The Preserve Sporting Club & Resort

The Preserve Sporting Club & Resort in Richmond, United States, a Michelin Key Selected property, is widely recognized as a luxurious, all-season retreat offering an expansive wilderness escape coupled with high-end amenities and exceptional service.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general sentiment for The Preserve Sporting Club & Resort is overwhelmingly positive, often described as a "luxury resort" and a "world-class outdoor adventure" destination. It's lauded for blending rugged outdoor pursuits with refined living, creating an environment that is "equal parts rugged and refined". While specific aggregated guest review scores from Michelin are not yet available ("No verified stays yet" is noted for their quality score), the property is consistently highlighted for its upscale offerings and guest experiences. One review platform indicates a "pleasant" rating with a score of 6.0 from a single review.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of The Preserve:

• Service: The resort is known for its "impeccable white glove service" and a "highly attentive level of service". Staff are noted for their professionalism and willingness to accommodate special requests.
• Location: Spanning 3,500 acres of "pristine wilderness" and "lush Rhode Island landscape," the resort is nestled in a scenic state park with beautiful forests, streams, and ponds. This expansive setting provides a secluded natural environment for guests.
• Design: Accommodations range from "contemporary townhouses to off-grid tiny homes" and "luxurious lodges," all designed with comfort and posh elegance in mind. The Double Barrel Steak restaurant, for instance, features a "rustic yet elegant décor".
• Amenities: The Preserve boasts an extraordinary array of amenities, including an 18-hole golf course, a full-service OH! Spa (featuring an outdoor pool, heated whirlpools, cold plunge shower, sauna, and steam shower), fitness center, equestrian center, tennis and pickleball courts, and the country's longest indoor shooting range. Other activities include archery, fly-fishing, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and even a Bentley Off-Road Experience. Unique dining experiences like the Maker's Mark Hobbit Houses are also a significant draw.

3. Room Quality

The Preserve offers a diverse range of luxurious accommodations designed for comfort and relaxation. Options include:

• Hilltop Lodge suites: These feature a large living room, full kitchen, and often a porch.
• Contemporary townhomes: Available with two or three bedrooms, these typically include full kitchens, steam showers, and high-end finishes.
• Laurel Ridge Homes, Cottages, and Lodges: These stand-alone homes are fully furnished and luxuriously equipped, some sleeping up to 11 people.
• Whitetail Ridge Cabins and Tiny Homes: Ranging from 400 to 1200 square feet, tiny homes can sleep between 3 to 6 guests.

All accommodations are equipped with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and complimentary WiFi. In-room amenities often include luxury Matouk linens, Molton Brown products, and kitchens stocked with complimentary snacks. Many units also feature washers/dryers and pillow-top mattresses. Balconies offering gorgeous views are also a feature in some rooms.

4. Dining Experience

The resort provides several exquisite dining options:

• Double Barrel Steak: This is the signature, fine dining restaurant located in the main clubhouse. It offers a rustic yet elegant setting with American and Steakhouse-inspired cuisine, specializing in high-quality dry-aged steaks (including Wagyu) and fresh seafood. The menu features seasonal dishes, and guests' caught fish or game can even be prepared by the kitchen. The Key Lime Pie has received awards, and the bar is noted for excellent cocktails like the Old-Fashioned.
• Maker's Mark Hobbit Houses: These provide a unique and magical private dining experience in stone cottages, featuring upscale grilled menus paired with fine bourbon.
• H2O Cafe: A seasonal poolside bar and grill, ideal for quick bites, salads, smoothies, and sandwiches.
• White Birch Café: Situated within the Hilltop Lodge and Spa, offering light fare, coffee, snacks, and smoothies throughout the day.
• Safari Tent Tastings: A private scotch and cigar tasting experience offered in finely-appointed luxury tents.
• Breakfast: Generally available, with options for "low-key luxury" breakfast and lunch delivered directly to accommodations.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback highlights the "highly attentive level of service" and "impeccable white glove service" at The Preserve. The staff, including professional equestrian trainers and experienced hiking guides, are noted for being welcoming and capable of accommodating special requests and needs. This commitment to service aims to provide a first-class experience for guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Preserve Sporting Club & Resort is located in Richmond, Rhode Island, an area characterized by its rural setting and 3,500 acres of natural landscape. The property itself is a major draw for outdoor enthusiasts, with extensive nature trails and a wide range of on-site activities.

While offering a secluded feel, the resort is accessible:

• Airport: Approximately 23 to 37 miles from T.F. Green Airport.
• Nearby Attractions: Within reasonable driving distance of attractions such as Towers In Narragansett (16 miles), Mystic Seaport (21 miles), Mystic Aquarium, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and The Breakers Mansion in Newport. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is also mentioned as a local attraction.

7. Value & Pricing

The Preserve Sporting Club & Resort is positioned as a luxury destination, and "nothing at The Preserve comes cheap". Guests can expect pricing reflective of a high-end experience, with rates for some suites observed around US$1,179.91 per night. However, the consensus is that the extensive amenities, personalized service, secluded natural surroundings, and variety of activities justify the cost, providing guests with a "first-class experience".

8. Common Complaints

While general guest sentiment is positive, a significant recurring issue that has emerged concerns legal matters related to the resort's leadership. In 2023, a federal sexual harassment lawsuit was filed by a former top executive against the CEO and founder, Paul Mihailides, alleging repeated sexual harassment and public humiliation. This lawsuit was allowed to proceed by a federal judge in October 2025, with the plaintiff looking forward to telling her story to a jury. These allegations, while not directly related to guest experience with the facilities or staff, represent a serious criticism impacting the company's reputation and operational environment. Beyond this, detailed common guest complaints regarding the amenities or service itself are not prominently featured in the available public reviews, with the Michelin Guide noting a lack of verified stays to form a quality score.

Sources

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