We have been to Block Island many times by sailboat, private plane and ferry in the past but not for the past 17 years. It is a great place to visit and the Ashley House is on an excellent location for access to the ferry, town, restaurants, beach, etc. The rooms were big and nice.
The cost was high but competitive with other properties for our dates. There is a door on each end of the building to get up to the rooms. One end has a combination lock and the door other end has no lock. The stairways up to the rooms are dark at night (I brought my flashlight with me when we went out).These two items need to be addressed.
There is an Ice bucket in the room but no machine. Wandered around outside under the second level rooms and determined one establishment had the ice. A little info on the tv remote would also have been nice. Two instead of one chair in the room would have been good. No internet access so you have to go to the affiliated hotel (1661 Inn) or the library was suggested. In this day and age internet access should be available even if for a fee.
I have traveled over 2 million air miles and obviously stayed in many hotels so I have some comparisons and I think a few small changes would make this place a 5 star experience.