Stunning Historic Estate Private Beach, Tennis Court Near Newport & Narragansett

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Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

11 bedrooms8+ bathroomsSleeps 181114.8 sq m

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Parking available
Fireplace
Barbecue grill
Kitchen

Explore the area

Saunderstown, RI

Warzone Paintball & Airsoft Park
‪7 min drive‬
Bonnet Shores Beach
‪17 min drive‬
Narragansett Beach
‪21 min drive‬
North Kingstown, RI (NCO-Quonset State)
‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

11 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 6

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 7

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 8

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 9

1 Single Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 10

4 Single Beds

Bedroom 11

2 Single Beds

8 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 6

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 7

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 8

Toilet

Bathroom 9

Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Outdoor shower

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

About this property

Stunning Historic Estate with Private Beach, Tennis Court, and Unmatched Serenity Near Newport & Narragansett
Step into a world of timeless elegance and modern luxury at this breathtaking waterfront estate, the former summer home of famed author Owen Wister, writer of The Virginian. Perfect for multi-generational family vacations, this National Register 12,000-square-foot gem offers space, comfort, and unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.
Nestled on 25 private, pristine acres overlooking Narragansett Bay, this estate features a wealth of exclusive amenities: a private beach ideal for sunbathing or paddleboarding, a professionally maintained tennis court, a croquet lawn for leisurely afternoons, ping pong and spectacular gardens designed for exploration and relaxation.
Indulge in the convenience of this fully equipped estate, featuring two gourmet kitchens, three dishwashers, and dual laundry facilities to cater seamlessly to large gatherings. With the option for local grocery delivery right to your doorstep, you'll have more time to savor the estate's tranquil atmosphere without ever needing to leave.
Highlights of Your Stay:
• Ultimate Privacy: Enjoy 25 lush acres of scenic beauty with direct access to Narragansett Bay.
• Activities Abound: Tennis, croquet, and endless beachside adventures await on the property.
• Effortless Luxury: Two fully appointed kitchens, spacious living areas, and thoughtful amenities for all ages.
• Prime Location: A serene haven only 10 minutes from the vibrant coastal attractions of Newport and Narragansett’s world-class beaches.
Past guests have shared glowing reviews, celebrating unforgettable family reunions and perfect getaways:
• “The best vacation house we’ve ever rented!”
• “Beautiful grounds and an amazing home.”
• “The perfect setting for building lasting family memories.”
Discover unparalleled comfort, breathtaking views, and a rich history brought to life in this one-of-a-kind estate. Reserve your dream vacation and create memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Please note: For specific cancellation details, contact the property owner directly as our policy differs from VRBO's standard terms.

Property manager

Alice Stokes

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Parking available

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Kitchen
Washer
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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 30

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Heaven for children!!!

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

There is no smoking permitted inside the house. The furniture inside the house is not to be moved.

Full refund on payments only up to 120 days before check in. Otherwise 50% of refund up to 90 days before check in. No refund after 90 days.

Security Deposit will be fully refunded in all instances if necessary to cancel the reservation. Cleaning fee of $700 paid at check in.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

Property Registration Number 11/01/2025, RE.00770-STR, RE.00770-STR

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Saunderstown

Located in Saunderstown, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Shoppers can check out Thames Street, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Narragansett Beach and Cliff Walk. Travelling with kids? Consider Warzone Paintball & Airsoft Park, or check out an event or a game at Ryan Center. Waterskiing and windsurfing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and horse riding nearby.

Saunderstown, RI

What's nearby

Wickford Harbor - 7 min drive - 6.2 km
Warzone Paintball & Airsoft Park - 7 min drive - 6.6 km
University of Rhode Island - 16 min drive - 14.8 km
Bonnet Shores Beach - 17 min drive - 10.2 km
Narragansett Beach - 21 min drive - 14.8 km

Getting around

Newport Ferry Station - 19 min drive
North Kingstown, RI (NCO-Quonset State) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

‪Carriage Inn & Saloon - ‬6 min drive
‪Rome Point Cafe - ‬3 min drive
‪Fuel Coffee Bar - ‬8 min drive
‪Coffee N' Bagel Connection - ‬6 min drive
‪Plum Point Bistro - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Stunning Historic Estate Private Beach, Tennis Court Near Newport & Narragansett pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Stunning Historic Estate Private Beach, Tennis Court Near Newport & Narragansett?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Stunning Historic Estate Private Beach, Tennis Court Near Newport & Narragansett?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Stunning Historic Estate Private Beach, Tennis Court Near Newport & Narragansett located?

This Saunderstown holiday home is on the beach, 2 mi (3.2 km) from Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum, and within 6 mi (10 km) of North Kingston Town Beach and Wickford Harbor. Jamestown and Newport Ferry and Warzone Paintball & Airsoft Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

10/10

Location

8.4/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Patricia H.

22 July 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Wister House is wonderful!

Our family took full advantage of all the amenities of the house...games,indoor & out,private beach more than adequate cooking facilities. The only downside was the lack of air conditioning & it was a very hot week. Thankfully there were many fans & windows to open. The house is beautiful & we enjoyed being there.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard C.

5 September 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location

Pristine Home

The home was in pristine shape. Very clean. A very comfortable home in which to spend a week. Ideal home for large family gathering. The beach had no waves, making it perfect for young children. A children's room with plenty of toys enthralled the young children. The property owner put soap and shampoo in every bath/shower.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

John M.

27 August 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Wonderful Week with our Family of 17

The house is indeed historic with beautiful gardens and a fabulous view to boot. The online photos were accurate. Everyone was comfortable. There was plenty to do from tennis to croquet to napping in the hammock. We had a chef prepare dinners all week. That made dinner time extra enjoyable. We challenged our family to present an interesting thing about the namesake of the room they were assigned. They all did a great, imaginative job. Wow, was it fun!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Philip K.

30 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Historic Gem; Great Family Vacation Rental

My extended family (ages 15 through 85) rented this wonderful house for a week. It has a very large kitchen and dining room suitable for large family gatherings. The house also boasts a large living room, large study/game room, and a library. All are full of interesting books, furniture, games and family heirlooms. The property is extensive and includes a tennis court, ping pong table, croquet and a path leading to the bay. (Bring sandals that you can wear while swimming because the beach has many shells and small rocks.) The owner is a gracious host and a pleasure to interact with. There is much to do in the area too.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joan B.

16 August 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved our stay

The property is magical! There was so much to do, we hardly left the property.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

veronique s.

28 September 2018

A beautiful and impressive landmark, very comfortable for 18 people of all ages

The photographs do not do this historical house justice. The furniture, books, and historic objects of the author who built the house, as well as the ancestors who were signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution create a beautiful and magical atmosphere. The house was ingeniously designed to bring 18 to 21 people together very comfortably, with plenty of space for everyone. There are spaces all over in which everyone can gather together as a group for dining, talking, and engaging in various sports, as well as more spaces for gatherings of smaller groups. It is dignified, but not cold. It is appealing, sunny, and cozy. The numerous serious tennis players in our group found the tennis court excellent; everyone played some tennis just about every day. The house is hidden in a beautiful, quiet pocket, with its own private beach, yet it is close to Newport and the major beaches of southern Rhode Island. And somehow the grocery stores know how to find the house to make deliveries. We chose to spend most of our time at the house because there was so much to do in it.

Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen M.

2 January 2018

Incredible, fun, relaxing, beautiful, historic

Our family of 18, ranging in age from 2yrs to 67yrs, spent a wonderful week at Wister House. From the spacious, incredible house to the magnificent, extremely large grounds, this was a fantastic vacation property. The walk to the private beach was fun, and adventurous. Some really enjoyed exploring the property, following the paths, spending time at the revolutionary war cemetery, and just being lazy in the hammock. A favorite for the 5yr old was the swing hanging from a tree near the porch, the first thing she did when she got up in the morning was rush downstairs, out the door, and onto the swing. One of our favorite things was the very large dining room with a table that seated 12, and another table that seated all the kids. We could all eat together, and in the evening it was a great place to play board games. There are great places to just sit and read a book, or spend time together playing games, running around outside, a play structure for the kids, a tennis court, a croquet lawn, and we had plenty of lawn for our family vacation corn hole game tournaments. The house is perfect if you want a little time to yourself, or if you want to join in fun and games with others. I would highly recommend a vacation at Wister House, it has something for everyone. Alice is a wonderful person, she explained everything we needed to know, walked with us to the beach to show the way, and told us the history of the house and property. We had a wonderful time, and the only thing someone might need is more time for more exploring. Thank you Alice for sharing this treasure. The McHugh family

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

ANDREW M., Fairfield CT

30 December 2016

Well-maintained family friendly private property

Our family of 16 had an amazing, memorable and happy time. Our children loved played with the toys provided as well as the jungle gym and enormous lawn and field for soccer, baseball, slip and slide etc. And the adults loved escaping to Newport! This historic home is close to so many summer activities. A terrific time by all. We can't wait to return to this special home and to the RI shore.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andrew M.

20 January 2013

One of a kind, historic, family summer home in RI

My family selected "Wister House" for a large family reunion in August that included grandchildren, aunts, uncles, parents, totally 16 in all. We were thrilled with the home. It has a lovely view of Jamestown and the Narragansett Bay, tennis court, swing set, croquet, large front and side lawns plus access to a private beach, so plenty of options for activity. Of course, many of us relaxed in the library, front room, spacious patio or elsewhere with a book or newspaper! The owners were gracious, knowledgeable and so helpful getting us oriented with the area and their special home (National Register of Historic Places--summer home of novelist Owen Wister built in the early 1900s). Architecture, literature and/or history buffs will love exploring and admiring "Wister House" too. Lastly, this grand home has wonderful privacy but also terrific proximity to Newport, Wickford and Providence (nearby airport TF Green). A day trip to Block Island and/or Watch Hill can be easily accomplished.

About the host

Hosted by Alice Stokes

Why they chose this property

This property was built by Owen Wister as his summer home. We are currently the third generation of his family to live here in the summer. Being fifteen minutes from Newport with its many tourist attractions, mansions, Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum, Art Museum and proximity to Providence and its museums, restaurants and magical Water Fire nights coupled with superb fine sandy beaches and every imaginable water sport continue to captivate our family. The fourth generation is equally enamored with Wister House.

What makes this property unique

Sitting on our terrace with the view of Narragansett Bay in the distance is peaceful and bucolic. You can watch your children frolic on the acres of lawn playing soccer, badminton, tag, toy car racing, or blowing bubbles. Some of us enjoy playing American Six Wicket croquet on lawn with authentic 100 year old iron wickets.
The young children are all captivated by our costume trunk.They put on shows for all to relish. Toddlers adore the child's kitchen where there is a toy kitchen, cabinets filled with toys and books.The large panelled dining room is the family gathering place at the end of the day for leisurely dinners sparkling, long, lively conversations often lasting many hours.
The terrace table is a peaceful place to have a breakfast on a warm summer morning while overlooking Narragansett Bay.
The convenience of our all weather tennis court is a serious attraction and affords hours of good play and healthy competition. Badminton net and racquets also available.

Languages:

English

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Stunning Historic Estate Private Beach, Tennis Court Near Newport & Narragansett

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

11 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Bedroom 5

Bedroom 6

Bedroom 7

Bedroom 8

Bedroom 9

Bedroom 10

Bedroom 11

8 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Bathroom 6

Bathroom 7

Bathroom 8

Bathroom 9

Spaces

About this property