Fire Island’s Finest Fire Island's premier accommodation, located on the bay front at Cherry Grove, near Fire Island Pines, a few minutes walk from one of the world's best beaches. Everyone should stay at this beautiful place. Fire Island’s premiere accomodation, the Belvedere Guest Hotel for Men, is located on the bay front at the Cherry Grove near Fire Island Pines. Don't Get Smoked Out. In 2003, John asked Craig to take over the property and he moved to Florida full time. On July 23, 2019 a fire broke out inside the Hotel Belvedere burning the entire structure to the ground. 1949. 500 feet from the beach and only 1 1/2 hrs from NYC. Terrace. With the lot they were a whopping $5000.00. iPhone speakers. When asked what his main inspiration was to do something in a Baroque style John Eberhardt, without skipping a beat replied ” I was kind of thinking of Venice,” a city to which he traveled often. The structure was completed by the early ’90s, but that  doesn’t mean the building hasn’t been touched since. Fire Island Info Ferry Schedule Contact Book Now Standard. Belvedere owner John Eberhardt had first arrived to Cherry Grove with a friend, and stayed in a pup tent on the beach. Belvedere Guest House for Men, Fire Island's premier accommodation, located on the bay front at Cherry Grove, near Fire Island Pines, a few minutes from one of the world's best beaches. Follow for last-minute deals, sexy guys, & summer memories! It is one of the oldest gay resorts in the America. The Roma room is draped with beautiful Roman themes. People come from all over to experience it’s castle like elegance. Fire Island Tourism Fire Island Accommodation Specialties: Luxury accommodations in a Venetian style palace for Gay Men with a clothing optional environment, The oldest Gay resort in the US, located in the legendary gay community of Cherry Grove on Fire Island. Belvedere Fire Island We're an all-male guest house in the heart of Fire Island. 2020 A Covid-19 season for the history books…. Belvedere is wonderfully positioned between Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines, almost smack dab in the middle. Ads would tempt potential renters or buyers, telling them about their dream summer homes complete with wood deck, and fireplace. 500 feet from the beach and only 1 1/2 hrs from NYC. Craig also built all the balconies, decks and private baths that guests enjoy today. The Belvedere is a Beaux Arts style building in Baltimore, Maryland.Designed by the Boston architectural firm of Parker and Thomas and built in 1902–1903, the Belvedere is a Baltimore landmark at the southeast corner of North Charles Street, facing north on East Chase Street in the city's fashionable Mount Vernon-Belvedere-Mount Royal neighborhood. Visible from a distance, The Belvedere Guest House stands out in Cherry Grove -- a beautiful eclectic castle. Back. Welcome to the Belvedere Fire Island Guesthouse. Back. Nestled in between the Great South Bay and Atlantic Ocean the Island has been a haven for generations of beach-goers, outdoor enthusiasts, and water sport lovers. Eberhardt with one helper would put up frame houses in a matter of a week or so. Follow for last-minute deals, sexy guys, & summer memories! City Hall 450 San Rafael Avenue Belvedere, CA 94920-2336 Phone: 415-435-3838 Fax: 415-435-0430 Open Public Hours: Mon - Thurs: 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. www.belvederefireisland.com He also left his history, that is now ours to share…. Belvedere Fire Island We're an all-male guest house in the heart of Fire Island. Queen or full size beds. Welcome Covid-19 Rooms & Rates Reviews Folder: More. Wet bar and refrigerator. Today the Belvedere is a destination. A queen bed with a private deck. Refrigerator. www.belvederefireisland.com He painted all the gorgeous trompe l’oeil murals that are still in the house today and rounded up all the antiques—many of them from Europe—that give the house its infamous interior design. Although they did not have the luxury of a roof, and according to Eberhardt, “of course it rained but everyone had a great time anyway.” The hotel, with it’s continuous building, much from Newport mansions has taken on a life of its own, according to the whims of the designer and builder. Book Now Open Menu Close Menu. Free of cars and chaos this unique Island seems… As you arrive by ferry to Cherry Grove to your left sits a castle like building that stands out with it’s white facade. Fire Island Info Ferry Schedule Contact Book Now Luxury. 4.1K likes. By continuing to use our site you agree to our privacy policy. The Belvedere Guest House for Men is a men’s only, clothing-optional resorts in Cherry Grove, NY (Fire Island). The main section took a season to build, “without ornamentation of course,”but by July 4th of that first season there were already guests. Belvedere Hotel: we hated it - See 98 traveller reviews, 32 candid photos, and great deals for Cherry Grove, NY, at Tripadvisor. Depending on what you're looking for, you can be partying in either one of these communities after a fifteen-to-twenty minute walk. The Belvedere is, without a doubt, my favorite place to stay when I'm there. It looked like, I don’t want to say Grey Gardens, but that’s the best way to describe it. Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce - PO Box 327, 940 Highway 2 Suite B, Leavenworth, WA 98826 Tel: 509-548-5807 Welcome to the Belvedere Fire Island Guesthouse. A queen bed with a private deck. It offers pristine beaches without a hint of pretention. The blaze was so all-consuming that the entire structure burned, leaving only the stone walls from the first floor and a pile of rubble. Together they added a pool and Jacuzzi area and started to add on to the house, annexing the buildings next door (which John also owned) to make additional wings to the right of the main house. The Belvedere is in fact such a tribute to Venetian architecture that the mayor of Venice sent their city’s flag as a gift. Belvedere is Fire Island's premier accommodation for gay men. John Eberhardt created a fantasy here. Cookies are used for measurement, ads, and optimization. Then the Belvedere Fireplace Kit is for you. Private bath. He made things like “Santaland, little elf houses, and ducks by the hundred. Belvedere Guest House for Men, Fire Island's premier accommodation, located on the bay front at Cherry Grove, near Fire Island Pines, a few minutes from one of the world's best beaches. Its magnificent Venetian structure is one of the first things visitors see as they approach in the ferry. Belvedere Fire District is looking for volunteers Contact: Chad Hyler (803) 279-5505 It was in the summer of 1957 that John Eberhardt built his Belvedere. Belvedere is the only All Gay clothing optional resort on the island. Please use your browser's back button to return to the previous page or click here to return to the home page. 1950’s- A community called Fire Island Pines. When you combine these improvements with the basic idea of the Belvedere (an Italian palazzo that has the theatricality of Broadway) and then add in the extraordinary landscape of Fire Island, you have what in my opinion is the best gay male resort in the country. Camano Island is a cozy vacation spot that can be easily reached by car. In 1980 he met his partner Craig Burns, then adopted him in 1989 making him legally Craig Eberhardt. Now completed it has given the Belvedere new life. Every turn is a magical moment of beauty. Belvedere is Fire Island's premier accommodation for gay men. HDTV. 4.1K likes. Belvedere Guest House for Men. Eberhardt is happy to report that none of the building should be toppling over anytime soon.. Fire Island is my favorite beach resort on Earth. At 9-feet, 8-inches (3-meters) tall, the chimney will direct the smoke up, up and away, allowing you to stay grounded right where you are. 1957. I guess you could say it is. He vacationed in Key West at the time where he had purchased a house as well. It also has it’s own chapel in the quiet, gated  entry way just like any Italian villa. AC/Heat. City Hall 450 San Rafael Avenue Belvedere, CA 94920-2336 Phone: 415-435-3838 Fax: 415-435-0430 Open Public Hours: Mon - Thurs: 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. We're sorry, this page no longer exists or you have been directed here by mistake. Each of the rooms was decorated in a particular theme, and while some of the hardware, fabric and linens have been updated, they’re still in the style that John intended. Belvedere is the only All Gay clothing optional resort on the island. Private bath. I won't go into details about the layout of the Belvedere, as they have a wonderful website that beautifully conveys how magnificent this "mansion at the beach" really is. Posted @withregram • @sergshepard Model: stunning @jonzu ️ In the Grove, you are close to the Pines. Fire Island’s premier accommodation, the Belvedere Guest House for Men, is located on the bay front at Cherry Grove near Fire Island Pines just a few minutes from one of the world’s best beaches. A master carpenter, Craig helped John usher in the establishment’s  second life. Contact. It is estimated that he is responsible for the construction of over 50 homes through the years. Their state park provides comfy beachfront cabins to stay in, as well as boat rentals if you're looking to head out on the water. Posted @withregram • @sergshepard Model: stunning @jonzu ️ A queen bed with a private deck. The Belvedere Hotel is a hotel on fire island for men that is clothing optional. The Guest House is in the style of a Venetian Palace with terraces, towers, domes, statuary, antiques, and fountains. Fire Island Info. Every turn is a magical moment of beauty. When Craig and John’s relationship ended in 1994, Craig moved to Florida and started a real estate career. It is in the style of a Venetian Palace, with terraces, towers, domes, statuary, antiques and fountains. “Everything was shuttered. John continued to run The Belvedere, but due to his advancing age, he couldn’t tend the property like he could in his younger years and it fell into a state of disrepair. Whether you’re visiting Fire Island Pines or Cherry Grove, The Belvedere Guest House is only a few minutes walk from the center of both communities. Venetian luxury defines the Belvedere Guest House. Mostly out of paper mache.” While he was building his Edgewater home out of salvaged material from a defunct mansion in Short Hills New Jersey he was working as a scenic artist for a small opera company and for ABC and CBS . It is in the style of a Venetian Palace, with terraces, towers, domes, statuary, antiques and fountains. Belvedere is Fire Island's premier accommodation for gay men. Its magnificent Venetian structure is one of the first things visitors see as they approach in the ferry. By Video Journalist Waldo Cabrera The Belvedere Guest House for Men is a men's only, clothing-optional resorts in Cherry Grove, NY (Fire Island). The Belvedere is one of the centerpieces of Cherry Grove, a small community in Fire Island and undoubtedly one of the oldest and most popular gay and lesbian communities in the US. Craig Eberhardt says they’ll never slap anyone’s hands as long as they’re being respectful. Located between Whidbey Island and the mainland, the island is accessible by taking State Route 532 just over the Camano Gateway Bridge. “I first met John at a bar in New York and went home with him,” Craig says. It was this beautiful place that’d gotten out of hand.”. The Guest House is in the style of a Venetian Palace with terraces, towers, domes, statuary, antiques, and fountains. In 2005 Craig brought his new boyfriend, Julian Dorcelien, up from Florida—where he was working for CNN—to Fire Island to help him get the guest house back in shape.. “When I got here, it was raining and gray and you know how it is in Fire Island in the middle of April,” Julian says about his first trip to the property. These homes, unlike the hotel which he began construction on at the same time, were advertised. The Belvedere history Est. Let us help you plan your next Fire Island … The bell tower, one of the most noticeable features of the estate, blew off  during Hurricane Gloria in 1985—destroying part of the house on its way down—and had to be rebuilt. Whether you are looking for the best-rated hotels, what time the next ferry leaves, or you just want some awesome Fire Island apparel to take with you on your New York adventure, fireisland.com is the number one resource for your every need. The interior matches the exterior charm -- various hallways and staircases and corners to get lost in. That he has left for all to experience. The Fire Island Lighthouse is a visible landmark on the Great South Bay, in southern Suffolk County, New York on the western end of Fire Island, a barrier island off the southern coast of Long Island. It still flies above the hotel’s ornate towers along with the american flag and a pride flag. John Eberhardt 1921 – 2014. Fire Island, NY Fire Island, NY is the ultimate gay vacation getaway. Fire Island is the perfect get away for Manhattan gays who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the big City. Born in Maplewood in 1921, he later built and resided in a home in Edgewater with a view of the Hudson and Manhattan. Ferry Schedule. The Belvedere history Est. Cherry Grove dates from the great Greta Garbo's days, and the Belvedere has been there since the early '50s. As you arrive by ferry to Cherry Grove to your left sits a castle like building that stands out with it’s white facade. The Belvedere Hotel is a hotel on fire island for men that is clothing optional. Love sitting around the fire but hate the shuffle to stay out of the smoke? According to Eberhardt , “on company time, I would do a lot of my homes construction, and if I was needed on the set , I had a small fast MG sports car, so I could get to Fort Lee fast where the scenic painting company was located.” His designing jobs kept him in the money, and allowed him the freedom to build his dream homes. The suspected cause was arson. https://www.yelp.com/biz/belvedere-guest-house-cherry-grove When you combine these improvements with the basic idea of the Belvedere (an Italian palazzo that has the theatricality of Broadway) and then add in the extraordinary landscape of Fire Island, you have what in my opinion is the best gay male resort in the country. You can be on the beach in under five... Fire Island is my favorite beach resort on Earth. To book your stay go to: http://belvederefireisland.com/. Waterfront room. It is one of the oldest gay resorts in the America. Everyone should stay at this beautiful place. Everyone including guests are friendly, kind, and have a sense of community. Located on the bay in Cherry Grove, stay and play at the beach, dine in one of many restaurants and there is of course, the legendary night life. Book Now Open Menu Close Menu. The Belvedere Guest House for Men is a men’s only, clothing-optional resorts in Cherry Grove, NY (Fire Island). You can get the I LOVE NY Travel Guide by, © 2020 New York Department of Economic Development, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources for Travelers, Spotlight: Jamestown and Chautauqua-Allegheny. iPhone speakers. “He invited me out to stay with him on the island, and when I got there, lo and behold, it was The Belvedere.” After staying there the first time, Craig didn’t leave for 13 years. Fire Island’s premier accommodation, the Belvedere Guest House for Men, is located on the bay front at Cherry Grove near Fire Island Pines just a few minutes from one of the world’s best beaches. His own. Since then the hotel has had a rather frisky vibe, one that the staff neither actively encourages nor frowns upon. Also in the ’80s, the hotel went from coed to being a men’s-only, clothing-optional resort. Eberhardt owned a company responsible for designing and manufacturing items for opulent window displays at many of the large New York City department stores. The Roma room is draped with beautiful Roman themes. Belvedere Guest House for Men. With its ornate architecture, statuary, antiques and fountains, this hotel is unique to Fire Island. After two years or so, he started to build. Sea Shore Condo Motel This two-story motel is located in the center of town, steps from the dining and night life Ocean Bay Park is famous for. Serving the gay community for 60+ years. While Craig was building, John was decorating. Last year, I spent a lovely off-season weekend in Fire Island and my accommodations were charming and lovely. 1957. Contact. Everyone should stay at this beautiful place. John Eberhardt 1921 – 2014. In 2005, the top half of one of the other towers blew off in a tornado and had to be replaced. 1950's- A community called Fire Island Pines. The lighthouse is located within Fire Island National Seashore and just to the east of Robert Moses State Park. At the clothing-optional Belvedere Guest House on Cherry Grove, now one of the few black-owned businesses on the island, only two out of 38 rooms were booked in … All for $3200.00 excluding the lot. Serving the gay community for 60+ years. In the style of a Venetian Palace - with terraces, towers, domes, statuary, antiques and fountains - and a roof-top terrace and bay front deck that afford spectacular views of the Great South Bay, the ocean, and towns. By trade he was an artist, even though he had no formal training. As you arrive by ferry to Cherry Grove to your left sits a castle like building that stands out with it’s white facade. Only 500 feet from one… The Roma room is draped with beautiful Roman themes. Everyone including guests are friendly, kind, and have a sense of community. Especially for Christmas. Before John lived in the frame house he built on Maryland Walk, and wintered in Palm Beach, he was living in New Jersey. Is it a palace of some long ago prince? Whether you’re visiting Fire Island Pines or Cherry Grove, The Belvedere Guest House is only a few minutes walk from the center of both communities. Belvedere, Fire Island's premier accommodation, located on the bay front at Cherry Grove, near Fire Island Pines, a few minutes from one of the world's best beaches. Smart TV. Welcome Covid-19 Rooms & Rates Reviews Folder: More. After super storm Sandy the building required many repairs. The Belvedere Hotel is a hotel on fire island for men that is clothing optional. Ferry Schedule. Belvedere Guest House for Men. Cherry Grove (often referred to locally as The Grove) is a hamlet in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, United States.It is located on Fire Island, a barrier island separated from the southern side of Long Island by the Great South Bay.The hamlet has approximately 300 houses on 41 acres (170,000 m 2), a summer seasonal population of 2,000 and a year-round population of 15. 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