Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Ocean House originally opened in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1868, after the Civil War, but the iconic hotel eventually fell into disrepair and was torn down in 2003. It was rebuilt in 2004, and although the building looks the same — all 247 windows are even in the same locations as the originals — it went from 159 rooms to 49 rooms and 18 suites, all lavishly appointed.
Upon arrival, each guest will find a fully stocked beach bag in their room to use on the resort’s private 650-foot white-sand beach, where they can order food and drinks or reserve a private cabana.
On the resort’s 13 acres, guests can take croquet lessons on the croquet lawn, enjoy s’mores at the fire pit or a traditional lobster boil on the beach. The Center for Wine and Culinary Arts at Ocean House offers complimentary wine, cocktail-making and cooking classes.
The resort’s wide-ranging partnerships provide an array of opportunities for guests, said Christine Smith, director of luxury sales and strategic partnerships. Through its Mercedes-Benz program, guests can take one of nine Mercedes convertibles out for a day of sightseeing and leisure driving. In the new Secret Garden overlooking the beach, guests can enjoy a pairing of Veuve Clicquot’s new champagne, Rich, with a high-end hot dog. Groups can also take a coffee-making class using De’Longhi equipment.
Edinburgh, Scotland
The Belmond railway company may be best known for the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, one of the most luxurious and most exclusive trains in the world that has been running between London and Venice since 1982. But the company’s Royal Scotsman train is just as luxurious, although it provides a different experience as it clacks around the Scottish countryside.
The mahogany-clad cabins evoke a time gone by, much like spending the evening in a candle-lit Edwardian library, as warm as the tweed and wool furnishings. The train has 10 carriages, including one that houses Bamford Spa, and together they create the feel of an elegant Scottish baron’s lodge on wheels. Every trip includes all meals and beverages, including alcohol, and 24-hour steward service.
The train offers a variety of itineraries, most of which depart from and return to Edinburgh. During Scotland’s Classic Splendours departure, guests can visit Eilean Donan Castle and Ballindalloch Castle, tour Glamis Castle and its gardens, and visit Rothiemurchus Estate, where they can take a leisurely walk or a ranger-led tour, go clay shooting or try archery, tackle a treetop adventure course or take a Segway outing.
For the Royal Scotsman’s Scotch Malt Whisky Trail departure, Belmond partnered with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society to offer a private tasting at its headquarters and a one-year membership. The trip also includes private tours of the Glenlivet, Glen Ord and Tullibardine distilleries and an onboard whisky ambassador to lead tastings.
