Set Weekapaug Inn as your Westerly destination for accommodation and you won’t be disappointed, in fact, you’ll be very impressed. First of all, you have the convenience factor. The inn is just four miles from the Westerly airport and just a short drive from New York or Boston. But convenience is not the Weekapaug’s only advantage. You can also revel in the history, comfort, and fine dining at this luxury hotel.
Weekapaug’s History
The Weekapaug originated in 1989, when Rhode Island entrepreneur, Frederick Buffum and his wife Phoebe, opened a small inn on an attractive split of land overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and a salt pond. The panoramic views were, and still are, breathtaking. The Buffum’s goal was to create a friendly and welcoming resort for families just like themselves.
The inn’s stunning location and the Buffum’s genuine hospitality combined with the relaxed scheduling of sporting, sailing and socializing soon made the inn a very popular destination for visitors from Rhode Island and further afield. Before long, the Buffums expanded the inn beyond its initial capacity for thirty guests to a hotel which could comfortably accommodate more than one hundred. Year after year, regular guests returned to enjoy the luxury, comfort, and social activities the inn afforded.
After the original building was damaged by the hurricane of 1938, the Buffums rebuilt the inn on the more sheltered Western shore of Quonochontaug Pond. The Buffum’s foresight has led them to convince other homeowners to rebuild further away from the precarious beachfront location, which resulted in the creation of a privately-owned, secluded community which has changed only slightly since those times.
Today, many of the cottages dating back to the re-build are owned by descendants of the original families and the community retains its air of beauty, tranquility and unparalleled serenity. In 2010, the inn was restored, maintaining traditional values of comfort and luxury. The annual migration of visitors continues, and the owners and staff continue to extend their personal welcome to all their guests.
Meet Today’s Innkeeper
The Weekapaug’s current innkeeper, Simon, has a reputation that precedes him. Not only does he have training in fine dining cuisine, but he also has the broad range of skills garnered from serving in the British Army. Simon has traveled the globe and is adding all his cultural experience to maintaining the standards of the inn.
Weekapaug Accommodations
One of the things you will notice when you first visit the inn is that during the most recent renovations, the architects took great care to make sure that each room was comfortable, spacious and private. Whichever type of accommodation you choose, be it the cove view rooms, the pond view rooms, the Fenway suits, or the Signature suites, you will find a piece of heaven.
All rooms offer unique views, room layout, and furniture. This maintains the tradition of the inn, in that former guests enjoy returning year after year to their preferred room; just like a home from home. Each room is decorated with unique upholstery and textiles and on the walls hang paintings and drawings by local artists. The inn is a pet-friendly establishment and small dogs up to 35 pounds are also welcome.
Salt Spray Farm Cottage
As well as the sumptuous rooms in the inn, Weekapaug also offers Salt Spray Farm Cottage, a recently renovated barn-style accommodation, boasting beautiful views of the natural landscape and nearby ocean and salt pond. The 3,000-square-foot cottage is nestled within 13 acres of landscaped grounds and has many elegant features such as pine floors, a fire pit, outdoor shower, terrace deck area, and children’s swing set. It’s great for entertaining and cooking out with family and friends. Some of the cottage’s other features include:
- All new furnishings
- Five bedrooms
- Wood burning fireplace in the living room
- Formal dining area
- Media room
- State-of-the-art appliances
- Wine fridge in the kitchen
- Dedicated cottage concierge
- Temporary Weekapaug Inn membership permitting full access to resort dining
- Resort activities
Dining at the Weekapaug Inn
You will delight in the fine dining cuisine at the Weekapaug Inn Restaurant. Each exquisitely prepared meal is created by Executive Chef Devin Bozkaya, who originated from Germany but spent most of his youth in Turkey, where he immersed in traditional Ottoman-style cuisine.
Chef Bozkaya and his team work in tandem with local suppliers to procure only the best in seasonal, locally raised and harvested ingredients. On the Weekapaug’s menu, you’ll find dishes inspired by the Yankee New England and Italian roots of Rhode Island cuisine. The restaurant provides an ambient dining environment. The Garden Room is a great spot for socializing with a drink or choosing something from the light menu. During the summer months, you can also enjoy the Sea Room, where you can enjoy a cocktail or a casual meal.
When you stay at the Weekapaug Inn, you’ll never go hungry because you will be starting your day off with our generous complimentary breakfast, which is one of the inn’s most treasured rituals. If you’re craving a healthy snack between meals, you can take advantage of the guest pantry. If you’re planning to take a day trip during your stay, just let the staff know the night before and the kitchen staff will pack a picnic lunch for you.
Thursday Night Weekapaug Inn Dining Tradition
Throughout the summer months, Weekapaug guests can participate in a long-standing tradition: Thursday night clambakes. Overlooking Quonochontaug Pond, the weekly event is a social, buffet-style meal replete with clambake fares such as clam chowder, steamed mussels and clams, Stonington lobsters, and a selection of mouthwatering sides and complimentary beverages. Guests are invited to play classic lawn games, and toast smores by the fire pit.
Whatever time of year you choose to visit the Weekapaug Inn, and however long you stay, you are guaranteed to feel right at home, and to have a vacation that you will remember forever. In fact, you will want to keep coming back, year after year to relive your memories and see your old friends.
