The Ocean House, one of New England’s last grand hotels, re-opened its doors in June 2010 after a $140 million rebuild and restoration. The 136-year-old property, originally built just after the Civil War, is perched high on the bluffs in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Guests enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean, Montauk and Block Island from the resort’s 49 guestrooms and 15 signature suites.
In the 19th century, wealthy, socially prominent families like the Vanderbilts and Astors descended on Newport to escape the cities’ stifling summer heat in their seaside ‘cottages’. But their definition of ‘cottage’ was one only an aristocrat would understand.
Providence, Rhode Island combines the accessibility and friendliness of a small town with the culture and sophistication of a big city. With a thriving arts community, vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, outstanding hotels, a renowned restaurant scene and so many things to do, Providence is the perfect place to visit.
One of the first of Newport, Rhode Island’s great “Gilded Era” mansions is Chateu-sur-Mer that was built in 1851 as a Villa for William Shepard Wetmore who had made his fortune in the China Trade. For several decades, it was the scene of Newport’s most lavish parties and set the tone as the most palatial mansion in the area for four decades until the Vanderbilt houses in the 1890’s.
