Danfords Makes a Perfect Staycation Hotel

Opened , , located at 25 East Broadway in Port Jefferson and conveniently neighboring the , is offering hotel packages, dining specials and live entertainment for their busy summer season that will entice locals and tourists alike to a great vacation on the Long Island Sound.

"We get a lot of tourists from Connecticut and New Jersey and the tri-state area, especially in the summertime," said Stewart Weiner, executive director and general manager of Danfords since 2006. "It’s a big tourist town. In the summer, you can see a thousand people hanging off the ferry, and they just drop them into Port Jeff."

Voted Best Hotel and Marina for 2011 by the Long Island Press, Danfords has launched a series of special offers for guests seeking to relax and enjoy their convenient and exclusive North Shore location.

"You could go deep into Nassau or all the way out east, and I can’t think of any hotel located directly on the North Shore–on the water–in a village," Weiner said. "It’s a very unique property that we have here."

With special hotel packages, guests can enjoy anything from a day of pampering at the on-site spa, The Blue Sapphire Spa, which opened in late 2010, to dinner at their upscale restaurant and lounge, the Wave, which opened in 2008, and a show at in town.

One of their Hotel/Spa packages is a “Couples Romantic Retreat” starting at $429 and includes overnight accommodations, champagne and strawberries, a 50 minute side by side couples massage and $100.00 credit towards dinner at Wave.

Of course anyone can get other types of spa treatments whenever they want just by walking in. Walk-in menu offerings at the spa include a 50 minute Swedish Massage for $85 or $130 for 80 minutes. They also have an 80 minute Blue Signature Massage for $125, a manicure for $20 for 30 minutes and a pedicure is $35 for 45 minutes. Facials are $125 for 80 minutes.

The spa also has its own makeup line called Blue Sapphire Cosmetics. All of the makeup applications are complimentary with any of their services.

"We’re getting a lot of people who are packaging their hotel with their spa," Weiner said. "We also have theatre packages. We’re very lucky to have a theatre in town. So, we partner with them for a package that includes an overnight, the restaurant, theatre tickets and breakfast the next morning."

According to Therese Coppola, director of sales the hotel is very busy during the season from June through October so it's best to call ahead to make sure you plan your trip around the hotel's availability.

"The price range for the summer season is $169 to $269 depending on dates and availability," said Coppola.

Other packages include a "Splish Splash Package" with the east end water park starting at $129 plus park admission cost and their "Seascapes and Grapes Packages," combining a stay at Danfords with a specially selected Long Island Wine, a wine carrying bag and maps of North Fork vineyards for $269 on weekends.

"There really is something for everyone," she said.

Along with the hotel packages are weekly dining specials, including a prime rib night during the week for $21.95, "Crabby Wednesdays," where they offer steamed snow crab legs for $22.95, and a lobster bake night with a Reggie band outside on their Admiral’s Deck on Thursdays for $22.95.

They also have a three-piece band for happy hour on Fridays and live entertainment all day on Saturdays and Sundays.

"We keep it exciting, keep it happening," Weiner said.

The combination of a luxurious dining experience with use of the hotel’s recreation amenities can turn a day or an overnight trip into a vacation without the hassle of travel.

"It’s a good little escape," he said. "Coming here, you’re going to feel like you’re on vacation, but you don’t have to drive far."