Inside the Rhode Island Resort With 3,500 Acres, Bentley Off-Roading, and Its Very Own Bourbon

At The Preserve, seclusion is the point

As my group’s vehicle wound through the resort grounds, the noise of everyday life seemed to fade with every turn. Secluded lodges and activity hubs are carefully dispersed across the property. Sounds of rustling leaves and distant wildlife amplify the property’s sense of space and privacy. Even during our resort tour, what struck me most was how often we found ourselves alone, surrounded only by nature. Scents of cedar filled the air, sporting clays echoed in the distance, and by evening, a cozy fireplace invited us to sit with a glass of wine in hand.

Accommodations at The Preserve range from secluded residences and cabins to lodge-style suites, and the grounds ensure guests never feel crowded. In my Hilltop Lodge suite, large windows opened to stretching views of the forest, with little sign of another guest in sight. The combination of natural light, quiet surroundings, plush bedding, and heated bathroom floors encouraged me to slow down and take it all in. Each morning, I would wake up just before dawn and watch the sun illuminate the treetops from my window, then head downstairs to the infinity pool, which felt like an extension of the view.

From dry-aged steaks, to scotch and cigars, to dining in a Hobbit House

Dining is a big deal at The Preserve, which has several venues across the property ranging from casual to elevated. Dry-aged steaks feature prominently at Double Barrel Steak in the Main Lodge, while wellness-focused fare is on the menu at White Birch Cafe in the Hilltop Spa. Poolside, H2O Cafe serves seasonal bites, and at the Safari Tent, scotch and cigar experiences cater to both the curious and the connoisseur.

Of all the meals I enjoyed during my stay, dinner at The Hobbit House stole the show. Steps from the Hilltop Lodge, this intimate dining experience felt as if I was transported from the pages of a fantasy novel. I approached the round wooden door set into stone walls and entered wide-eyed with my mouth wide open. Inside, flickering candlelight and exposed stone added a touch of fantasy to our communal refectory table.

The four-course meal that followed always includes a house-curated charcuterie board, hearty proteins, and seasonal sweets, all paired with bold bourbons. That includes Maker’s Mark Private Selection: Preserve Reserve, which is made exclusively for The Preserve. The Maker’s Mark-braised short ribs I had at The Hobbit House were melt-in-my-mouth delicious, though the star dish was the pheasant pot pie: rich, flaky, and comforting.

A “skillcation” where every activity comes with an expert

At the Preserve Sporting Club & Resort, travel is reframed as a “skillcation,” a concept that invites guests to try new activities, learn practical skills, and immerse themselves in new hobbies. Whether that’s mastering a sporting clays stance or learning the nuances of fly fishing, The Preserve allows guests to progress at their own pace with the peace of mind that they’re being led by expert instructors and specialists in their fields. That includes getting behind the wheel of a Bentley Bentayga and off-roading on a private track — the only course of its kind in the country, according to The Preserve.

While zip-lining is a favorite activity of mine, I’m always a nervous wreck before getting strapped into my harness. But thanks to my calm and reassuring instructor, the thought of launching upwards of 25 miles per hour across a 250-foot elevation drop both got my heart pumping and put me at ease. From there, I was able to keep my eyes up and absorb the sweeping views of dense forest, winding dirt trails, and the sunlit gaps between the trees.

Beyond sports and thrills, the resort also integrates wellness and leisure into its offerings, with access to fitness classes, yoga, swimming, tennis, and spa experiences. For the ultimate reset, The Hilltop Spa has packages like the Opulent Odyssey, which combines a full-body scrub, steam and rain shower rinse, 60-minute massage, and mani-pedi over the course of four hours. Even unstructured moments at The Preserve can feel meditative, with evenings often beginning and ending at the resort’s outdoor gathering spaces to watch the constellation-filled sky look especially vivid far from city lights.

Beyond The Preserve: Things to do, eat, and drink in Newport and nearby

Sail Newport

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“Jim, you’re driving us toward the lighthouse,” Captain Matthew told me. “You’ll be fine; I’m here every step of the way.” Under his calm and experienced guidance, I took the helm and quickly gained confidence. It’s there that I realized that there’s no better way to understand Newport’s soul than from the water. Gliding across Narragansett Bay past Gilded Age mansions and rugged coastline, what starts as an intimidating excursion turns into an exhilarating way to experience Rhode Island’s maritime spirit.

Sail Newport is a nonprofit sailing center at Fort Adams State Park with instructional programs for all skill and age levels, running May through early November. Beginners can book structured lessons; experienced sailors can rent boats after passing an on-the-water skills test or participating in an hourlong “refresher” sail as needed.

Sail Newport: 60 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840

Blackstone Valley

I met Ernie from the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor for a peaceful one-mile hike through the Blackstone Valley, where he pointed out both the Cumberland Monastery and Nine Men’s Misery memorial, a stone cairn erected in 1676 over the graves of nine colonial militiamen killed by Narragansett warriors during King Philip’s War that’s believed to be the oldest war memorial in the country.

All 12 trails within the corridor are fairly easy, with gentle elevation changes that make for a calm walk in the woods at any fitness level. The Monk’s Quarry Trail stands out for its moss-covered stone walls, scattered quarry remains, and rock cuts carved decades ago. Fall is an ideal time to visit when the foliage elevates your walk in the park.



Blackstone Heritage Corridor:
1464 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI 02864

Newport Vineyards

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Spread across 100 acres of historically preserved farmland in Middletown, Newport Vineyards has been growing estate grapes since 1995. On-site greenhouses and gardens feed a farm-to-table dining program at the recently opened Farm & Barrel Bistro, while Taproot Brewing Company handles the craft beer side of the operation. For a private option, ask about renting a row: a two-hour curated picnic experience among the vines.

Newport Vineyards:
909 E Main Rd, Middletown, RI 02842

Olympia Tea Room

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In Watch Hill, the Olympia Tea Room has been “famous, not fancy” since 1916, with checkered floorboards, a lively atmosphere, and great grub. Husband-and-wife duo Jack and Marcia Felber oversee a kitchen known for staples like clam chowder and fresh half-shell oysters; their sommelier daughter Georgia amplifies the experience with a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list. The tea room is open seasonally, spring through fall, for lunch and dinner.

Olympia Tea Room:
74 Bay St, Westerly, RI 02891

Kaffeology

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Locally beloved and woman-owned, Kaffeology draws on founder Andreea Marin’s international travels for a menu that runs from artisanal lattes to a full brunch lineup. The orange cardamom latte gave me the boost I craved to start the day, and the hot honey chicken egg benny with smoky chipotle hollandaise on buttered challah bread made me wish brunch never ended. Kaffeology has three Rhode Island locations in Newport, Portsmouth, and Cranston, but the latter is the chain’s first sitdown brunch and dinner concept and the only one with a full bar.

Kaffeology:
48 Hillside Rd, Cranston, RI 02920

Bar‘Cino

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In Newport’s Washington Square, Bar’Cino is part of Newport Restaurant Group — a 100 percent employee-owned hospitality company — and runs an Italian-inspired menu built around sharing: small plates, wood-fired pizzas cut tableside with scissors, and a wine-forward bar program. My standouts included the prosciutto topped with fig and goat cheese, and the oven-roasted chicken sandwich with arugula, pesto, and chicories.

Bar‘Cino:
22 Washington Square, Newport, RI 02840

Getting to The Preserve

To get to The Preserve, I flew into Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Warwick, which is about 15 to 20 minutes south of the capital city, Providence. From there, The Preserve is roughly an hour’s drive south into Richmond. If you’re coming from nearby cities like Boston (1-2 hours away) or New York City (3-4 hours away), Rhode Island is also an easy train ride or road trip. The best way to get around once you’re in the state is by car, but The Preserve operates its own golf cart shuttles on the property, so you can leave yours parked for the duration of your stay.

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