Press Room

Ocean House Fact Sheet

Summary of Important Information About the Resort

THE OCEAN HOUSE AT A GLANCE

OVERVIEW:  The Ocean House sits high on the bluffs of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, overlooking a private stretch of beach with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, Montauk and Block Island.  Inspired by the Victorian architecture prevalent in the great houses of the Watch Hill area, the Ocean House will evoke a timeless elegance that captures the residential ambiance of the area’s turn of the century summer estates.  This beachfront, five-star property will feature 49 guestrooms and 23 private residences, farm-to-table casual and fine dining, an impeccable 12,000-square-foot spa and more than 10,000 square feet of event space.

LOCATION: Watch Hill has one of the most pristine and spectacular stretches of shoreline on the East Coast.  Dune grass and seabirds, waves and sunlight offer a deep and abiding sense of contentment.  The Ocean House is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City and one and a half hours from Boston, providing easy access to their international airports.  Just four miles away, Westerly Airport welcomes private aircraft as well as regional air service. T.F. Green Airport in Providence is 45 minutes away and Amtrak services are available in the nearby town of Westerly.  Transportation can be arranged through the resort to and from all airports and train stations.
OPENING DATE: June 2010

WEBSITE:  www.oceanhouseri.com

HISTORY: Famously known for its warm, yellow façade and stunning views of the Atlantic, the Ocean House opened in 1868 just after the Civil War.  The grand Victorian hotel was a genteel beach resort where generations of families and guests from across America came “to summer.”  The Ocean House welcomed guests for 135 years, until 2002 when a new structure replicating the original exterior design was conceived. More than 5,000 salvageable artifacts and furnishing elements were lovingly harvested from the original structure’s historic interiors.  These elements will become part of the $140 million new structure.

DESIGN: The new Ocean House will be beautifully appointed and casually elegant with  furnishings that bring together British Colonial, early American and seaside aesthetics in sundrenched colors of yellow, blue, turquoise and cream. The exterior, designed in the classic Victorian style of the original hotel, couples red-cedar shingled roofs with wide verandahs and features historically accurate reproduction accents to complement the rich history of Watch Hill.

ACCOMODATIONS:  The Ocean House will feature 49 guestrooms, paying tribute to luxurious, Victorian-era seaside hotels while providing every modern convenience.  Master craftsmanship will be evident at every turn of the gracious interiors; from the impeccably detailed architectural elements to the imported hardwood floors, the decorative copper trim and the custom designed furnishings.  Each spacious room, ranging from 500-square-feet to the 4,000-square-foot deluxe suites, will be richly appointed to reflect the feel of a sprawling seaside estate, offering an unrivaled residential experience.  Modern technology will be integrated throughout the guest rooms, including high-tech communications, cell phone boosters, locking and control systems and LCD flat panel televisions in rooms, as well as in the stately marble bathrooms.

RESIDENCES: The 23 residences at the Ocean House will be configured as studios and one and two  bedrooms, located in a separate residential wing.  All units will offer beach access and ocean views, and the intimacy of a private estate with access to the amenities and services of a luxury resort.  The spacious, well-proportioned rooms will fill with light from elegant oversized windows.  Rooms will feature floors made of imported marble, stone and fruit wood. Granite countertops and custom cabinetry will create an environment of warmth and style in the kitchens equipped with a full complement of premier appliances.  Marble bathrooms will feature fine fixtures and rich finishes to create a sumptuous environment that restores, revives and relaxes. Prices for residences start at $1.3 million.

DINING: Guests will be treated to inspired farm-to-table cuisine of the Atlantic Northeast in both fine and casual dining venues.  The culinary team will utilize local, estate-grown ingredients, traditional native foraging, local organic produce and ethical use of the sea to create a unique and unforgettable dining experience.  At dinner, guests will choose from menus that are changed daily, featuring the freshest ingredients from local sources.  The cuisine will be simple, based on the clean flavors of naturally prepared ingredients, and imbued with fresh herbs from the resort’s herb garden.

At Seasons Restaurant, the resort’s main dining room, each table will provide panoramic views of the sea.  A wood-burning fireplace will add to the intimate, residential atmosphere in winter and the exhibition kitchen will create a sense of excitement and activity year-round.  Up to 138 guests may enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner within the soaring dining room, on the glass enclosed terraces, or outside at tables that spill onto the Atlantic Terrace.

The Club Room will offer the classic ambiance of a wood-paneled drawing room, serving a simply prepared all-day dining menu, accompanied by signature beverages and the resort’s extensive wine list.
 
Adjacent to the resort’s pool, Seaside Terrace will offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic along with light, modern cuisine in a comfortable garden atmosphere; the perfect complement an afternoon by the pool or an evening under the stars.

At the beach, Dune Cottage, will offer an array of signature cocktails and light fare. The Living Room and Verandah will adjoin the lobby where guests can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea and live evening entertainment.

In-room dining will be available 24 hours daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  Comfort cuisine, main dining room menus and children’s menus will be available.

OH! SPA: The impeccably designed, 12,000-square-foot OH! Spa will offer year-round, seasonally-inspired signature services personalized to each guest’s needs, using locally-sourced products and organic materials.  Spa amenities will include: spacious relaxation rooms with sea views, wet treatment and couples rooms, guest lounges and locker rooms, including an herbal steam room, deluge showers and private lounge areas.

The Ocean House will also provide a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga and movement studio, as well as a full-service nail salon with a highly personalized menu.

A refreshing mix of healthy, single-bite snacks, smoothies, box lunches and custom-blended teas that echo the farm-to-table menu choices available throughout the resort will also be available.

The OH! Spa will feature a private line of premium spa products for sale inspired by the therapeutic properties of the beach and local ingredients.  Scents used in each product will change to reflect the freshest ingredients available each season.  Products from exclusive brands that share the Ocean House’s commitment to sustainability, including Korres Natural Products, Farmaesthetics, SkinCeuticals, Spa Technologies and Body Bliss, will also be available.

GOLF: Lake of Isles in North Stonington is a unique and stunning golf course property. Set in the beautiful forests of Connecticut and designed by acclaimed golf architect Rees Jones around a 90-acre lake, this golf course features a winning mix of challenge and scenery to provide an exciting round for golfers of all levels. Our guests have access to an 18-hole private course, and 18-hole resort course and the elegant 50,000 square foot clubhouse. The 18-hole "South Course" features 7,359 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72.

RETAIL: The Ocean House will feature world-class retail selections in its boutique and a wide selection of premium spa products in the OH! Spa.

POOL:  The resort will feature a 25-meter indoor lap pool with stunning ocean views through oversized windows.

BEACH: A 1,000-foot expanse of private, white-sand beach will provide an oceanfront playground replete with private cabanas and an array of water sports and activities.  Sea kayaks, surfboards and other water sports equipment will be available for guests and residents to enjoy. Dune Cottage will offer beach-goers a menu of grill classics, light fare and signature cocktails. The beach will also be available for private events. 

ACTIVITIES: A variety of daily resort activities will be offered complimentary to guests and residents, including a full culinary education program, championship croquet with a resident professional, spa and wellness programs and seasonal evening harbor cruises.  The Watch Hill area is also home to an array of theaters, museums and a myriad of outdoor activities, including surfing, fly-fishing and deep sea fishing.  Guests and residents will be able to enjoy private golf and tennis arrangements. 

CHILDREN:  The Ocean House has created imaginative and engaging programs for children and families. The village of Watch Hill offers everything from the nation’s oldest flying-horse carousel to seaside parks and homemade ice cream. At the resort activities will range from building sandcastles on the beach, water sports and nature appreciation to culinary and food adventures. There are activities for children of all ages that will entertain the entire family.
WEDDINGS & MEETINGS: The Ocean House will offer more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space for private gatherings, business conferences, board meetings and weddings. Function space will feature state-of-the-art equipment, ocean or harbor views, elegant décor and superior attendant services.  Additionally, the Ocean House is the only resort on the East Coast that offers direct access to private beach space for private events and weddings.

Private event facilities at the Ocean House will accommodate small soirees or grand fetes in the Seaside Ballroom.

ROOM RATES:  Off-season rooms from $260.  Peak-season rooms from $495.

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Daniel A. Hostettler, CHA 

OWNERSHIP: Bluff Ave., LLC, a community investment group, was formed in 2004 to preserve the Ocean House site as a resort,   community asset and significant cornerstone of the Watch Hill and Westerly communities.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The executive team at the Ocean House includes:

• Daniel A. Hostettler, Executive Vice President & Managing Director
• Jonathan Norton, Vice President of Finance
• Antonia Korosec, Assistant Managing Director – Rooms
• Donna Simmons, Real Estate Sales

AFFILIATIONS: The Ocean House is a member of Preferred Boutique.  At the heart of the Preferred Boutique experience is inspiration – that elusive characteristic that separates the extraordinary from the ordinary.  Unique by design, the Preferred Boutique collection of hotels and resorts celebrates distinctive travel experiences that showcase  style, service and personality on an intimate scale. The collection, launched in 2005 by Preferred Hotel Group, has  rapidly emerged as the brand that defines the boutique hotel experience for travelers – combining personal service, memorable experiences and intimate surroundings with the highest level of quality.

Preferred Boutique is a member of the Preferred Hotel Group family of brands, and guests are eligible to enroll in the I Prefer™ Global Guest Benefit Program, featuring benefits such as early check-in/late check-out, space-available upgrades and more. For reservations and a complete description of the Preferred Boutique collection, please visit www.preferredboutique.com.

ARCHITECT:  Centerbrook Architects and Planners, Centerbrook, CT

INTERIOR DESIGN: Niemitz Design Group, Boston, MA

ADDRESS: 1 Bluff Avenue, Watch Hill, Rhode Island 02891

PRE-OPENING OFFICE:   401-315-5599

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