So, you’re looking for it. You’ve probably seen the photos—the salt-sprayed shingles, the massive windows looking out over a crashing Atlantic, and that unmistakable feeling of "old money" coastal New England. But if you search for where is holiday house, you’ll realize pretty quickly that the name "Holiday House" doesn’t just belong to one single place. It’s a bit of a moving target.
Mostly, when people ask this, they’re looking for the Watch Hill mansion in Rhode Island owned by Taylor Swift. That’s the big one. It’s the house that inspired the song "The Last Great American Dynasty." But honestly, depending on who you are—a design nerd, a fan of 1950s literature, or someone looking for a boutique hotel in the desert—the answer changes.
Location matters. Usually, it's 157 Ocean View Highway, Westerly, RI.
The Watch Hill Giant: Taylor Swift’s High Watch
If we are talking about the most famous "Holiday House" in modern pop culture, we are talking about High Watch. It sits on the highest point of Watch Hill in Westerly, Rhode Island. Locals used to call it "Harkness House" because it was built for the Harkness family back in 1930. Specifically, it was the home of Rebekah Harkness, a socialite who lived a life that was, frankly, a bit chaotic and incredibly expensive.
She was the "mad woman" Taylor sings about.
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The house is massive. We’re talking over 11,000 square feet. It has eight bedrooms and eight fireplaces. If you’re driving through Watch Hill trying to find it, you can’t actually miss it, but you also can’t really see it perfectly from the road. It sits on a bluff. You get the best view from the public beach below or from a boat.
The history is what makes it interesting. Before the "Swifties" started showing up with cameras, this was the site of legendary parties. Rebekah Harkness reportedly filled her pool with Dom Pérignon. She cleaned her paintbrushes with expensive scotch. People in the village hated the noise and the eccentricity. Today, the vibe is different. It’s heavily guarded. There’s a high fence. There are signs warning you to stay back. It’s a fortress of solitude for one of the biggest stars on the planet, but to the locals, it’s still just that big white house on the hill that’s been there forever.
The Other Holiday House: Palm Springs Vibes
Wait. Maybe you aren’t looking for a celebrity mansion in Rhode Island.
There is another "Holiday House," and it couldn’t be more different from the cold, rocky shores of the Atlantic. In the heart of Palm Springs, California, there is a boutique hotel also named Holiday House. It was originally designed in 1951 by Herbert W. Burns. This place is all about mid-century modernism and that specific shade of "Cantaloupe" and "Americana Blue."
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If you're asking where is holiday house in the context of a vacation you’re actually planning to take, this is likely it. It’s located at 200 West Arenas Road. It doesn’t have TVs in the rooms. They want you to talk to people. They want you to look at the art (there’s a huge "Big Bird" sculpture by Mr. Brainwash). It’s a very specific kind of curated cool that feels like a Slim Aarons photograph come to life.
Why the Location Is Often Misunderstood
People get lost in the terminology. In the UK and Australia, a "holiday house" is just what Americans call a vacation home. It’s a generic term. If you’re searching for a specific spot, you have to look at the cultural context.
- The Literary Connection: Truman Capote wrote a short story called "A Diamond Guitar" that mentions holiday houses, and there's a long history of "Holiday House" being a name for safe havens in literature.
- The Publishing House: There is a very famous children's book publisher called Holiday House. Their logo is a little house. They aren't a destination; they’re a company based in New York City (specifically on West 26th Street).
- The Beach House Generic: Thousands of rentals on Airbnb and VRBO use "Holiday House" as a title. It’s like naming a dog "Buddy."
If you are looking for the Rhode Island spot, you are looking for the town of Westerly. If you are looking for the hotel, you are looking for Palm Springs.
The Reality of Visiting Watch Hill
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re heading to Rhode Island to see the house, don’t expect a tour. You can’t get in. The "No Trespassing" signs are very real and the local police in Westerly are very tired of people blocking the narrow roads.
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The best way to experience the location is to park in the village of Watch Hill. Walk down to the beach. Look up. You’ll see the house looming over the coastline like a silent sentinel. It’s beautiful. It’s imposing. It feels like a piece of history that’s still being written. The town itself is quintessential New England—expensive boutiques, the Flying Horse Carousel (which is the oldest continuously operating carousel in the US), and lots of people in linen shirts.
The house sits on about five acres of prime waterfront property. In 2013, it sold for around $17.75 million. In cash. That tells you everything you need to know about the scale of the place.
Architecture and the "Old Money" Aesthetic
What's fascinating about the Rhode Island Holiday House is the architecture. It’s a "Shore Colonial." It’s designed to withstand the brutal winter storms of the North Atlantic while looking effortless in the July sun. It’s got that classic pale exterior and dark shutters.
Architecturally, it’s a masterclass in balance. Even though it's huge, it doesn't look like a "McMansion." It looks like it grew out of the rocks. This is a big reason why it's such a landmark. It represents a specific era of American wealth that wasn't about being flashy—even if the owners (like Rebekah Harkness) were anything but subtle.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
- Confirm your intent: Are you looking for the celebrity landmark or a place to stay?
- Use specific GPS coordinates: For the Rhode Island house, search for "157 Ocean View Hwy, Westerly, RI 02891."
- Book ahead for Palm Springs: If you want the hotel, they only have 28 rooms. It fills up months in advance, especially during Coachella or Modernism Week.
- Respect the locals: If you go to Watch Hill, remember people actually live there. Don't block driveways and don't try to climb the bluff.
- Check the tide: If you want the best view of the Rhode Island bluff, go at low tide so you can walk further out on the sand.
When you finally stand there and look at it, whether it's the blue doors in the desert or the white shingles on the coast, you realize these places aren't just buildings. They are symbols of a specific kind of American dream. One is about the glamor of the mid-century desert, and the other is about the enduring power of the Atlantic coastline and the stories we tell about the people who live behind high fences.