The Chequit on Shelter Island officially reopened on Memorial Day Weekend as the hotel celebrates its 150th Anniversary.
The Chequit was built in 1872 as a meeting hall. It was one of the first sights seen on the island, with its blue hydrangea and porch that stood as a “welcome back” icon summer after summer.
By 1909 The Chequit was transformed into an inn. Known for its live music and late-night cocktail parties, the locale drew a celebrity following, hosting the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Arthur Miller, and rumored Frank Sinatra. The Kennedys sailed from Massachusetts to stay at The Chequit.
The restoration of the hotel aims to pay respect and tribute to the historic property — retaining the spirit and legacy of the building.
“The Chequit has always been the ‘Welcome to Shelter Island’ as you drive up the hill from the North Ferry, as the hotel sits right on the corner and at the head of town. Restoration of the hotel has truly been a labor of love but preserving the legacy of The Chequit is vital to us and the Shelter Island community. I’m excited to welcome guests and locals to our space for years to come,” said Stacey Soloviev, the hotel’s director of community relations.
The location’s reopening included three new food and beverage concepts created by Soloviev and run by Chef Noah Schwartz — Weakfish Sushi & Noodles, The Tavern, and Heights Cafe & Wine Bar.
Weakfish Sushi & Noodle hosts a menu that is inspired by New Asian cuisine. The menu features a selection of sushi rolls and sashimi, specialty rolls, and a variety of ramen dishes, including a pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetable option. Heights Cafe & Wine Bar functions as a welcoming coffee shop in the morning, before turning into a wine bar in the mid-afternoon.
The Tavern, The Chequit’s New American restaurant, features a farm-to-table menu and highlights Chef Schwartz’s signature smashburger, steaks, homemade pasta dishes, filet mignon sliders, pulled duck BBQ, and a raw bar, where guests are able to enjoy a variety of local oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail, and lobster. The Tavern offers both inside and outside seating on The Chequit’s patio and wrap-around porch.
The Chequit’s design uses as much outside space as possible, including four new semi-private areas that feature fire pits and views of the water and renovated patio.
The guestrooms have been fully renovated as well. All rooms are designed to have soft lighting, custom drapery, and simple muted shades of white.
The Chequit hotel has also launched a new artist-in-residence program, featuring East End artists. Work is placed in the newly created exhibition gallery at The Chequit as well as the lobby and restaurants. The series kicked off with works from Shelter Island-based artist, Ana Martínez Orizondo, followed by artist Alex Bilu.