Our Inspector's Highlights
• Set on its own private peninsula just a few miles from lively downtown Newport, Castle Hill Inn is an ideal destination for visitors who want the best of both worlds—access to the city, as well as a peaceful retreat a short distance from the action.
• Guided by 19th-century explorer Alexander Agassiz's extensive travels, some of the mansion's interior shows a definite Asian influence, lending an exotic feel to the elegant Victorian-era style.
• The mansion opens up to an expansive lawn lined with Adirondack chairs, inviting ocean lovers to soak in the impressive view while enjoying food and cocktails alfresco. Weather permitting, The Lawn is available from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
• If you’re looking for a scenic excursion, continue traveling on Ocean Drive to take in the stunning beaches, scenic cliffs and some of Newport's most magnificent and historic homes.
Things to Know
• The entrance to the inn is situated on famed Ocean Drive at the point where acres of farmland give way to majestic views of Narragansett Bay.
• Between movie nights, beach bonfires, lawn games, sunset sails and authentic New England clambakes, there are outdoor events nearly every summer evening.
• There is much to be said for a visit in the fall or winter months, when a walk around the grounds on a crisp day is the perfect prelude to an enchanting evening in front of the fireplace.
• A stay at the luxury hotel in the spring is a fine way to celebrate nature hitting the reset button, once again breathing life and color into the landscape.
The Rooms
• There are nine guest rooms in Castle Hill Inn's regal 19th-century mansion, which serves as the property's main structure.
• Though no two rooms are exactly alike in style, size or décor, each one feature beautifully maintained hardwood floors, luxurious bathroom furnishings, cozy fireplaces and, of course, gorgeous views.
• The best vista in the house, however, belongs to the Turret Suite, a two-story guest room boasting a 360-degree panoramic perspective of Narragansett Bay.
• Additional lodgings are homed in the quaint, charming exteriors of both the Harbor Houses and the Chalet. These romantic, semi-secluded rooms overlook the peninsula's rocky harbor, and are just a short walk from the mansion.
The Restaurants
• Culinary options at Castle Hill Inn change seasonally to offer the freshest selections and the chefs prepare dishes with as many locally grown items as possible — some even from the Newport hotel's own gardens.
• The gourmet breakfast (try the Maine lobster hash with poached eggs and chive crème fraîche or the pancakes suzette topped with Grand Marnier syrup, toasted pecans, citrus and tarragon) is available exclusively to those staying at the inn.
• For lunch, try an entrée such as pan-seared Georges Bank scallops with smoked quinoa, shaved apple, turnips, peanuts and brown butter.
• At dinner, choose from three-, five- or eight-course prix-fixe menus. Expect dishes such as butter-poached Maine lobster clambake with roasted corn, chorizo, pous pied, marble potatoes and smoked seaweed broth.