Why book?
Perhaps no other hotel in Newport captures the spirit of what this destination once was during its Gilded Age heyday: a bucolic, waterfront retreat where time seems to stand still.
Set the scene
There are many hotels in Newport, but few that rise to the level of hospitality and experience as Castle Hill Inn. It’s a gathering place for well-heeled locals, a must-visit for out-of-towners, and not to mention one of Rhode Island’s premiere wedding venues. If there ever was a hotel that embodied a Ralph Lauren campaign brought to life, it’s this one.
The backstory
People have been drawn to these magical 40 acres for centuries– the name comes from a Narragansett earthwork that once stood here, which to European settlers resembled a castle. Before the Gilded Age barons built their mansions over on Bellevue Avenue, Castle Hill was a hangout for prominent 19th century intellectuals including Henry Wadsorth Longfellow, Emma Lazarus, and the scientist Alexander Agassiz–who built a summer cottage here, which still serves as the main premises of Castle Hill Inn. Today, the Inn has held steadfastly to these 40 acres, expanding slowly and carefully to add a handful of beach cottages seated on a private beach, and a wedding venue. It’s owned by The Newport Restaurant Group, a 100% employee-owned company.
The rooms
In the Agassiz mansion, no two rooms are alike. And while this is a historic property, everything is beautifully maintained, and far from dusty. We stayed in the duplex Turret Suite which occupies, as the name suggests, the property’s iconic highest point. The king-sized bed was cozy, the antique millwork felt reminiscent of another time, and–the pièce de résistance–a spiral staircase leads into the highest section of the mansion’s turret, where a freestanding soaking tub sits surrounded by windows, offering panoramic views of Newport. It was, by any measure, sublime.
That’s not to say that there aren’t sublime moments to be found in the inn’s other room categories. There are Harbor Houses with a staircase down to the water (famously, Grace Kelly once said this was one of her favorite hideaways), as well as freestanding Beach Cottages and Houses nestled directly in the dunes of the hotel’s private beach. In all room categories, keep an eye out for a Castle Hill classic: the legendary house-made chocolate chip cookies, left on your nightstand at turndown.
Food and drink
As part of the Relais & Châteaux network, the food here is, as you would expect, excellent. The last time I visited Castle Hill three years ago, dinner in the “Dining Room” was just fine. But at the newly zhuzhed up “Aurelia” (they re-concepted the Dining Room in January 2024), dinner felt like an experience, combining local and seasonal fine dining with old world European flourishes. Is there really a better way to kick off a special dinner than with a visit from a Champagne trolley? Or to conclude than with a tour of New England and French cheeses, freshly sliced off a cheese trolley? (Aurelia’s cheese trolley has proven so popular, managing director Brian Young told me, that the inn needed to purchase a second one.
Fine dining aside, Castle Hill also gets it right with its more casual outposts, too. The Terrace Bar offers elevated takes on grilled New England fare, with an infallible burger, and a housemade peach BBQ sauce I’m still dreaming about days later. A full gourmet breakfast is included for (and exclusive to) overnight guests, too. Castle Hill is also a great spot for drinks–there are few more quintessentially Newport experiences than posting up in one of the Adirondack chairs on The Lawn, ordering a dark'n'stormy, and waving to the sailboats that go cruising on by.
The spa
There is a small spa offering straightforward facials and massages with products by Farmaesthetics, a botanical-driven skincare brand from the area.
The neighborhood/area
Castle Hill occupies some of the most desirable real estate in all of New England: 40 secluded acres on the southwesternmost tip of Aquidneck Island, where the iconic Ocean Drive is basically your driveway. Keep in mind that it’s a solid fifteen minute drive into downtown Newport, however the inn offers a regularly scheduled launch service that carries guests across the harbor in the summer season, for a fee. But honestly? This is the type of hotel where you’ll want to check in and stay on property–there are plenty of views and vibes to soak up for the duration of your stay.
The service
Service positively sings here–it’s the kind of place where everyone greets you by name, and your preference for sparkling or still water is remembered from meal to meal. The service skews formal, but is never off-putting or cold. Special shoutout to the valet who can keep a line of cars moving like an assembly line, even when it feels like half of Newport is descending on The Lawn to catch the sunset.
Eco effort
The inn operates a sizable chef’s garden which supplies a portion of the on-site F&B, uses compost derived from the kitchen’s scraps on that garden, and also recently installed an on-site apiary.
Accessibility
There are rooms available with accessibility features–contact the hotel directly to book.
Anything left to mention?
A wonderfully civilized afternoon tea service comes complimentary for all guests.
590 Ocean Ave., Newport, Rhode Island 02840
United States
http://www.castlehillinn.com/
(401) 849-3800