A garden of earthly delights in Rhode Island

Between the main and carriage houses is a pool whose liner creates the effect of deep blue mosaic tile. Around the pool are wrought-iron tables with market-style umbrellas, cushioned chairs and lounges, and white urns spilling pink and blue flowers, with tall, spiky foliage in the center. A hexagonal hot tub in one corner of the patio is bordered by exotic potted plants, including banana, pineapple, and aloe.

It's obvious the innkeepers take great care with the landscaping. Every nook and cranny of the property is brightened with flowering plants, some 50 containers in all, Barbara said. Plantings of impatiens, fuchsias, and hibiscus have been designed to look undesigned. At night, low lamps illuminate walkways, and tiny white lights drape the shrubbery.

In the pool area, every need has been anticipated: Towels, air mattresses, and foam noodles are available, as are suntan lotions of varying degrees, insect repellent, and small packets of tissues. The guest refrigerator by the pool stocks complimentary water, soda, and beer. The pool is heated to 80 degrees and the hot tub to at least 100, Michael told us. The pool stays open until Nov. 1, weather permitting. The hot tub is open year round.

Our room in the main house, La Sala di Roma, was a second-floor corner room with five deep windows. Trees planted close to the house provided privacy and shade, though we also had a window air conditioner. Decorated in soft blue and white, the large room had a queen bed with a white wicker headboard, a loveseat, small round table and two chairs, and a big closet with an iron, ironing board, and plush robes. A kitchenette in the corner featured a sink, microwave, coffeemaker and coffee, and a small refrigerator, along with stemware and a corkscrew. There was a television with a VCR; guests can choose from a good selection of movies in the foyer, along with complimentary microwave popcorn.

The bathroom had a generously sized shower stall, a double Jacuzzi in a mirrored enclosure, a hair dryer, plush Egyptian cotton towels, and an illuminated magnifying mirror that allowed me to do an amazing job on my eye makeup. (At breakfast we saw a couple buying one of the mirrors from Barbara.)