Ocean House Deemed World Class

CENTERBROOK, Conn. – The Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island has been named one of the top 100 hotels in the world by Fodor’s, the travel guide publisher. It was one of only nine properties singled out as “best in class” for being “fun for all ages.” Travel + Leisure magazine also picked it as the fourth best resort hotel in the United States and the 59th overall in the world.

Designed by Centerbrook, the replicated Ocean House – with 49 rooms and 23 private residences, all with spectacular ocean views – reopened in 2010. Centerbrook, led by Partner Jefferson B. Riley, FAIA, designed the new structure based on the early 20th century core of the original shoreline landmark, while adding some modern architectural strivings and myriad amenities.

Fodor's Travel team of 700 global contributors nominated 4,000 hotels from the 17,000 properties they review annually. The winners were chosen by Fodor's senior editorial team. Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards described the Ocean House as “Redone … the property is as grand as ever: expansive decks and manicured croquet lawns are a nod to old-world glamour, while the light-filled 49 guest rooms and 22 private villas have modern bathrooms (oversize soaking tubs; marble tiles) and custom-made dark wood furnishings.”

These accolades were only the most recent for the Ocean House. Praising its architecture and ambiance, the international travel publisher and reviewer Andrew Harper named it as a 2012 Grand Award Winner, one of two properties in North America to be so recognized. The hotel also was named among “the best of the best” by AAA, which rated it one of its 2012 Five Diamond Award winners. What’s more, the stately building is back in the movies again, making a cameo appearance in the recent film “Moonrise Kingdom” starring Bruce Willis. The original Ocean House had appeared in a silent movie in 1918 staring Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.

Centerbrook has received four design awards for the Ocean House, including an Interiors Award from Contract Magazine and a Design Award from the American Institute of Architects, Rhode Island Chapter.