it’s loud on the weekends, and it doesn't care if you think the bathroom is a little small. That’s its charm. In a world that is increasingly polished and curated, the Pequot is a reminder of what summer used to feel like.
Actionable Advice for Your Visit
If you're actually going to pull the trigger on a trip to the Pequot Inn, keep these things in mind to avoid looking like a total tourist:
- Cash is King: While they take cards, having cash for the bar makes your life (and the bartender's life) much easier when the crowd is five-deep.
- Respect the Privacy: The islanders are protective of their peace. Don't go wandering into backyards looking for a beach path. Stick to the public roads.
- Bring Gear: There isn't a CVS on every corner. Bring your own sunscreen, specific meds, and whatever snacks you can't live without.
- Walk to Isabella Beach: It’s one of the few spots you can get to, and the walk from the Inn is a great way to clear your head after a night of Mudslides.
The Pequot Inn Fishers Island isn't just a place to sleep. It is a portal into a very specific, very hidden slice of American life. Whether you love it or find it bafflingly quiet, you won't forget it.
Pack light. Leave the ego at the ferry terminal. Order a Mudslide. Just make sure you know the ferry schedule for the way back, because once that boat leaves, you're part of the island whether you planned to be or not.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the Fishers Island Ferry District website immediately for vehicle reservations if you plan to drive; otherwise, pack a sturdy duffel bag for a walk-on boarding. Contact the Pequot Inn directly via phone for the most accurate room availability, as online calendars for small island inns are notoriously out of sync with reality. Bring a bicycle or plan to rent one early in the day, as they are the only practical way to explore the island's nine miles of coastline beyond the village center. Finally, ensure you have a physical map or have downloaded offline maps, as cell service can be spotty once you move toward the eastern end of the island.