Ocean House Reimagines Luxury Living along New England's Coastline

The Village of Watch Hill located on a peninsula in the southwest corner of Rhode Island has quietly served as a summer retreat and retirement venue for members of America's aristocracy for almost 150 years. An important foundation of the region's reputation was the Ocean House Hotel built in 1868. Located roughly in the middle between Boston and New York City, the Ocean House hosted generations of family vacationers, society events, and dignitaries until 2005 when functional obsolescence and the gradual decline of the wooden structure forced the hotel to close and then be demolished.

However, the legacy of this grand hotel was preserved by Ocean House Management which invested $140 million to reimagine and rebuild a new hotel on the site in 2011. Incredibly, the new hotel has the same general appearance and design. It is also full of the modern facilities needed to attract discerning guests seeking a taste of the Gilded Age and provides the cuisine, spa services, service standards, high speed internet, and beachfront ambiance of a luxury property. Quickly winning national recognition for excellence from many sources such as the Forbes 5 Star Award and AAA 5-Diamond Award, the Ocean House continues to thrive and adapt to a new era of travel and leisure.

Design and Layout

The resort has a majestic location on a bluff above the popular beaches of Misquamicut to the east and the quiet Watch Hill harbor of Napatree Point to the west. It takes up 13 acres of land including a 650-foot stretch of private frontage and sandy beach reached by walkway that slopes gradually downhill through the dunes. Perhaps the most striking features of the structure are its yellow and white colors, and the huge, covered porches, terraces and niches filled with special places to relax on a rocking chair, enjoy a meal or drink, or take in the view.    

The original wooden structure had almost 200 hotel rooms, but the new resort has modified the accommodations into 49 hotel rooms, 20 large residences called signature suites, and 8 cottages which are structurally integrated into the main building. There are some distinctive things about the style and accessories of these accommodations.  First, the size of the guestrooms ranges from a generous 375 to 600 square feet and the suites and cottages range from 630 square feet to 1200 square feet in size. Second, the rooms all feature special linen and bath products, marble bathroom sinks and bathtubs, modern technologies, and stocked private bars. Third, thousands of artifacts and furnishings have been preserved from the 19th century Victorian hotel and distributed throughout the property’s common areas and rooms.  Finally, most of the rooms have an elevated view of the Atlantic surf and the waters of the three states of New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. 

The common areas of the hotel are also impressive. The reception and lobby areas are comfortable and welcoming. Relaxing couches and wicker cottage furnishings are scattered around the main floor and the porches, so there are plenty of places to sit and talk, read a book, or listen to the harpist that often plays in the lobby. Beyond the lobby is a huge mahogany bar surrounded by tables and more couches to cool off in the summer or warm up by the fireplace when the winter winds blow.  There are also an estimated 250 pieces of artwork scattered throughout the common areas. The venues available for hosting weddings and private events are scenic and include a lovely garden and chapel adjacent to the main building.   

Hotel Amenities and Area Activities 

The outdoors is another focal point of the Ocean House’s activities. Everything starts at the beach where the hotel provides a full range of services from beach chairs and umbrellas to towel and restroom services, and watersport rentals.  The concierge can arrange for other maritime activities to meet the selective needs of guests.  The Dune Cottage and the Taco Shack located on the beach provide meals and a shaded watering hole. Up the hill other activities are available including an immaculate croquet lawn, a putting green and shuffleboard court, and complementary bicycles for taking in the area’s views. Guests will enjoy browsing around nearby Watch Hill, stopping at historic landmarks such as the Flying Horse Carousel and the Olympic Tea Room, or driving by the house of the town’s most famous resident, Taylor Swift.  

In the hotel, there is a heated, indoor saltwater lap pool which is open 24 hours a day throughout the year. Bright doors open to a second shallow outdoor pool.  There is also a complete fitness center with a wide range of cardio and exercise machinery including video screens with virtual classes. Live exercise options such as classes for yoga and palates enthusiasts, and a squash court are available too. Offsite within a few miles are several first-class golf courses and a private tennis and paddleball facility where guests can arrange to play.

When you are tired out, the fun really begins. The Ocean House’s renowned Oh! Spa has received a five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guides for its spa services and ambiance. It includes a steam room, whirlpool, and private rooms for treatments.  There is also a small screening room for watching movies, an outdoor fire pit, and a center presenting wine and cooking classes.   

Dining

When it comes to food, there is everything from casual snacks to fine dining available at the six different eating establishments at the resort.  During the summertime, it is tough to beat the cuisine, comfort, and views from the Verandah. This open-air porch extends along the entire southern exposure of the hotel and provides table seating for couples and large groups to enjoy the outdoors.   The menu includes everything from hot and cold lobster rolls to some interesting salads and sandwiches. Heading inside, the Bistro offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus in a warm room with views of the ocean. The Bistro dinner menu features favorites like New England Seafood Stew and Steak Frites, complemented by seasonal dishes, weekly specials, grilled entrees, and numerous sides. The apex of the Ocean House’s venues is Coast, a farm to table restaurant and another Forbes Travel Guide five-star award winner. Coast seeks to provide a distinctive fine dining experience through an “indulgent five course culinary journey.” These food options are sometimes supplemented by special events such as clambakes and barbecues on the beach or crepes at the Secret Garden Creperie. 

Location

The Ocean House is located approximately 45 minutes from TF Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island which is serviced by several major carriers.  It is also located only six miles from the Amtrak train terminal in Westerly, Rhode Island.  The main roads of the northeast, Interstate 95, Route 1, and Route 1A, provide ready access by car.