Watch Hill Luxury by the Sea, Iconic 1852 School House, Beside Ocean House Hotel

“Featured in Architectural Digest’s ‘15 Incredible Former Schoolhouses You Can Spend the Night In,’ this historic home is now exclusively available for the first time on VRBO.”

Although "The School House" is brand new to VRBO, guests can book with complete confidence. The property is owned and managed by a host with 17 years of experience renting luxury homes in Rhode Island, including 2 Arrow Wood Trail, a premier VRBO property with over 53 five-star reviews. The "School House" is a high-end home, newly made available on VRBO for the very first time, and this is the only reason reviews are not yet posted. "The School House" is a luxury Watch Hill home, with a proven five-star track record and a property that has already met the strict standards of the Ocean House Cottage Collection.

Step back in time while enjoying every modern comfort at The School House, a historic 1852 school lovingly transformed into a cozy oceanfront bungalow. Located directly beside the iconic Ocean House Hotel, this cottage offers the best of both worlds: the charm of Watch Hill history and the luxury of seaside living—with direct access to a residents’ beach, monitored by security.

Rather than a small condo with limited space, enjoy the comfort of your own intimate coastal yard - a peaceful spot with ocean views, alfresco dining, evening cocktails and a picture-perfect backdrop of the Ocean House Hotel will make you feel right at home.

A Storied Past

Once a classroom for local children and later “Miss Stevenson’s Little Shop” for over 30 years, the cottage was ultimately re-imagined as a private residence. Its heritage lives on through soaring vaulted ceilings and original hand-hewn beams revealed during renovation—blending old-world craftsmanship with an airy, coastal design.

Comfort & Layout

The open-concept plan creates a light-filled space where the living room, kitchen, and dining area flow together beneath dramatic beams and ocean-view windows. French doors lead to a private porch overlooking views to the ocean, while a newly landscaped side yard offers a perfect spot for cocktails, grilling, or dining al fresco against a backdrop of ocean breezes.

2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Sleeps 6

Primary suite with king bed and en-suite bath

Guest room with two twin beds and full bath

Living area with pull-out sofa and fireplace

Amenities

Air conditioning

Full kitchen with Bosch washer/dryer

Private parking for 2 vehicles ONLY, no street parking

Porch with ocean views

Landscaped 40-foot side yard with dining area

Direct access to neighborhood, security-patrolled beach

The Experience

Whether you’re enjoying your morning coffee steps from the sand, savoring a glass of wine on the patio at sunset, or strolling next door for cocktails or dinner at the Ocean House, your stay feels like a private suite within a five-star resort—yet with the privacy and comfort of your own seaside cottage.

The School House is sheer Watch Hill perfection—historic, charming, and just steps from your own private residents’ beach.