Rhode Island’s Ocean House Offers an Extraordinary Land & Sea Yacht Experience

Watch Hill, Rhode Island sunset

Ocean House, the Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, introduces a first-of-its kind Land and Sea Yacht experience that combines an unforgettable suite stay with a scenic sunset champagne cruise for up to six guests aboard the historic Aphrodite yacht. 

Named by multiple esteemed travel sources as one of the “World’s Best Hotels and Resorts,” Ocean House originally opened in 1868. Perched high on the bluffs in the charming seaside Watch Hill village, the Relais & Châteaux property re-opened its doors in 2010 after a $140 million historic rebuild. Today, guests enjoy waterfront views from the resort’s 49 guestrooms and 23 signature suites. Complimentary resort activities include culinary classes, art experiences, croquet, movies, and much more. 

Ocean House is is one of only 12 hotels in the world to receive triple five stars from Forbes Travel Guide

The Land and Sea Yacht Experience

This unique package includes a three-night stay in Ocean House’s sprawling nautical-inspired Morgan Suite, and a private cruise aboard the historic Aphrodite yacht. The Morgan Suite is reflective of Watch Hill’s maritime heritage and is inspired by the classic sailing and motor yachts that take to local waters. The bi-level suite includes four guestrooms, a private outdoor terrace, and garden space with beach-level access. In the living room, the custom-milled, vertical-grain beams, doors and floors pair seamlessly with the custom-made hardware of the suite, enhancing its warm seaside surroundings. The dining area with a demonstration kitchen features a classic Molteni range and encourages conversation while allowing dining companions to admire expansive ocean views. The lower level is complete with vintage nautical touches. A private beach cabana is also offered daily.

The Morgan Suite at Ocean House

Guests can select from a variety of curated Aphrodite yacht tours to scenic destinations and popular regional locales. Onboard, guests will learn about the yacht’s legendary history from a knowledgeable captain, while being well-cared for by an attentive crew. A professional photographer is also on-hand to capture images prior to departure, enhancing this experience that is available only to guests of Ocean House.

Originally built by the Purdy Boat Company in May of 1937 for Wall Street financier John Hay (Jock) Whitney of Long Island, Aphrodite is best described as a “Commuter Yacht.” Elegant and sleek, the 74-footer would take Whitney on a daily journey down the Long Island Sound to his Wall Street office. Over the years, Aphrodite’s guest list became a “Who’s Who” for summer day cruises, hosting such luminaries as Fred Astaire, Sir Laurence Olivier, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Henry Ford II, FDR advisor Harry Hopkins, Shirley Temple and Nelson Rockefeller. In April 1942 she was commissioned as a Coast Guard auxiliary vessel and spent her war-time career ferrying dignitaries and transporting President Roosevelt to and from his Hyde Park home. In 1983, John Pannell, owner of the Harbor View Marine repair company, restored the yacht which had fallen into disrepair. He relaunched the Aphrodite in 1984. 

The historic and restored Aphrodite

In 2003, Pannell sold Aphrodite to her present owner, Charles Royce, the owner and proprietor of Ocean House. A classic boat enthusiast, Royce began a complete restoration of the yacht to bring her systems up to today’s standards while using the original boat as a template to ensure its authenticity. True to Royce’s nature, and aligned with how he approached Ocean House’s careful restoration in 2004, the first stage of the project was to extensively catalog all aspects of the boat for later reference. Once this historical documentation was completed, reconstruction began with the replacement of the original backbone, stem, floors and the reframing of Aphrodite’s signature torpedo stern. Once the framing work was completed, the hull was then re-planked, as originally built, with two layers of Philippine mahogany and copper rivets. A new deck, along with the crafting of Aphrodite’s distinctive cabin and interior accommodations, was then finalized, and in October of 2005, Aphrodite traveled to its new home in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

The Aphrodite can also be reserved separately by hotel guests for leisurely sailing discoveries in and around the area. Whether venturing out for a scenic excursion to Fisher Island or Montauk, being dropped off on Block Island with a picnic lunch for an afternoon of exploration, or embarking on a sunset cocktail cruise to enjoy a gourmet dinner in nearby Stonington, a selection of two to three hour curated journeys at sea awaits. 

The package and yacht sailings are offered August 1 through October 31, 2024, The package is priced at $42,000.00 plus taxes and fees, and the individual yacht sailings are priced from $5,000. For information and reservations for the package, please call 401-584-7000 and visit Ocean House Special Offers. 

Photos courtesy of Ocean House