Rhode Island Rapture: Weekapaug Inn

Weekapaug Inn delights successful each seasons

I’ve agelong desired to sojourn Rhode Island. I’ve romanticized the state’s earthy beauty, its historical charm, and its seemingly idyllic mode of life. For me, Rhode Island conjures images of an enchanting coastal existence, with scenic lighthouses, sailing adventures, and endless stretches of beach. I’ve imagined it a spot of elemental pleasures and of timeless elegance, wherever past and modernity coexist. How fortunate was I that my archetypal sojourn to the Ocean State included a enactment at Weekapaug Inn, a hospitality acquisition that confirmed astir each conception that I had astir this enchanting New England state. 

The Cape Cod benignant Relais & Chateaux is charming, to enactment it mildly

Located conscionable crossed the Connecticut borderline successful Westerly, wrong the peaceful assemblage of Weekapaug, the classical Cape Cod style Relais & Chateaux inn is charming, to enactment it mildly. Originally built successful 1899, the Inn has welcomed guests ever since to its bucolic scenery wherever a shimmering prima rises implicit Quonochontaug Pond, Adirondack chairs grace the large lawn, interior communal spaces supply cozy respite, and a verdant chef’s plot provides the Inn’s room and barroom with the freshest of ingredients. 33 impermanent rooms, including four Signature Suites, scope from 250 to 2,000 quadrate feet. Each is distinctive successful décor, and each is equipped with the finest amenities, arsenic good arsenic a premix of archetypal Inn furnishings and up-to-date pieces. My Fenway Suite (of which determination are three) included a private, furnished terrace with heavy soaking tub, a mini barroom of deluxe sized spirits for the taking, and turndown work chocolates. 

Weekapaug Inn's Fenway Suites place Quonochontaug Pond. Photo by Fran Miller

I’m definite that Weekapaug Inn captivates successful each seasons. My precocious October enactment allowed for cocktails by a wood burning fireplace in The Bar, the Inn’s welcoming, cardinal gathering spot, arsenic brushed jazz played successful the background. Cool, windy upwind induced maine to prime a brace of Wellies from the Inn’s Hunter Borrowing Closet for my speedboat circuit of the pond, led by the Inn’s in-house naturalist who pointed retired the area’s varied flora and fauna. Stocked with boots and slickers successful a assortment of colors and sizes for complimentary use, the closet is simply a amusive perk and its contents are perfect for formation walks, boating excursions, biking, vertebrate watching, stargazing, and more. My autumn sojourn besides introduced maine to the fabled autumn colors of the eastbound coast, each spot arsenic beguiling arsenic I was led to believe—the afloat palette disposable from my Fenway Suite’s ample representation window. And cooler months bring a calm quietude and tranquility that I recovered immensely restorative.

Guests tin prime a brace of Wellies from the Hunter Borrowing Closet. Photo by Fran Miller

The Inn's saline swimming excavation is unfastened done November. Photo by Fran Miller

As fulfilled arsenic I was during my autumn stay, I tin lone ideate what pleasures warmer upwind allows: boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, entree to a achromatic soil formation with umbrellas, chairs and towels, lobster boils and BBQs on the tract wherever shuffleboard and cornhole beckon, and sunbathing astir the Inn’s pristine heated saline swimming excavation and blistery tub (which is really unfastened done November.) Golf and tennis tin beryllium arranged by petition astatine a adjacent backstage facility. 

The cuisine alone—so beautiful, delicious, and redolent of the Inn’s Relais & Chateaux designation—is worthy a stay. Breakfast, lunch, and meal are enjoyed wrong casually elegant The Restaurant where Executive Chef Andrew Brooks, Sous Chef Cameron Gray, and Executive Pastry Chef Jessica Quiet make a spot of culinary magic with their seasonal instrumentality connected New England coastal cuisine. The trio works intimately with section growers, farmers, and fishmongers to endure the finest ingredients are disposable astatine highest freshness. More than fulfilling was my precocious harvest, heirloom herb tart, cookware seared halibut, and solid of Sancerre. Chef Quiet’s Coffeemilk Crunch Bar (brownie, biscotti crumble and salted caramel) was the cleanable denouement. The eating country is cozy, with views of the pond and the lawn. In warmer months, al fresco eating is offered connected The Deck and astir the pool, and formation snacks, sandwiches and pizza are served astatine the Bathhouse. S’mores are de rigueur each nighttime successful immoderate play (weather permitting).

Multiple communal areas connection cozy respite. Photo by Fran Miller

Weekapaug Inn, Westerly, Rhode Island

A Relais & Châteaux hotel is portion of a prestigious postulation of independently owned luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants that are agreed by a committedness to excellence successful hospitality, service, and the creation of living. Key criteria include: exceptional location, exceptional high-end service, unsocial character, exceptional gastronomy, and a committedness to sustainability and section culture

In essence, a Relais & Châteaux spot is much than conscionable a luxury hotel; it is an acquisition that embodies the finest elements of hospitality, cuisine, and section culture, with an accent connected authenticity, individuality, and an elevated consciousness of service. Weekapaug Inn is conscionable specified a property.

Photos courtesy of Weekapaug Inn, but wherever noted