RHODE ISLAND

BY JENNIFER SPERRY

The impressive Ocean House resort—which indeed looks like a house, albeit a very large one, outfitted in cheery, hard-to-miss yellow—began as a grand Victorian hotel in 1868. After the original hotel closed in 2003, it was purchased in 2004 and rebuilt for six years before reopening in 2010. Today, Ocean House is still just as grand and probably even more inviting. A Relais & Châteaux member and a Watch Hill icon, it enjoys Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings.

Amenities include 49 rooms and 18 Signature suites, plus a 650foot private beach with cabana beach service and unrivaled views of Montauk, Block Island and the Atlantic. A croquet lawn, putting green and shuffleboard court invite outdoor activities while the relaxing main living room, which serves afternoon tea, and the onsite OH! Spa encourage indoor unwinding. A spectacular meal is never far away thanks to the resort’s fine dining restaurant Seasons, its warm and welcoming Bistro and its view-laden outdoor dining spots, Verandah, Dune Cottage and Seaside Terrace. oceanhouseri.com

On the western-most tip of Newport, Castle Hill Inn enjoys an entire peninsula to itself with views of East Passage and the Atlantic. Originally the summer home of noted marine biologist and naturalist Alexander Agassiz, it is now part of the prestigious Relaix & Châteaux family and welcomes both weekenders as well as long-term vacationers with a blend of luxury and classic coastal charm.

Room options range from cottages by the beach to cozy rooms in the mansion to Harbor House rooms overlooking Grace Kelly Beach, a rocky enclave frequented by the famous actress one summer during a movie shoot. Once settled, guests can opt for an indulgent spa treatment at The Retreat followed by a special-occasion meal in the dining room, where the cuisine is bested only by the restaurant’s signature views of Narragansett Bay. But no one should ever leave Castle Hill without experiencing “The Lawn,” where small plates and summer cocktails can be delivered right to your Adirondack chair. castlehillinn.com

Walking along Newport’s Cliff Walk and taking in the sights of the mansions is one thing, but staying in one is quite another. This is why The Chanler at Cliff Walk is such a special place: it’s a 19thcentury mansion-turned-boutique-hotel with just 20 exclusive, romantic rooms decorated in various period styles. Equally appealing is The Spiced Pear restaurant, which serves up New England cuisine with French influences.

Upon check-in, guests are greeted with a glass of sparkling wine, and the decadence doesn’t end there. The Chanler offers complimentary car service to Newport destinations such as mansions, beaches and restaurants. During the summer months, it’s possible to arrange for daytime butler service on a Newport beach of your choosing: besides the requisite chairs, umbrella and towels, this package comes with a perfectly prepared picnic lunch for two. thechanler.com