Welcom‘inn’g you to Bellport

The entire place is inspired by all things Bellport, especially with local artists featured throughout the inn. Owner Ivana Newman also brings her Italian flare, including specially imported Rimini lounge chairs in the backyard.

“We value Bellport’s rich heritage and location on the Great South Bay,” Newman said, an Italy native living in Bellport Village and raising two young children, ages 8 and 13, with her husband and business partner, John.

She and John met in 1999; together they enjoy traveling, she in real estate and he in architecture lighting design. The ultimate goal was to own a business together, but the dream was to own one in Bellport Village.

“When we travel, we feel inspired,” she said of the reason behind opening an inn. “The place just seemed to call out to us. When we first came to see it, we knew within 30 seconds we wanted to do this.”

The Newmans closed on the property at the end of April. Since then, they lightly refreshed the building with white tones throughout, maintaining the integrity of the historic inn by also restoring as many of the antiques as possible.

The idea, she explained, was to create a relaxed experience at the historic property that dates back to 1889, once known as the Great South Bay Inn. The location neighbors Main Street, with quick access to all the village amenities, including the marina, Ho-Hum Beach and the country club.

But, if a guest wanted to stay put, there is plenty to gaze at within the property, including gardens curated by Oz Jardim, with a grapevine-draped gazebo and little pockets of beauty. Other local helping hands include Patrice Casanova for his photography and Michele Chiaramonte with custom furniture design, as well as other notable artists with work hung throughout.

“It was a labor of love,” she said of the everything-Bellport overhaul.  “Our intimate size makes it a practical and easy choice for booking the property in its entirety, and lends itself wonderfully to private gatherings of all sorts.”

The inn boasts four bedrooms in the main house, a garden suite with two bedrooms and a private one-bedroom cottage. The entire property can sleep about 21; prices start at $550 per night.

The Newmans celebrated their opening with a party last weekend, marking official booking availability as of Monday, June 21. To book a reservation, visit www.bellportinn.com.