Since the season is here, we thought it would be fun to follow a New York City couple, Adam Hostler and Jean-Paul Morales, on that gay ritual: A summer getaway to Fire Island, in this case The Madison Fire Island Pines.
Adam and Jean-Paul are both actors working in New York City. They were ready for a quick getaway and while Adam has spent a great deal of time up in Provincetown during the past few summers, Fire Island is the perfect option for a quick escape.
Adam and Jean-Paul went over their travel options at Penn Station. From May 24 to September 1 the Long Island Railroad offers a Fire Island Pines Getaway Package including a discounted LIRR Off Peak round trip ticket, ferry and colonial taxis.
The guys ended up taking a 9:22am train on the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station to Sayville, New York with a quick transfer in Babylon. They arrived in Sayville just before 11:00am.
In Sayville a shuttle bus picked the guys up and dropped them off at the Sayville Ferry Dock in order to catch the 11:30am ferry to the Pines. There’s an adorable bar/restaurant at the ferry dock with boats leaving to the Pines and Cherry Grove throughout the season. The ferry schedule changes periodically, current schedules to the Pines are available here.
The ferry is usually packed with guys heading out to the big party weekends (Ascension, The Pines Party, Black Out, and Independence Day) but a quick escape during the week is a perfect summer getaway and an ideal opportunity to relax by the pool and catch some sun. The guys were surprised at how much room there was on the ferry on an off-season day. “The last time I came out was over the Black Out Weekend last season,” commented Jean-Paul, “you couldn’t even get a seat on the ferry.”
Fire Island runs parallel to the southern shore of Long Island. The island itself runs about 5.5 miles in length and includes a variety of small resort towns including the Pines and Cherry Grove. Once they reached the Pines the guys headed to the hotel. The Madison Fire Island Pines is located between the ferry dock and the beach, an exclusive compound in the heart of the beautiful resort community.
Luke Escamilla, the Madison’s general manager, greeted our couple. The guys had reserved one of the garden bedrooms just off of the pool and were pleasantly surprised by a bottle of bubbly waiting for them.
Andrew Kirtzman opened the Madison Fire Island Pines when he discovered that “unless you rented a house there there was no weekend/week-long place that truly reflected the vibe of the Pines, which is true glamour.”
Adam and Jean-Paul explored the property and discovered comfortable nooks and tasteful artwork throughout the multi-level complex.
The pool looked especially inviting so the guys decided to take a dip in the jacuzzi followed by a bit of restful poolside sunbathing. Between the lush rooms, carefully manicured gardens, sprawling views, and well-maintained pool and jacuzzi the Madison is a great location for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle or urban life.
After Adam and Jean-Paul made it to the island they had a quick bite at the new Cultured Elephant, formerly “the Canteen.” The Cultured Elephant is open from dawn till 11pm and features a beach-style menu that can be enjoyed bayside or poolside. Adam ended up having a burger while Jean-Paul opted for the Fish n’ Chips. The patio is a good spot to grab a bite, check out the eye candy, or wait for friends coming in off the ferry.
The pool deck is open every day with a variety of entertainment starting at noon. DJ Vito Fun draws the boys to the pool from 7-10pm on weekends with DJ Matty Glitterati’s “Glitterbomb Pool Party” throughout the week. Glitterati’s friends Justin Dawson, Jon Jon Battles, Mocha LIte, Maddelynn Hatter, and Elizabeth James serve up fun in the sun throughout the season. Low Tea kicks off at 5pm during the season, with a variety of DJs and a sea of gorgeous men gathering around the Blue Whale through 8pm.
Next door, the Pavilion remains the epicenter of nightlife in the Fire Island Pines with High Tea in full force from 6-9 each night. Men jump from Low Tea to High Tea to take in the best in Mediterranean sunset house music. Things get wild inside the all-new Pavilion on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the season with sets by local celebrities and house music gurus including Corey Craig, Morabito, and Randy Bettis as well as international stars like Pagano, Freemasons, and Joe Gauthreaux. Special guest performances in this year’s Pavilion Performance Series will include icons like Pam Ann, Del Shores, and Candis Cayne.
After lunch the guys ventured back to the Madison before hitting Low Tea at the Blue Whale. The Pines are zen-likw during the week so the guys were able to enjoy a few quiet moments back at the hotel. Over breakfast at the Madison the next morning, our boys began planning their next trip back.
A big party weekend like the Pines Party or Ascension would be fun, of course, but there’s something special a weekday romantic escape from the city and the crowds.
Photography by Jeffrey James Keyes
Models: Adam Hostler & Jean-Paul Morales