If you’re looking for a getaway that feels like a world unto itself, The Preserve Sporting Club and Resort in Rhode Island should be at the top of your list. Tucked away on 3,500 pristine acres, this destination redefines luxury by blending upscale accommodations with rugged outdoor adventure in a way that feels completely natural.
It’s a resort unlike ones I’m used to, as it has so much open space and such a variety of activities that are enough to keep anyone happy and busy for far longer than we visited. It’s part club with members and part resort with guests there for short and longer term stays, which creates an interesting dynamic.
And the Hobbit Houses? Well, that may have been part of what first drew my attention to this unique getaway destination.
I enjoyed a complimentary two-night stay at The Preserve with a friend of mine as background for this article. We only scratched the surface of what was available, as there is so very much on tap there.
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Learn more about The Preserve
What Is The Preserve?
Located in Richmond, Rhode Island, The Preserve Sporting Club and Resort is a massive 3,500-acre property that feels miles away from civilization. It’s a unique hybrid model that’s part private sporting club for members and part luxury resort for overnight guests.
The resort opened in 2018, and it retains carefully preserved landscapes that immerse you in nature. One of the first things you realize upon arrival is how seamless everything is.
You park your car, forget about it for the duration of your stay, and simply call a golf cart whenever you need to zip around the resort. It sets the tone for a truly stress-free escape where you don’t have to worry about driving or directions.
The founder of The Preserve takes the University of Rhode Island mascot of the ram to heart with this resort. There are rams on property, the logo incorporates one, and even the pool is shaped like a ram’s head.
Accommodations for Every Group Size
The resort has a variety of room types aimed at families and groups. Every option is high-end with top-notch finishes that make you feel right at home.
We stayed at the Hilltop Lodge and Spa, which has 24 suites designed for families with children 17 and older. Our room was incredibly spacious and included a full kitchen with complimentary drinks and snacks.
The suites are generally smartly designed with bedrooms away from each other and common areas in the center for increased privacy. The balcony offered gorgeous views and was a great place to relax in the morning with coffee or in the evening playing games.
But they have options for everyone. You can stay in Tiny Homes, which sleep from 3 to 6 people and range in size from 400 to 1200 square feet.
The Laurel Ridge homes are great for families and larger groups, as they sleep anywhere from 5 to 11 people, depending on the accommodation. Then there are the Townhomes on the Green, which are two or three bedrooms, making them perfect for couples or families.
The kitchens in all units have the equipment you need to cook if you prefer to make your own meals. If you’re coming from further away, you can even arrange to have the kitchen stocked in advance so you don’t have to worry about grocery shopping.
We saw a lot of families visiting, as well as a couple of bachelorette parties, so it definitely attracts a variety of guests. That said, it did not feel busy or crowded at all.
The Hobbit House Experience
The absolute highlight of my trip was undoubtedly the Hobbit House dinner. Yes, you read that right. They have adorable, authentic-looking hobbit houses built right into the hillside that look like they came straight out of the Shire.
It was an absolute treat of a unique experience, and it’s something I’ve never seen offered anywhere else. The lunches and dinners are designed for groups of four, six, or eight people, and you will walk out of there stuffed.
We enjoyed a multi-course meal where each one was paired with a different Maker’s Mark bourbon. That’s just one of many partnerships The Preserve has with various brands (including Le Creuset, something each dish was cooked and served in).
The setting inside the house is cozy and intimate, perfect for a small group or a romantic evening where you want something truly memorable. The inside is as gorgeous as the outside, and if you don’t want a full meal there, you can also book it for a photo shoot.
Afterward, the experience continued outside at a private fire pit. They provided a s’mores kit, and sitting there under the stars with a marshmallow roasting was the perfect, relaxing end to the meal.
Or Enjoy Your Meals at Double Barrel Steak
For our other meals, we headed to the Double Barrel Steak restaurant, the main on-site dining venue. You’ll find both indoor and outdoor seating depending on the weather, and the menu is extensive enough to please any palate.
First, trust me when I say that you absolutely have to order the clothesline bacon. I know bacon is great on its own, but they take it up a notch by searing it at the table and serving it hanging on a little line with pickles and lemon.
You use the included scissors to slice off a chunk, and I was a little skeptical at first, but adding a bit of pickle and a squeeze of lemon changes everything. I’ve never seen anything like it before, and I want it again.
The rest of the menu is just as delicious. I loved the hot honey salmon, which had the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and my friend raved about the steak frites.
The portions are huge, so plan to bring leftovers back to your room, especially if you plan to order dessert. Either way, you definitely won’t leave hungry.
David Burkes is the chef at the restaurant, a coup for the resort. The bar staff is just as talented, and the cocktails they developed are a pair well with the menu offerings.
Breakfast at Double Barrel was just as good, featuring classics done well. I had the Preserve breakfast sandwich that was more than filling, and even the poached eggs with potatoes were perfectly made.
My only regret is that I didn’t save room to try their griddled blueberry muffins, which are made fresh daily and looked amazing. If you prefer to dine in, you can also order room service from 8am to 9pm with a smaller menu.
Casual Bites by the Pool
For a more relaxed vibe during the summer, the H2O Cafe at the pool is the place to be. They have sandwiches, snacks, and ice cream available.
Points for not having to leave the pool when you get hungry. It’s perfect for those days when you just want to lounge in the sun and not worry about changing for a sit-down meal.
Adventures for Everyone, From Archery to Hiking
There is no shortage of things to do here, and we tried to pack in as much as we could. We barely scratched the surface during our visit, and it would take at least a weeklong stay to experience it all.
Of course the resort has to include a pool. The pool has gated access and includes a jacuzzi and a fountain feature for those who want to get wet and comfy lounge chairs for those who do not.
We signed up for an archery lesson, which was surprisingly fun. The instructor was great and really helped increase our accuracy as we gradually moved further from the targets and went from aiming at bullseye targets to foam turkeys.
It’s very kid-friendly, too. We saw a family with younger kids having a blast right after us. They even have different bows and arrows for kids and adults, including Nerf archery for those 10 and under, so everyone can participate safely.
For those looking for something more active, we went on a guided hike. It was strenuous but fun, and our guide did a fantastic job explaining the forest and landscape as we climbed.
You cannot go on a hike without a guide, for a number of reasons – and getting lost on this massive property is just one! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, talking about what we were seeing and educating us about the forest.
When you check in, they provide a daily activity guide, so you know your options and the times for each day. There are some activities included, but many have an additional fee.
You can choose from things as simple as classic board games and cocoa to the Preserve hike we did or as unique as a horse grooming and bonding experience or a community fire pit and s’mores night.
The Front Yard has activities for guests all day long. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis for the pickleball, shuffleboard, volleyball, bocce ball, and basketball courts to keep you entertained.
Equestrian Excellence
If you are into horses, you simply have to visit the equestrian center and probably for more than the grooming and bonding activity. It’s about a ten-minute drive away from the main resort, and when available, they provide transportation for you in their Bentleys (yep, another partnership), which is an experience in itself.
The horses are incredibly well taken care of with plenty of pasture space and workers who clearly care deeply for them. They have different horses and breeds used for each activity.
There are activities aimed at kids like meeting a pony, and others aimed at adults or families. You can sign up for trail rides; buggy, carriage, or wagon rides; or traditional riding lessons.
More Sporting Activities
While I am not a golfer and didn’t golf, the course there is challenging and gorgeous. It’s the only golf course that’s part of a resort in Rhode Island, and we saw some of it while taking a tour of the property.
The resort also offers ziplines, rock climbing, and catch-and-release fly fishing. For water lovers, go kayaking or canoeing at the Wood River Pawcatuk Watershed for a three-hour experience.
In the winter, they offer snowshoeing, and there are plenty of hunting activities year-round. The Preserve is a four-season resort, and this is just a fraction of what you can enjoy there.
Relaxation and Pampering at the Spa
After all that activity, the spa is a must-visit. Though we didn’t get any treatments, we had a day pass where we were enjoyed the private infinity pool and relaxed.
We enjoyed the quiet luxury, especially when they brought us chocolate-covered strawberries and glasses of champagne. The 12,000 square foot spa is adults only, which adds to the peace as we spent time in the heated whirlpools and cold plunge pool, as well.
The Preserve also has a gorgeous private spa hut on the property where you can book treatments, with a focus on couples’ massages. It’s tucked away and feels very private, perfect for a romantic afternoon.
A World Away Right In Rhode Island
If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury getaway with unique offerings you won’t find elsewhere, The Preserve truly offers something for everyone. It manages to balance the exclusivity of a private club with the welcoming atmosphere of a family resort.
It’s rare to find a place that feels so secluded and wild yet offers such high-end comfort and service. I left feeling recharged and would love a return trip to tackle the rest of that extensive activity list.
