Weekapaug Inn: Picture Perfect and Preppy in Rhode Island
A picture perfect setting. (All photos: Weekapaug Inn)
Hotel: The Weekapaug Inn
Location: Weekapaug, Rhode Island is an idyllic New England beach town that boasts gorgeous gray-shingled houses, a breathtaking and unspoiled beach, and a mellow vibe. The circa 1938 inn is located in a quiet corner of Weekapaug overlooking Quonochontaug Pond, just steps away from a gorgeous two-mile stretch of beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
Background: In 1899 the Buffam family opened the original oceanfront inn for 30 guests. They expanded to house 100 guests who spent summers boating, bathing, and socializing. But damage to the inn from the Great Hurricane of 1938 inspired them to rebuild the property at its current location on a spit of land between the ocean and a salt pond. The inn was run by four generations of the family, until 2010, when Weekapaug resident Lang Wheeler and Watch Hill resident Chuck Royce teamed up to revamp the inn for the millennium. The multimillion-dollar renovation turned the property into a sophisticated Relais & Chateaux escape. However, even in its luxe incarnation, the inn still retains the warm, intimate vibe it was known for.
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Cozy yet sophisticated
The Vibe: The hotel has maintained its classic preppy vibe, but now has a more sophisticated twist. With the manicured grounds, people playing croquet on the lawn (cocktails in hand), and the classic design of the interiors, there is a mini-country club feel here in terms of style. Think Greek Key-festooned pillows and settees covered in paisley with Adirondack prints on the wall. But the energy is warm, friendly, and all about relaxing. You’ll find Adirondack chairs to lounge outside, chicly patterned upholstered furniture to curl up in by the fire, and lots of little nooks to play a game of checkers or relax with your Kindle.
The Rooms: Weekapaug resident Nancy Taylor designed the guest rooms with sweet, preppy details like matalesse coverlets, colorful patterned headboards, soothing wall colors, and paintings by local artists. Couples will want to splurge for the Fenway Suites in a separate building overlooking the pool and pond. The suites offer private terraces, panoramic views, and quiet (no kids are allowed). For families, many of the Cove View rooms can accommodate a crib, and the Cove View suites have a separate living area with a daybed and pull-out trundle.
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Take a nature tour with naturalist Bullinger.
Amenities: The hotel offers the amenities of a much larger resort — without the crowds (the property only has 27 rooms and four two-bedroom suites). In the summer, guests can park it at the gorgeous outdoor pool with pond views. The breathtaking two-mile beach is open to inn guests and Weekapaug residents only. The expansive saltwater pond can be navigated by sailboat, kayak, or paddle boards. The inn also employs a friendly, patient, and extremely knowledgable in-house naturalist Mark Bullinger. He runs nature tours of the pond from an electric boat or a Boston Whaler along with crabbing, pond dredging, and remote-control sailboat races. In cooler weather, guests can take out the inn’s mountain bikes to explore the town, play croquet or shuffleboard on the sweeping lawn, dive into the game cabinet, or head down to warm up by the outdoor fire and roast s’mores. In addition, all of the amenities at the sister property, The Ocean House, in nearby Watch Hill, are open to guests including the spa, squash court, beach, and restaurants.
What I Loved: It’s all in the details here. Everything is so well thought out to make your stay feel truly special. For example, the staff makes a point to know every guest, including the kids. I frequently heard waitstaff talking about their tables by name. Within hours of arriving you will notice that everyone from the valets to the lobby staff greet you by name. Other thoughtful perks include gorgeous custom coloring books for kids and bottles of water handed out whenever you take your car off property. On each floor, a small pantry is set up so that guests have whatever they need 24/7 at no additional cost (take that minibar fees!). You’ll find fresh-baked muffins in the morning next to the coffee maker and warm cookies every afternoon.
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Another restaurant or two would be nice.
What I Didn’t Love: The only downside is that with one restaurant in the cooler months and no others within walking distance, you are a little limited with choice when it comes to food. However, there are plenty of options within driving distance and the inn offers a shuttle over to their sister property The Ocean House. That being said, executive chef, Jennifer Backman has put together a lovely New England-inspired menu. Think beef from local family farms, oysters from nearby waters, fresh seafood, and artisanal cheeses from the region.
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