The historic town of Westerly in Rhode Island lies just over the Connecticut border, a mix of traditional clapboard houses, seafaring charm and stunning natural beauty. Renowned for its sandy beaches, the area attracts visitors seeking seafood, days sunning on the beach, strolling through the village and hiking across the lush countryside. The five-star Ocean House Rhode Island is a strikingly beautiful historic retreat that offers its guests a full spa as part of its sincere dedication to rest and relaxation. Enjoy gourmet meals and spectacular views on this unforgettable seaside refuge.
Accommodation type: 5-star
No. of Rooms & Suites: 72
Pricing: starts at $740 for standard rooms, at $880 for deluxe doubles, at $1,040 for deluxe studios, at $1,145 for standard suites
High season: May through September
Nearest airport: T. F. Green Airport (PVD)
Suitable for: couples, honeymooners, families
Awards:
- U.S. News & World Report’s “No. 1 Best Rhode Island Hotel” and “No. 31 Best Hotel in the USA,” 2017
- Condé Nast Traveler Gold List, 2017
- Forbes Travel Guide Triple Five-Star Designation, 2015
Accommodation
Originally built in 1868 as a pleasurable retreat from the heat and congestion of the city, Ocean House Rhode Island has enjoyed a long history as an exclusive destination offering spectacular sea views, solitude and luxury. In 2003, the structure was judged impossible to bring up to current code, and so the original building was razed to the ground, allowing the new hotel to be built. Perfectly echoing the original structure, it offers guests a fresh palette to experience the quintessential New England escape. Traditional activities like lobster boil top the list of resort offerings, as well as daily tributes to the bounty of the sea in the spa.
Rooms range from spacious standard rooms to opulent studios and suites. While decorated in soothing colors that recall pale blue beach glass, taupe sand, creamy seafoam and sage green sea grass, a restful ambiance is carried throughout.
Facilities
- OH! Spa — one of the only Forbes Five-Star-rated spas in the country, OH! offers its patrons a 12,000-square-foot space that pays tribute to the local abundance of the gardens and ocean to provide everything from sea salt scrubs, lavender-infused body treatments, and marine mud wraps to mani-pedis and hair arranging.
- The Bistro and The Club Room — The Bistro is open to the public and the Club Room is for members only, but both share the same menu, a seasonal mix of local vegetables, fresh seafood and farm-to-table cheeses and fruits. Classic New England clam chowder, Narragansett Bay scallops, fresh shrimp and Maine lobster are all prepared in imaginative ways using seasonal ingredients.
- Fitness Center — open 24 hours per day, the Fitness Center has an array of cutting-edge equipment that will keep guests feeling fit. Therefore, cardio machines, free weights and a range of fitness classes like Zumba or resistance training keep activities varied.
Complimentary Activities
Daily yoga, tai chi, body sculpting, cardio, and aquafit classes are offered to guests of the hotel. There are also scheduled culinary classes in wine appreciation, cheese tasting, knife care, mixing drinks and other fun hobbies.
Guests also have complimentary use of the hotel’s Mercedes-Benz convertibles for exploring the local area on a first-come, first-served basis. The hotel also offers complimentary afternoon teas and small bites each day.
Travel Options
Amtrak has a train station in Westerly served by their Northeast Regional line located just six miles from the hotel. Ocean House Rhode Island also maintains a partnership with Wings Air for those wishing to travel by helicopter from New York or Boston.
For those landing in Providence and renting a car, take I-95 South from the airport, traveling for approximately 20 minutes before taking Exit 1 to RI-3 South. Once arriving in Westerly, take a left onto RI-78 East. After two miles, the road turns into Airport Road. Continue to follow the road for another mile before turning left onto RI-1A North/Watch Hill Road. After a mile and a half, take a left onto Westerly Road. After a block, take another left onto Bluff Avenue. The hotel will be on your left.
Main Attractions Around Ocean House Rhode Island
1. Babcock-Smith House Museum
Explore the historic home built by a Colonial doctor in 1734. Open during the summer with guided tours, visitors can enjoy both the house and grounds, learning about the history and culture of the early Colonial period right through to the house’s Victorian heyday and its modern-day preservation. There are also seasonal activities and exhibits to enjoy, from Christmas festivities to examples of early New England needlework.
2. Mystic Seaport
Nearby Mystic neatly encapsulates the seafaring spirit of early settlers and the charm of a New England town. Wander its inviting seaport and take a tour of the shipyard with its antique vessels that include a whaling ship and lobster boat. There’s also an aquarium nearby for viewing the species found locally beneath the waves. Fans of space can take in an exhibit and show at the Treworgy Planetarium, while the Seaport Village recreates life in the 1800s with meticulously restored homes from that era that reflect the area’s reliance on the sea.
3. Downtown Westerly and the Watch Hill Lighthouse
While visitors are not allowed into the lighthouse itself, the museum on the grounds is perfect for learning about the building and its keepers over the years. As there’s no parking at the site itself, visitors can park in Westerly and walk the easy, 15-minute trek to the lighthouse. The walk allows visitors to use that opportunity to also take in the village of Westerly, from its twee downtown shops and galleries to its historic buildings and homes along the way.
Final Words
Therefore, breathing the fresh sea air and enjoying the incomparable sunsets while visiting the coast of Rhode Island will leave you refreshed and renewed. You can also check in at the Castle Hill Inn if you ever find yourself in Rhode Island. Have you ever had an opportunity to stay at the Ocean House Rhode Island? Tell us all about your experiences in the comments below.