Lark Hotels, a boutique hotel management company, has purchased The Surf Hotel and has rechristened it The Block Island Beach House.
A statement about the purchase from Lark Hotels Chief Executive Officer Rob Blood was provided to The Block Island Times on Thursday, Feb. 7:
“Seven years ago on my first trip to Block Island, I walked by the Surf Hotel and fell in love. This past week, we closed the purchase of the Surf Hotel and the Gables Inn. We are incredibly fortunate to be the next stewards of these properties and to carry on the legacy of hospitality of the Cyr family. The Surf is, no doubt, one of the most iconic beach hotels on the East Coast. By combining these two properties into one, our hope is that we will create an experience for multi-generational travel. The Surf is currently undergoing an extensive renovation that will result in 31 casual guest rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and renewed dining options. When the renovation is complete, it will reopen as the Block Island Beach House. For us, the new name respects the heritage of the properties but also speaks directly to the experience we want to provide. The Beach House will be a place to kick off your shoes and enjoy time with family and friends, a base from which to explore the island. Our hope is that people come back year after year and make it part of their family memories, like a beach house that is passed down from generation to generation and is woven into he fabric of family tradition. Phase two of the project, which includes the renovation of the Gables and the Surfside Inn, will begin after the summer season ends. We look forward to sharing more plans with the community as they are developed.”
The Surf, which overlooks Crescent Beach, opened for business in 1876 as a seasonal hotel.
