Gurney’s, a famed Montauk, Long Island resort in New York, now has a sibling in Newport, RI. Management has taken over the former Hyatt Regency on Goat Island, and it’s jazzing up the scene to provide a modern New England experience. Consider the new partnership with Porsche, which provides house car services to guests and the liaison with the company, Blade, which runs seaplane flights between Manhattan and Newport, landing right on property, which fronts both the Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor.
Joyce (concierge@gurneysresorts.com; 401-851-2600), the hotel’s concierge, can provide assistance booking that seaplane, or with setting up a private clambake overlooking the water. She can also arrange sunset sailing excursions with food provided by Scarpetta, the hotel’s Italian restaurant, and with boat trips to the private Rose Island with picnic lunch or dinner.
Note: David Bodette (david.bodette@gurneysresorts.com; 401-851-3300) is the general manager of Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina and welcomes direct contact with luxury travel advisors.
There are plenty of vacation-style activities available on property; the pool has nine cabanas and 10 daybeds for lounging. Fancy some sunset gazing? A three-tiered deck has 11 fire pits with views overlooking Narragansett Bay and Pell Bridge for the best sunsets in Newport.
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina has a three-tiered deck with 11 fire pits and views of Narragansett Bay and Pell Bridge.
For the top digs at Gurney’s, book the two-story, two-bedroom Liberty Suite, which also has two bathrooms, a large living room and dining area. Best part? The 1,250-square-foot suite has two balconies with direct views of the lighthouse and Narragansett’s Bay. The Premier Suite is also a great option; with 1,320 square feet, it’s located at the top levels of the hotel’s Tower building and has panoramic views of the Narragansett’s Bay and Newport Harbor. If these two suites are taken, there are several one-bedroom accommodations, which range in size from 750 to 1,000 square feet.
What we love: There are 30 bi-level suites here, which work well for families; there are also 100 rooms that connect. Nearly every room at Gurney’s has water views. The Tower rooms face Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. The Lighthouse Wing overlooks the hotel’s new marina on Newport Harbor, which now has slips for up to 125-foot yachts.
For assistance sorting through it all, contact Lisa Herzog (lisa.herzog@gurneysresorts.com; 401-851-2333), the reservations manager.
Arriving by air? Providence Airport (T.F. Green Airport) is about a 35- to 40-minute drive to the resort. Private jets can land at Newport State Airport.
Gurney’s has a nine-room spa, which should be booked at least a week out for treatments. The spa senior supervisor, Andrea Giacomozzi (seawaterspa@gurneysresorts.com; 401-851-3225) can provide personal assistance in booking treatments, including a couple’s massage.
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina has 257 guestrooms guestrooms with water views.
Tip: The hotel is pet friendly; a fee is charged and doggy amenities are provided.
There is an array of special events in Newport year-round that draw crowds, including The Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, the Newport Jazz Festival, the Newport International Polo Series and the Newport Folk Festival.
Those still on the docket for 2017 include the Newport International Boat Show (September 14 – 17) and the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival (September 21 – 24). We say it’s worth heading north for the Bowen’s Wharf 27th Annual Seafood Festival (October 14 – 15) in downtown Newport, RI. For a New England holiday experience, save the date for November 24 for the City of Newport’s Illuminated Boat Parade. The Bowen’s Wharf 47th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held December 2.
Just nearby, clambakes, bonfires, and perhaps a spot of croquet on the lawn are just some of the activities to be had at Castle Hill Inn, a coastal resort overlooking Narragansett Bay, RI. There’s a strong historic vibe at this Relais & Châteaux resort, which is set on a 40-acre peninsula with views of the coast. There’s a series of guestrooms and suites in the original 19th-century Agassiz Mansion, and 26 waterfront accommodations in the Harbor House, Chalet, Cottages and Beach Houses, which have just been renovated. The Mansion’s Turret Suite (the bath area is set in the turret!), which serves up 270-degree views of Narragansett Bay and the Long Island Sound, has also been renovated.
The Turret Suite at Castle Hill Inn is a bi-level suite located on the third floor of the Agassiz Mansion.
Want to try your hand at some local activities? They come with a luxury spin, such as a hot-air balloon ride, skydiving and visits to local vineyards and farms. Then there’s always the option of a cruise on Castle Hill Inn’s private yacht during the warmer months, or a ride in the resort’s water taxi, which can cruise you right into Newport Harbour.
Good news for those seeking some added pampering; the spa, a.k.a. the Retreat at Castle Hill by Farmaesthetics, has a new relaxation area outside of its two treatment rooms, giving guests the option to linger in luxury.
Andy Smith is the general manager of the resort. For assistance with booking, contact Lew Gordon (reservations@CaslteHillInn.com; 888-466-1355; or 401-849-3800), the revenue and reservations manager.
On Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club is set on a bluff overlooking the bay. It’s located just outside of Brewster, a quaint New England village with bay beaches, antique shops, sea captains’ homes and tree-lined streets, all just a 90-minute drive from Boston and Providence and a one-hour flight from New York.
The Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club’s Beach Bar overlooks the Cape Cod Bay and serves lobster rolls, oysters and seasonal cocktails.
The summer months are the most popular at the resort, with most weekends selling out in advance. The Presidential Bay Collection and Mansion guestrooms are the first to sell out. The resort is open year-round, with seasonal activities including museum and gallery tours, cranberry bog tours, dining, hiking and biking on the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
For the best accommodations, book a three-bedroom, three-bath Waterfront Presidential Bay Collection Villa, which also provides private concierge services. These work well for families and entourages, as do the Premium Endicott and Edinborough Villas. Courtney Hoppen (Courtney.hoppen@oceanedge.com), the director of revenue, can provide insider intel on which rooms work best for your needs.
Seafood lovers should check out the menu at the Ocean Terrace, which has seasonal entrees. Hint: We hear the corner terrace table is the best to book. You can do so by contacting Greg Dye (greg.dye@oceanedge.com; 774-323-6013).
We recommend a meal at the Raw Bar as well, if only for the lobster roll or “Brewster Oysters.” Bayzo’s Pub is the place for a bowl of chowder and live music in season. Be sure to try the resort’s exclusive Bayzo’s Brew from Cape Cod Beer.
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club has 339 guestrooms.
The Beach Bar opened last year and overlooks Cape Cod Bay. It’s open Memorial Day through Labor Day and serves lobster rolls, oysters and seasonal cocktails.
The Beach House Spa just opened in May at the hotel; it’s 4,600 square feet in size, providing a variety of treatments; we hear the Hydra Facial is one of the most popular treatments. Book at least two to three days out via MacKenzie Brendlen (hello.beachhousespa@oceanedge.com; 774-323-6230). The spa director Joanna Roche (joanna.roche@oceanedge.com; 774-323-6230) can assist with buyouts, which include access to the spa’s “Side Porch,” a lounge with makeup stations, a blow dry bar, a dressing area, personalized playlist and food and beverage options. Note: Be sure to book in advance.
The Ocean Edge Golf Club can provide VIP services, such as advance tee times, lessons, programs and additional golf activities through Ocean Edge Golf Academy. Arrange custom golf outings through Brandon Roseth (Brandon.roseth@oceanedge.com; 774-323-6029), the director of golf.
Note: The hotel is not pet friendly.
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club is set on a bluff overlooking the bay.
Nantucket is another perennial Massachusetts getaway sporting the best of what New England has to offer. The Wauwinet sits on the quiet, northeastern coast and has two private beaches. We’re all about the new alliance it has with Priority Bicycles, a New York-based cycling startup, which provides complimentary use of bikes to guests who can ride them to the island’s marshes, ponds and cranberry bogs. There are also plenty of bike paths on the island. The hotel can also provide a Rosé picnic basket for two and a custom bike map to the most romantic destinations on the island, such as the red- and white-striped, cliff-top lighthouse at Sankaty Head. Nice Touch: Topper’s, the on-property restaurant has a 1,450-wine list, the largest on island, and oysters plucked 300 yards from the property.
Contact Christina Hall (ChristinaH@NIResorts.com; 508-638-2445) for special assistance.