WatersEdge History
Water’s Edge Resort & Spa
A BRIEF HISTORY
Welcome to Connecticut’s only premiere timeshare resort with beachfront property located directly on beautiful Long Island Sound.
At its start in 1946, Water’s Edge was a hotel called Bill Hahn’s, after its founder. Bill Hahn was well known for his love of people and his appetite for fun, to many, the perfect definition of an Innkeeper.
For over three decades Bill Hahn tried to provide a casual, friendly and family-like atmosphere. Bill Hahn’s was known as a place to unwind and be entertained. The hotel Dining Room became a ‘Broadway’ stage with many not-yet-famous entertainers appearing regularly: Woody Allen, Art Carney, Barbara Streisand, to name but a few. In his lifetime, Bill Hahn became the single largest contributor to the American Cancer Society in Connecticut State, also helping with many fundraisers.
In 1979 Bill Hahn passed away, but the Inn stayed in business, his sister took over the responsibilities. In 1983 she sold the hotel to the current owner who renamed it.
Water’s Edge Resort & Spa was further developed to deeded interval vacation weeks as part of a vacation resort (timeshare weeks). It also operates as a full service hotel and corporate conference center. In August of 2001 we were proud to be chosen as the host to the New England & Canadian Premiere Governor’s Conference where many legislative environmental issues were proposed, discussed and signed.
We’re the place to be for those special family functions, parties or our famous chosen #1 in the state brunches and of course weddings. Again in 2001 we were host to the wedding and reception of the Princess of Afghanistan to a local Connecticut resident and Yale student. They met at Yale and fell in love.
The Hotel’s newer addition was opened in April of 1999. It included an additional 63 hotel rooms, conference centers and a larger ballroom. Currently rentals are: 82 main hotel rooms, 12 parlor rooms in the Library, 68 timeshare units, 2 house rentals and 2 apartment rentals. Renovations and upgrading are ongoing in the Resort, as well as the upkeep of the beautiful perennials and seasonal plantings throughout the grounds, which annually make the cover of the Westbrook’s Events Magazine. In the spring of 2005, The Shops at Water’s Edge opened. They are conveniently located at the front of the property.
*Vacation Membership Information*
Water’s Edge Resort is a classic turn of the century New England Shoreline estate located in Long Island Sound in Connecticut. Water’s Edge is within a two hours drive from New York City and Boston. Our vacation club members have year round use of all resort facilities in addition to a week’s residence on property.
