OHEKA CASTLE
Huntington, New York
135 West Gate Drive, Huntington, New York 11743
Original Property Opened in 1919
Historic Hotels of America member since 2004
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OHEKA CASTLE regally stands on a manicured estate in Huntington, New York. Built by financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn in 1919, The New York Times declared it, “the finest country house in America.” During the peak of opulence in the 1920s, the estate entertained Hollywood luminaries, esteemed heads of state, and distinguished royalty. A summer home for the family, the Kahns celebrated family events like their daughter’s wedding at the Long Island home until Otto Hermann Kahn’s death in 1934. The family sold the estate, which was then repurposed as a retreat for New York sanitation workers, a government training school for Merchant Marine radio operators, and a military academy.
Despite many decades of disrepair after the school’s closure, the imposing castle remained in the imaginations of all who visited the Long Island region known as the Gold Coast. In 1984, developer Gary Melius began a careful and painstaking restoration of the castle, bringing OHEKA CASTLE back to its original grandeur. OHEKA CASTLE now offers 32 stunning guestrooms and a magnificent experience for all who visit the historic grounds.
Discover
- Discover the Renaissance Revival architecture of OHEKA CASTLE. This enchanting historic hotel was once former private estate. The New York retreat, built by financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn in 1919, still remains the second largest private residence ever built in America. The structure was used many ways after the family sold it in the 1930s. It served as a retreat for New York sanitation workers, a government training school for Merchant Marine radio operators, and a military academy. The thoughtful restoration included details like authentic slate roof tiles sourced from the same Vermont quarry where Kahn had purchased the originals.
- Wander OHEKA CASTLE’s marvelous estate gardens set on 443 acres. The formal English gardens have been viewed by many famous guests over the years, including Charlie Chaplin and Sandra Day O'Connor. Landscape architect and gardener Beatrix Farrand was commissioned by the Olmsted Brothers in 1917 to design aspects of the gardens. In 2009, 2,505 Boxwoods were planted around the reflecting pools to further restore the formal gardens to its original design.
- Discover the estate’s sweeping staircases and captivating chambers that have inspired filmmakers and musicians across the decades. Director Orson Welles used photographs of the structure to serve as the inspiration for the fictional estate portrayal of Xanadu in his film Citizen Kane.
Explore
- See the grand homes on the New York enclave that earned the region the nickname “The Gold Coast” and inspired the novel The Great Gatsby. Visit Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the institution was once the home of William Vanderbilt III. Today it operates as a house museum filled with a stunning collection of antiques. Or explore the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site nearby. A U.S. National Historic Site, Sagamore Hill served as the personal residence of President Theodore Roosevelt from 1885 until his death in 1919.
- Discover the history of the region. Tour the firefighting at Cold Spring Harbor Firehouse Museum. This spectacular museum resides within a building that dates back to 1896 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Inspect a fully equipped whaling boat, scrimshaw samples, artifacts, and dioramas at The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor.
- Explore the history of OHEKA CASTLE on a guided tour. Discover where secret passageways once led, see where Merchant Marine radio operators worked, and learn why emblems of Linden Trees are found around the estate.
Experience
- Relax on one of Long Island’s beautiful sandy beaches or explore the scenic views of the Long Island Sound. State parks nearby offer a relaxing day on the ocean, while the Long Island areas of Sag Harbor and Montauk provide picturesque cliffsides, lighthouses, and bustling coastal main streets.
- Enjoy a concert by the Royal Philharmonic at the Tilles Center. The orchestra features all styles of performances, including classical music, collaborations with popular musicians, and renditions of Broadway favorites.
- View expansive exhibitions of American fine art including landscapes, sculptures, and modernist works at The Heckscher Museum of Art. Alongside its collection, the Heckscher Museum of Art runs workshops, performances, and family-friendly programming about the arts.
Taste
- Taste crafted cocktails and sommelier-curated wines at OHEKA CASTLE’s Gatsby Hour. Gatsby Hour at the OHK Bar embraces the ambiance of the Roaring Twenties.
- Journey through Long Island’s thriving seafood scene on the Long Island Seafood Cuisine Taril. From Bay Shore to Montauk, the region’s menus offer fresh clams, raw bars, and Atlantic catches throughout the year.
- Indulge in a wine tasting in Long Island's Wine Country on the North Fork peninsula of Long Island. Curated seasonal experiences at local vineyards ensure guests can experience the best the region has to offer year-round. North Fork is home to more than 60 vineyards as well as dozens of breweries and craft distilleries.
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
While this hotel typically offers the AAA Member Rate, availability is dependent on your exact dates of stay. Please also plan to present member ID at check-in to prove eligibility.
