WHY TABITHA SIMMONS' HEART IS IN THE HAMPTONS

Hiking in the dunes, toasting marshmallows on the beach, nights out with Metallica... The fashion designer can't get enough of this Long Island wonderland.

- Hayley Spencer

What’s your favourite destination and why?

The Hamptons has so much to offer — the beach and amazing sports opportunities. My husband Robert grew up there, and my sons Dylan and Elliott grew up visiting. Now they work as lifeguards at the beach when they’re back from college, so we try to spend as much quality time together when they aren’t working. The Hamptons has a lot for their age group, but also for me and my seven-year-old, Violet. It holds a lot of great memories for us. We were last there from July into August.

Where do you like to stay?

In Southampton, at an all-American style of house which we rent. If you want to stay at a hotel there’s the The American Hotel in Sag Harbor, which is very traditional.

What are your favourite restaurants?

For breakfast go to Sip’n Soda in Southampton, which is a diner that’s also open for lunch and dinner — but the breakfast is what gives you that all-American feeling. Sit at the bar and order the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. There’s also great milkshakes and homemade ice cream. La Fondita in Montauk is great for take-out Mexican. I always get the burrito, chips and guacamole to eat at the beach. Then for dinner, The Palm in East Hampton is the perfect place for lobster and French fries — it’s very traditional and we’ve spent many nights eating there.

Where do you go to let your hair down?