Luxe for Less

Winter is known in the hospitality industry as the low or off-season, but for those with wanderlust easily satisfied without airfare, it can be the perfect time to experience champagne tastes on a seltzer budget. For starters, the properties themselves are everything: your room isn’t just a home base; it’s the main stage, and pricing that could be unaffordable during peak season may now be within range. It’s a low-stakes way to sample high-end places that you may later deem worthy of a summertime splurge – or not. This is the kind of trip that can soothe

NINE AMAZING PLACES THAT WILL HAVE YOU PACKING YOUR BAGS RIGHT NOW FOR IN-STATE STAYS THAT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OFF-SEASON RATES

BY ELYSE MAJOR

the soul – there’s time to read or just be without the guilt of forgoing sun time; even better, no flight delays or connections to fret over. For a small state, Rhode Island has a host of wonderful places offering specials to entice folks out of hibernation. No matter the scale, the common denominator here is a sense of history and reverence for the property and setting, and for putting local makers and brands front and center in everything from guest favors to room keys. Here are nine properties worth pursuing for your own getaway.

Admiral Dewey Inn

A summer ride down Matunuck Beach Road bustles with the exuberance of an Independence Day parade; in winter, not so much, so for those seeking solitude by the sea, Admiral Dewey Inn is the perfect place to both escape – and embrace the cold. Enter the inn on a blustery afternoon to be greeted by innkeepers Emily Burns and Emily Riendeau and a warm plate of cookies at the front desk. Built in 1898, the property listed on the National Register of Historic Places has had many iterations through the years. Current owner Kevin Finnegan has given interiors boutique appeal with each room designed in a different style. The living room is mid-century mod and features legged velvet furniture in jewel tones and a Sputnik chandelier, while the loft suite is a blend of farmhouse and coastal with a gray and white palette making the most of the pitched ceiling and water views. The exterior is pure cottagecore with butter yellow cedar shakes and blue shutters. Openings for the peak season get booked early, especially with beaches and spots like The Pub, Matunuck Oyster Bar, and Theatre by the Sea nearby. While the inn has modern amenities like WiFi, most rooms don’t have TVs, but there are plenty of board games, books, and a record player in the common area. A breakfast buffet of sweet, savory, and healthy options awaits, with coffee from Mills Coffee Roasters.

The Beatrice

If you enjoy a city stay in an elegant boutique hotel, The Beatrice has your name on it. Located in the Exchange Building in downtown Providence, each of the property’s 47 rooms have soaring ceilings with tall window views to match. While nightlife is around every corner, the first level houses the elegant Bellini Restaurant, open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. High above, there’s the private Bellini Rooftop club for members and guests. Pro-tip: don’t miss golden hour for a stunning view of the skyline. In addition to low-season rates, The Beatrice offers special packages and runs a winter warm cocktail special with rotating live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Graduate

The term “grande dame” comes to mind when entering Graduate Providence. Formerly the Providence Biltmore, the entire place imbues a cinematic glamor, from the ornate lobby with its glass elevator to a colorful front desk set-up that would make Wes Anderson swoon. Built in 1922, the landmark is a part of the city’s history, and thanks to Chicago-based owners AJ Capital Partners, the mindful renovation kept the iconic letters on the building. On the main floor, there’s Reiners Bar and Game Room, which also handles in-room dining and drinks, and across the lobby is Poindexter Coffee, a fabulous joint for java and street-level city views. The Retreat Package encourages a visit with massages at the on-site Norwich Spa. Special rates include government, university, and alumni visitors.

The Chanler

A folding sign pitched at the edge of the circular driveway reads “Come and warm up at the hot chocolate bar.” Through April 2, there’s no reservations required making The Chanler at Cliff Walk seem more approachable than at first glance. Recently awarded a World’s Best designation 2023 by Travel + Leisure , let’s be real, the 19th-century mansion – and only hotel on Newport’s famed Cliff Walk – looks a little intimidating. Accommodation options on five acres include villas, signature rooms, estate rooms, and manor rooms, outfitted in authentic Gilded Age style, replete with draperies, paintings, fireplaces, and chandeliers. Rooms look like they should be behind velvet museum ropes – but they’re not – and endearing touches like RI-made Anchor Toffee under a glass cloche – plus a welcoming staff, add up to making guests feel very much at home. The Chanler has two on-site eateries: The Cafe for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Cara, a Forbes Five-Star restaurant serving dinner only Thursday-Sunday – or truly indulge in a five or 8-course blind tasting presented by Executive Chef Jacob Jasinski. There’s also The Lounge, a handsome room for handcrafted cocktails and vintage spirits. With Easton’s Beach below, the property offers views of the Atlantic so majestic, you might just wish to get snowed in. Various Getaway Packages make the already discounted winter rates (less than half the price of summer) even more palatable.

Hammetts Hotel

Smack-dab in the thick of the action along Newport’s America’s Cup Avenue is the striking Hammetts Hotel on Commercial Wharf. Subtract a 20 percent discount off for Rhode Island residents from already significantly reduced wintertime rates, and you’ve got yourself a chic destination for a song. Giusto, a popular spot for Italian cuisine and cocktails, is mere steps away. Consider a quick stroll to Bannister’s Wharf before returning to the Hammetts’ lobby, a comfortable area seemingly sprung from the pages of a Pottery Barn catalog with tufted leather sofas, wingback chairs, and cool tripod floor lamps. Revelers take note: Hammetts is along the St. Patrick’s Day Parade route.

Ocean House

One of the benefits of an off-season stay is that depending on the day of the week, there may not be a minimum number of nights required to make a reservation. This is the case at Ocean House, the historic seaside destination in Watch Hill lovingly restored into a 5-Star Luxury Beachfront Resort. Even a single night (at half the cost of peak season) offers plenty to revel in. Special packages include Winter by the Sea where guests are welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine and receive a $100 resort credit for each day of the stay, swag like logo mugs, and a coffee table book on the history of the Ocean House, plus complimentary access to planned activities – of which there are always many! Another offer is to stay three consecutive nights and get the fourth night free, valid on all room types through April 6, 2023 (not valid with any other offer or group rates). Wander the expansive property to take in the many permanent collections of art, including original illustrations from Ludwig Bemelmans for his Madeline children’s book series. Bundle up and venture outside to the private beach accessed by key, and return for a cozy meal at on-premises dining options COAST and The Bistro, or the seasonal Gondola Village (through March 26). Feel like shopping without leaving the grounds? Stop by the Boutique, a small store filled with a mix of gifts for all ages. At check out, a little bag of sweets fulfills the OH’s promise of a fond farewell.

1661

Ever wonder what Block Island is like during winter? Locals enjoy its slower pace of life and visitors can expect to bask in the serenity of uncrowded beaches and nature trails, or marvel at breathtaking sunsets sans crowds. While most shops and restaurants are either closed or have limited hours and seatings, the concierge has updates on what’s available. Rates are significantly discounted all winter (by hundreds of dollars) and include daily continental breakfast, free parking, and wine and cheese in the afternoons. All rooms have TVs and mini fridges. Coastal-enthusiast travelers may compare the 1661 to the Wauwinet on Nantucket.