A big thanks to Weekapaug Inn for hosting our stay so we could provide this detailed review of our experience.
After spending an incredible two nights at Watch Hill Inn in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, my family and I drove seven miles to Weekapaug, where we checked into its sister property, the Weekapaug Inn. Our stay at Watch Hill Inn was pretty awesome (read our Watch Hill Inn review here), so the bar was set high for Weekapaug Inn. Fortunately, it delivered in every way.
Weekapaug Inn is situated in an idyllic location along the Quonochontaug Pond, with the Atlantic Ocean just beyond. It’s a lovely area to walk around with lots to do. Our kids (Jack, 5 and Olivia, 2) loved every minute of their outdoor adventures there, which I’ll elaborate on below. Both inside and out, the property exudes quintessential New England style. It was originally built in 1899 and in 2012, underwent a $20 million renovation that enabled the inn to be updated with more modern amenities while preserving its rich history. It’s safe to say the renovation was a huge success. Everything strikes the exact right chord.
Our Arrival
We pulled up to Weekapaug Inn and the kids were chomping at the bit to get out of their car seats and check it out. The staff that greeted us really couldn’t have been any friendlier and they got our stay off to a perfect start.
In early 2013, just a few months after opening following the renovation, the inn was invited to be a part of Relais & Chateaux, an association that sets the world standard for excellence in hospitality. From the moment we arrived, it didn’t take long to understand why. In addition to the impeccable service and beautiful accommodations, there were unique touches and amenities along the way that made our experience there feel special.
As soon as you enter the property, you’re greeted by the Hunter Borrowing Closet, a beautiful cabinet filled with Hunter boots and coats, part of a first-of-its-kind partnership between a US hotel and Hunter. It’s so unexpected and charming. I thought we’d have no need for them but sure enough, we did, which I’ll get to shortly.
The inn’s front desk is located at the top of a beautiful staircase that winds up to the second floor. Beautiful artwork fills all the walls.
Across from the front desk is a common area with comfy seating, bookcases and a fireplace, where guests can relax and truly make themselves at home.
Our Room
The inn has 34 rooms and ours was just down the hall from the front desk. (There are also suites and a cottage on property.) We were in a Pond View One-Bedroom Suite, which was between 460 and 570 square feet. There was a king-sized bed in one room, outfitted with beautiful linens and a nice, removable headboard cover, which my wife thought was unique and such a good idea. It was nice to know that the upholstered headboard had a cover that could be removed and washed – a small detail but a very nice one. Plus, it looked great, too. Also worth noting is the lavender linen spray left by our pillows, a very nice amenity.
The separate living room had a daybed with a trundle, which of course, the kids loved sleeping in. There was also a small table where you could eat a meal by the window.
When you arrive, you’ll find bottles of wine, gin, vodka and whiskey on the table. This mini bar is free for guests. I don’t drink and my wife very rarely does but it is a nice (and generous!) touch if you want to mix a drink or kick back with a glass of wine in the evening.
The bathroom was lovely with beautiful tile, a heated towel rack and Molton Brown bath amenities.
There are no phones in the rooms (an intercom connects you to the front desk) and there are no Smart TVs, but with so many things to do outdoors, you won’t want to spend your time indoors on a device, anyway.
In fact, there was a pair of binoculars and a bird book in our room, which our kids loved and they spent lots of time looking out the window for birds and other wildlife.
Breakfast
In the mornings, you’ll find fresh pastries, muffins, coffee and tea in the lobby near the front desk.
There’s also a communal ‘pantry’ open throughout the day with drinks, fresh made chocolate chip cookies and snacks like Goldfish, trail mix, Planters peanuts and dried fruit.
On our first morning, we met Teddy, the inn’s resident naturalist, in the lobby and he was an instant hit with the kids. The most affable guy you’ll meet, Teddy won the kids over with his genuine interest and easygoing conversation with them. He’s got a real knack and beyond all the other great things about the inn, he really made our stay exceptional.
Guests can enjoy a full breakfast in the restaurant, which is a beautiful space with regular tables and chairs as well as upholstered banquette seating. Because of Covid, we opted to eat outdoors on the patio, which was also lovely because the inn is in such an idyllic location. Plus, the kids could explore the expansive grassy backyard and the tideline while we waited for our food, which of course they loved. Check out a sample breakfast menu here.
Crabbing
My kids love marine life thanks to shows like Octonauts and Wild Kratts (here’s a list of kid-friendly, travel-inspired shows) so when I spotted a crab while walking near the shoreline, I asked Jack and Olivia if they wanted to go crabbing. I never really knew much about crabbing until my brother took me, my niece and nephews once on Nantucket.
I figured we’d just grab a string with some bread like we did in Massachusetts but Teddy overheard us and said, “Let’s go get some boots on and I will get some nets.” Turns out, we did need the Hunter Borrowing Closet, which is complimentary for guests to use to romp around the grounds, whether for walks on the beach, boating excursions, biking, birding or, in our case, crabbing. We went out to the pond behind the inn and waded into the water with our nets and we did find little crabs. We netted some but put everything back. Teddy would put one on his arm so Jack and Olivia could watch it crawl and they loved it.
After crabbing, I had a heck of a time getting my boots off but I learned a useful trick. If you ever find yourself stuck in a pair of rubber boots (foolishly, I didn’t wear socks), Teddy recommends pouring a bit of liquid dish detergent down the back of the boot to lube it up. It worked like a charm though I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t had an army to help pull it off!
Other Things to Do at Weekapaug Inn
Weekapaug Inn is a great location for a wedding, a couple’s getaway or a girls’ weekend but it’s also extremely family-friendly, which of course was perfect for us.
The beach is a short distance (about a five-minute walk) and the inn has golf carts that can drive you there.
Our kids spent lots of time exploring the tideline, finding crab shells and cool rocks.
They loved the small pirate ship playground with a slide …
… as well as the lawn games like bocce, shuffleboard and corn hole.
There are beautiful hiking paths, which we walked along at sunset.
The 65-foot heated saline outdoor lap pool and Jacuzzi are open seasonally (Memorial Day through October, weather-dependent) and have views of Quonochontaug Pond. You can relax in one of the teak chaise lounges, under an oversized umbrella and enjoy food and drink.
Right next to the pool is a gym with strength training equipment as well as a studio for yoga and pilates classes.
Weekapaug Inn also has bikes for guests to explore the property with, kites, fishing poles and kayaks, but the water has to be 60 degrees to go out on.
Dinner
Just outside the inn’s main restaurant is The Bar, a serene lounge where guests can enjoy a drink and a bite from the casual New England-inspired menu. The space is cozy and inviting and there are tabletop games to enjoy, too, like chess and cards.
Inside the restaurant, guests can enjoy a delicious meal (see a sample dinner menu here) of farm fresh cuisine that showcases the flavors of Rhode Island and the Atlantic coast. Reservations are required. Again, because of Covid, we opted for room service during our stay. Let’s just say that the lobster rolls were so good, we ordered them twice. And at $29 for hot or cold lobster rolls, they weren’t outrageously priced. The kids, who can be picky, devoured their pasta with fresh-made tomato sauce. FYI: The dress code for The Restaurant is resort casual (collared shirts, Bermuda-style shorts, slacks or smart blue jeans).
Fireside S’mores
In the evenings at 7pm, we grabbed our sweatshirts and headed out into the brisk evening air to sit fireside and roast marshmallows for S’mores, using the complimentary kits provided by the inn.
Between the S’mores, the beach, the hiking, the playground, lawn games and the crabbing, the kids really were living their best lives!
Ocean House Amenities
Weekapaug Inn is part of the Ocean House Collection, which owns and operates two other properties in the area: Ocean House and Watch Hill Inn, both in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. All three properties are part of the Relais & Chateaux portfolio. Watch Hill is a special place to me, as my family and I spent our summers vacationing there when I was a kid. We always stayed at Ocean House and I’ve returned since then with my family to continue the tradition.
As I mentioned above, we started this Rhode Island adventure at Watch Hill Inn but what’s nice about these three properties is that when you stay at either Watch Hill Inn or Weekapaug Inn, you can also enjoy unrestricted access to complimentary daily resort activities at Ocean House, a 15-minute drive down the road in Watch Hill. The beach at Ocean House is beautiful (with a view of the impressive and iconic yellow Ocean House behind you and Taylor Swift’s sprawling estate on the cliffs overlooking the beach) and definitely stop by for lunch at The Verandah while you’re there. My wife and I are all about sampling lobster rolls all along the east coast when we’re there in summer but the entire menu offers delicious seasonal, local fare. Check out a sample menu here.
Volvo Program
Weekapaug Inn offers guests complimentary use of a Volvo SUV as part of their Volvo Test Drive Program. The vehicles are available on a first-come, first-served basis for day use (7am to 5pm) or evening use (6pm to midnight). We didn’t get around to driving one of the house vehicles because we were on a road trip and had a rental car of our own and there were so many things to do with the kids on-property that we didn’t need to leave for the two nights we were there. But if you need a vehicle, this is a great option for exploring the surrounding area. They currently have two self-driving electric Volvos with adaptive control for guests to use.
Overall
Our stay at Weekapaug Inn was an incredible getaway. Laidback and full of charm with lots of family-friendly activities for our kids, it was a wonderful memory-making experience and we hope to return again soon. The friendly staff were a big part of our positive experience and the tranquil location was just what we all needed. I highly recommend you add a Rhode Island escape to your travel plans with stays at Ocean House, Watch Hill Inn and Weekapaug Inn for a quintessentially New England experience.
