Our Story

The roadside motor lodges became extremely popular when automobiles became accessible to many folks. However, when highways were built for faster and more direct means of travel, the motor court often went empty as the chain motels were built along the highways.  Many motor courts were able to co-exist and stay in business due to location or being in a tourist area.  Sunset Cabins was one that endured through many changes in the transportation history and became a vision of what it has now become.

Friends since the 80’s, Eric and Cris Offenberg together with Kevin and Krissy Coristine have combined all their “super” powers from our separate 30-year long careers and deep involvement in the local community into this new venture we foresee as our future retirement career.  Between us we have 6 children in the local area and have common friends and interests.  Through the years, both the  Offenberg’s and Coristine’s have been involved in Real Estate investing, house flips and rentals; short term; long term and vacation homes as side projects. Being in the real estate business, we have all had tenants and guests, family and friends staying in the homes we own and rent and found the WVC venture was a natural fit in our life plan.  We all really enjoy and have an affinity for making others feel comfy when they are on vacation, and showing off the island to visitors, whether on vacation with family, traveling for business or exploring RI from afar.

We all have hosted people, parties, and weddings in our backyards, at our properties, and at area locations and we truly enjoy the feeling of the backyard party.    We want to share this feeling of the backyard celebration and gatherings with our guests who are visiting us in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Late in 2021 this property in Portsmouth came to the attention of the Offenberg’s that was different from what they had considered in the past and posed its challenges. We immediately contacted the Coristine’s  to talk about a partnership as we wanted their expertise and vision for this new opportunity.  After several months working through ideas, plans, designs and the numbers; a plan for the Cottages began to emerge. We purchased what was then known as Twin Lanterns operating mostly as an RV park; and continued our plans and designs to bring the business plan to our lenders.  Late in ’22 we traveled from RI, through MA, NH, VT and NY and navigated this long day trip for the purpose of visiting as many tiny homes as possible, including cabins, cottages, motels and modular homes to get inspiration.  After visiting some manufacturers and glamping sites and cabin parks, and motels; we arrived at the name Weathervane for our project by seeing them mounted on many of New England homes buildings as we got our name from traveling in the many directions typical of the compass on the weathervanes we passed by. Our team was focused on bringing a luxury level of tiny home living on our parcel so the term: Cottages emerged as the perfect name of our tiny homes.  There was born Weathervane Cottages!

Living in a tourist community we see many people passing through, exploring, playing, beaching, sailing and celebrating and we found an opportunity to assist them with our ”Relax, Recline and Recharge” philosophy.  When they enter WVC magic happens: our guests set aside their duties, responsibilities  and worries, relax upon our comfy beds in the sanctuary of their own tiny home and  recline peacefully to sleep the night away with unplugged phones and screens to be recharged for the day ahead.

In 2023 we worked on the business plan, marketing concept, permitting and financing to make our visions a reality.

Our collective knowledge and experiences have made the whole process relatively seamless. With financing in place, we began construction in early 2024 and opened 4 cottages for business in August of ’24. We are opening the  remainder of the facility including the remaining 4 cottages and glamping tents as well as the Bungalow in early 2025.

Has this property always existed as accommodations?

Formerly known as Sunset Cabins in the 1930s and subsequently as Twin Lanterns, Weathervane Cottages boasts over 50 years of providing families in the area with memorable camp life experiences. Throughout its history, Sunset Cabins stood as a symbol of hospitality, welcoming families from near and far to experience the beauty of Aquidneck Island. Generations of visitors fondly recall the warmth and camaraderie found inside the stone walls surrounding the cabins, as well as the countless adventures enjoyed amidst the natural splendor of the flora and landscape.

Did you change the name of the property?

We made the transition to name Weathervane Cottages as it marks a new chapter in the site’s storied history—a continuation of the legacy established by Sunset Cabins and Twin Lanterns which had more of a camp feel to the luxury level of cottages that now exists. While the name may have changed, the spirit of hospitality and commitment to providing a welcoming retreat remains steadfast.

Why did you embark on this venture?

We made the decision to embarks on this new chapter for this property with a sense of reverence for the past and excitement for the future. The legacy of hospitality established by Sunset Cabins in the 1930’s lives on, inspiring future generations to seek solace, adventure, and connection in the tranquil beauty of Newport County.