MICHELIN’s hotel awards updated this year, and Castle Hill Inn landed in an upper tier with Two MICHELIN Keys. Keys sit alongside the famous restaurant Stars and signal overall stay quality in 3 levels. One Key marks a very special stay. Two Keys indicate an exceptional stay. Three Keys are reserved for an extraordinary stay.
Why this one stands out starts with location. Castle Hill sits at 590 Ocean Drive on a coastal headland at the end of the Ten Mile Drive. The estate covers roughly 40 acres with lawns that slope toward Narragansett Bay. Guests spread out in Adirondack chairs with sails moving past in the channel. Footpaths on the grounds lead toward the Castle Hill Lighthouse, a short trail approach that has become a favorite golden hour photo stop. The combination of open water views, green space, and a working light nearby is not easy to replicate elsewhere in town.
Rooms and suites are split between the 19th century Agassiz Mansion and freestanding options, so you can tune the experience. Mansion rooms lean classic with woodwork and fireplaces that dial up the New England feel. Beach Cottages and Harbor Houses add privacy and a quieter rhythm close to the shoreline. That mix lets couples choose a tucked away cottage or a room steps from the main house common spaces.
Dining is a strength. Aurelia inside the mansion handles refined dinner service and draws both hotel guests and locals for special nights. The Lawn Terrace is the move for daylight plates and late afternoon drinks with water in view. Because both sit on the property, you can plan an unrushed evening without leaving the grounds, then step outside for a quick stroll on the lawn as the light fades over the bay.
Plotting a Castle Hill sunset or an Ocean Drive escape? Check out Castle Hill Inn here!
Once you venture off property, you are immediately on the Ocean Drive loop. Brenton Point State Park sits minutes away with broad Atlantic views and long grassy areas that draw kites when the breeze is up. Fort Adams State Park is also along the loop with harbor overlooks and walking paths. If you prefer a low effort scenic cruise, Ocean Drive’s pull offs make it simple to stop and capture wide angle shots of open water and rocky shore.
Castle Hill’s Two Key award aligns with what regulars already know. This address is classic Newport, with polished service and a setting that delivers sunset hour without needing to get in a car. In a year when MICHELIN sharpened its hotel list nationwide, this property’s combination of estate scale, shoreline vantage, and on site dining stacked up as exceptional.
