Luxury Rhode Island Family Resort: Weekapaug Inn
Picture this: crowded boardwalks, packed beaches, greasy pizza, arcade games, and flashing amusement park lights. Cue the screeching brakes. You’re not going there.
Don’t get me wrong – sometimes that wild and fun beach scene is just what the doctor ordered. But, if you’re instead dreaming of a New England summer vacation that’s low-key and glamorous, then Weekapaug Inn is the next luxury family resort that you just have to visit!
As you drive through the residential roads to get to Weekapaug, you’ll notice local kids riding bikes and a few ocean-goers dotting the private beach. Moms and dads, when you round the corner and the Weekapaug Inn comes into view, you can breathe a sigh of relief – you know you picked the right spot.
Full, fluffy, white Hydrangeas surround the brown trim, and a wide open grassy lawn tempts you to run around like a wild child. If you’ve brought young kids, this will become a reality shortly. As you sip your welcome drink, you’ll take in views of Quonochontaug Pond – a massive saltwater pond that stretches from the shores of the inn to the Atlantic Ocean. It almost feels like a private retreat – an elegant and fun beach club with accents of summer camp that’ll take you down memory lane.
If you spend the whole vacation simply staying put – letting the kids explore the grounds while you relax in an Adirondack chair – you’ll never feel bored and you’ll return home refreshed and relaxed. This luxury Rhode Island family resort has tons of amenities, delicious New England cuisine, and beautiful suites for families to call home. Keep reading to learn more about our fantastic stay at Weekapaug Inn.
For your Planning Purposes
Getting there: The Weekapaug Inn is 2.5-3 hours from NYC and just under 2 hours from Boston. While it’s easiest to drive, there’s also an Amtrak train station located 15 minutes away.
Getting around: If you wish to visit the sister property, Ocean House, you can use the hotel’s complimentary car service (based on availability). If you have your own car, Weekapaug guests can park at the Ocean House. The Ocean House is located in the town of Watch Hill, about 15 minutes away.
When to visit: Summer is the high season, but even at full capacity it won’t feel crowded – there’s only 33 rooms! This inn books out months in advance, so make your reservations early.
Location of Weekapaug Inn
The Weekapaug Inn is located in southern Rhode Island in the town of Westerly. It’s about a 10-15 minute drive from the small coastal village of Watch Hill, where you’ll find shops and other restaurants.
Hotel Highlights For Families
Here are some of the most attractive amenities that families will especially appreciate when staying at Weekapaug Inn:
- Suite accommodations with laundry: There are options for both 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom suites. The Carriage House 1-bedroom suites, and 2-bedroom signature suites come with fully equipped kitchens and breakfast areas. The 2 bedroom suites also have washers/dryers to clean off those sandy beach clothes!
- Heated pool and sun deck: This resort has one of my favorite hotel pools! On a hot summer day, it feels like you’re on a private island. The warm sun deck will keep your naked toes happy, and the cool refreshing saline pool is the perfect spot to take a dip.
- Full service beach amenities: The Atlantic Ocean is only a few minutes walk down the pebble driveway, and the hotel has access to a private beach. Even though it’s a quick walk, hotel staff will happily drive anyone on golf carts to the beach entrance – a helpful touch when you’re trekking to the sand with small kids. They’ll also set up umbrellas, bring towels, and have sand toys.
- Focus on nature: There are plenty of on-site activities – all of which are listed below in full detail. However, what sets the Weekapaug Inn apart is its focus on nature. They have an on-site naturalist, and family centered outdoor activities like complimentary biking, kayaking, and paddleboarding on Quonochontaug Pond. For younger kids, inquire about the adorable scavenger hunt.
Those were just the highlights! If you’d like to learn more about these amenities, and others offered at the inn, then keep on reading!
Weekapaug Inn Amenities
You really won’t need to leave the property for this summer getaway – there’s so much to explore in this summer-camp-meets-rustic-lake-house inn. Whether your kids are racing across the grassy lawn, or excitedly anticipating s’mores at night, or tackling their first paddleboard excursion, get ready for adventurous and fun vacation. Here’s some additional details about about amenities at the Weekapaug Inn.
Check In / Welcome
As your car crunches across the gravel, and pulls up to the entrance, you're immediately welcomed with a big smile. You're going to feel tempted to explore the grounds right away, but it's check-in time!
Meander up a small staircase to the 2nd floor lobby, where a beautiful sitting area and fireplace awaits. The large windows allow you to quickly peek at the front of the property, with its grassy lawn and pond. The front desk staff waved to our 3 year old daughter, and surprised her with a small stuffed animal – a true lifesaver as her travel-blogger -mom had forgotten this crucial item at home! This is the type of place where soon you'll know everyone by name.
Grounds and Games on the Waterfront
The Weekapaug Inn feels like a giant dream lake house, with lawn games spread out for everyone to enjoy, and water activities available to pass the time.
After check-in, come on down to the spacious “backyard,” where the rustic brown shingled building faces the pond. Adorindack chairs, picnic tables, and a firepit are all spots where you can relax with the kids and enjoy a snack or s’more. If you’re not quite ready to venture into the water, you can check out the bocce ball court, outdoor shuffleboard, or have the little ones climb through the boat themed playground.
The inn is nestled above Quonochontaug Pond, but this pond feels more like a lake! Grab a complimentary kayak, paddleboard or canoe and start exploring. They even offer sailing lessons with sunfish sailboats. My favorite pond adventure was climbing aboard the Quonnie Queen – the inn’s 24 foot long electric Elco boat. Cruise along the waters as you learn about the surrounding area and wildlife – it’s a short 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for kids.
Heated Pool / Jacuzzi
Some pools overlook the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. Some pools overlook the Tuscan landscape. The Weekapaug pool stands proudly atop… a marshy pond…and guess what…it’s stunning!
Whether you’re lounging in the comfortable sun chairs, splashing in the pool with the kids, or relaxing in the jacuzzi, you’re going to wonder how it ever took you this long to discover this slice of Rhode Island heaven.
It’s a family friendly scene, without being overrun by kids and chaos. You’ll be able to relax and the kids will follow suit. It’s pretty easy to do so while laying under the bright yellow umbrellas and enjoying the scrumptious menu pool-side.
Private Beach Access
There is a private beach a 3 minute walk from the main inn. Now, moms…I know what you’re thinking – 3 minutes can seem like stretches across the Sahara with young kids. Don’t worry. The Weekapaug Inn takes the schlep out of the sand process.
There was always an attendant willing to drive us over in a golf cart, and call ahead to have umbrellas set up and towels ready to go. If you get hungry, check out the small concession stand at The Bathhouse, with pre-made sandwiches, salads, chips and drinks. They also have bathrooms and showers for hotel guests to use.
The beach itself is fantastic to visit with kids – wide open swaths of sand, gentle waves, and beautiful coastline. We spent hours each day just running in and out of the ocean. It’s going to feel like you’re on your own private island.
Nature Walks
Weekapaug Inn has an on site naturalist who takes guests on nature walks around the property. There’s an abundance of wildlife to view (get ready bird lovers!). This is a great activity to do with older kids too.
Gym
The full gym is located next to the pool and has views of the pond.
Nighttime Activities
When dinner ends, head back out onto the open lawn for s’mores by the fire. There’s plenty of chairs around the campfire, and the hotel packages pre-assembled bags filled with all your s’more goodies.
Complimentary
It’s the small details that guests really remember – services or amenities that go a little above and beyond can really make a resort stand out. These were some of the small touches that stuck with us:
- There are complimentary bikes for guests to use, including 2 child bikes. I love being able to go for a quick ride on vacation! This everyday activity at home feels 10x more exotic and peaceful at a resort. My husband and I (while my mom babysat) were able to enjoy an actual biking date together. We rolled through the residential streets, making our way to Fenway Beach.
- Have a midnight craving? Just pop on your slippers and head down the hall to the hotel pantry. Grab anything you’d like off the shelf – it’s stocked everyday with cookies, muffins and drinks. This soon became Claire’s favorite part of the hotel!
Pet Friendly
You’re welcome to bring you furry friends (under 35 pounds) to the inn.
Wifi and News
The hotel provides WIFI and a guest newspaper delivered everyday.
Want to Learn More about Westerly, Rhode Island?
Check out these guides and learn more about Weekapaug's sister property:
Weekapaug Inn Accomodations
The entire inn underwent a complete remodel in 2012 and now every space features heated bathroom flooring, clawfoot tubs, feather top beds, luxury linens, and some even have private stairwell and elevator access.
When you select a room at Weekapaug, you’re choosing a unique space. This is not a hotel of copied artwork and standardized interiors. On the contrary, each room has original art on the walls, and contains furniture or items that were once located in the original inn. No matter which room you choose for your luxury vacation at the Weekapaug Inn, you can’t go wrong. Every room has been decorated and furnished with comfort in mind.
Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind as you choose what's best for your family:
- Regular Rooms - Regular rooms feature a pond or cove view, with a king sized bed and a spacious bathroom. There are also 1 bedroom suites available, which have a separate living space and pull-out day bed. The 1 bedroom suites may be a good option for those traveling with kids; however, do note that the separate living room does not have a door to close off the space from the bedroom.
- Suites - Weekapaug has a variety of suites available. The Carriage House rooms offer 1 bedroom suites, with a breakfast area and small kitchen. The Fenway Suites don’t have kitchens, but do have private decks with stunning views of Quonochontaug Pond. The Signature Suites are 2 bedroom suites, with fully equipped kitchens and separate dining/living area. Some also have private outdoor space.
Room Tip
- We chose to stay in the 2 bedroom signature suite, Piping Plover. It was incredibly spacious and comfortable. We even had an elevator in our room!
- Moms and Dads, keep this in mind if booking Piping Plover: The separate media room (not pictured) has a pull out sofa bed that's perfect for kids, but the door has slotted shingles. Therefore, it’s not perfectly sound proof and some light can spill in. Nothing that a sound machine and some fun eye covers can't fix!
Weekapaug Inn Restaurant & Food Options
During the summer there are 2 main restaurants available for families at the Weekapaug Inn, in addition to a few casual options. They’re all family friendly and the staff goes out of their way to welcome the kids – Claire got to order off her own sailboat-shaped menu, and had plenty of crayons to keep her heart content. Here’s a quick run down of culinary choices on property:
- The Restaurant - The Restaurant is a French-brasserie style menu, serving elegant farm-to-table cuisine with locally sourced ingredients (every ingredient is sourced within a 100 miles radius of the hotel!). It’s also where breakfast is served each morning, overlooking the Quonochontaug Pond.
- Garden Room - The Garden Room is where guests can curl up in a comfortable chair and relax with a cup of tea or afternoon cocktail. There is a large, welcoming wood burning fireplace in the corner and it’s the perfect spot to grab a small snack.
- SeaRoom - Three words: Red. Pepper. Pasta. That’s the dish I devoured on my first visit to the SeaRoom, licking my plate and wishing I hadn’t gone “half-sies” with my husband. The menu also includes classics like lobster rolls and burgers, but also more refined dishes like horseradish crusted salmon. Even the kids menu seemed elegant, with offerings like bucatini mac and cheese – I’ll admit I snuck a few bites and it was delicious! I recommend requesting a table on the outside deck, overlooking the pond. The views are beautiful and it also gives the kids the freedom to run around on the lawn while waiting for the food to arrive.
- Bathhouse - The Bathhouse is conveniently located next to the private beach, which is a 3 minute walk from the inn. They have a small selection of premade sandwiches and salads, as well as a selection of drinks.
- Pool - This pool menu at this resort is not some afterthought – the food here is freshly prepared and includes many of the same offerings found on the SeaRoom menu. If you wish to keep lounging in the sun, but hunger has set in, then rest assured that buttery lobster roll will arrive by your chair in no time!
Special Shout-Outs
The Weekapaug Inn is one of my favorite luxury family resorts. Many top rated hotels can deliver excellent guest experiences, but few can also evoke a feeling of “home sweet home.” Although the staff at Weekapaug Inn is young, they are beyond their years when it comes to knowledge about the hospitality sector. Every day either Collin, Emma or Harry warmly welcomed us and offered to help with any questions. They snuck some chocolate chip cookies to my daughter, quickly converting her to be a lifetime Weekapaug Inn fan. We chose to celebrate Claire’s 3rd birthday at the inn, and every staff member made an effort to sing to her, and sneak a few extra treats her way. They were extremely attentive and part of the reason why Weekapaug Inn is famous for its warm hospitality.
Perks to Keep in Mind
As a sister property to the Ocean House, Weekapaug guests are free to use the amenities at this iconic property. I’d absolutely recommend spending one of your vacation days doing so! The two resorts have completely different vibes; the Ocean House will make you think of Gatsby summer parties and Victorian-era elegance, while Weekapaug is rustic, and low key luxury. However, you simply can’t visit Westerly without making a stop at the Ocean House and strolling through Watch Hill village. As a Weekapaug guest, you’ll be able to:
- Lounge in the sand at East Beach - Ocean House has a private section reserved for hotel guests. There is a beach-side restaurant and complimentary sand toys for kids.
- Relax at OH Spa and the indoor pool - OH Spa ia Forbes 5-star winner
- Play regulation size croquet lawn - I sadly lost badly when facing my husband during our epic afternoon battle
- Eat in any of the onsite restaurants and cafes - There are 6 to choose from including the award winning COAST (kids must be 8 years old). Don’t forget to check out the on-site ice cream shop too.
That's a Wrap
A resort has won over the family when both your husband and 3 year old daughter continually ask when we can book a return trip. We became addicted to the Weekapaug Inn’s welcoming spirit, and outstanding on-site amenities. I never even felt like I had to leave the property. We will most definitely return, and can’t wait to create more family memories at the Weekapaug Inn.
Want to Learn More about Westerly, Rhode Island?
Check out these guides and learn more about Weekapaug's sister property:
I hope this article has inspired your own family getaway to the Weekapaug Inn in Westerly, Rhode Island. If you have any questions, or your own travel tips, please leave them in the comments below. Also, don't forget to sign up for the monthly newsletter, packed with travel tips, upcoming news, and access to FREE destination itineraries.
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