Newport’s Gilded Age heritage lives on in its most opulent hotels. Stay in the former mansions of millionaires, soak in grand decor, and enjoy modern luxury. Key picks include the following historic estates:
The Vanderbilt (Auberge Resorts)
Originally built in 1909 by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, this downtown hotel has been restored to its original splendor. It offers luxury suites, elegant fireplaces and museum-quality artwork, plus a garden terrace and rooftop bar in summer. With just 33 rooms, it feels like a private mansion stay, right in the heart of Newport.
The Chanler at Cliff Walk
Set on the famous Cliff Walk, The Chanler is a 19th-century mansion of U.S. Representative John Winthrop Chanler. Its 20 rooms each have a unique historical style, and guests enjoy manicured gardens and ocean vistas. This Forbes Five-Star hotel wraps you in “Gilded Age elegance and gracious hospitality,” perfect for stepping into Newport’s rich past.
Castle Hill Inn
On a private 40-acre peninsula with its own cove beach, Castle Hill Inn was completed in 1875 as a summer home for scientist Alexander Agassiz. Today it offers luxurious rooms, cottages and even standalone beach houses—many with harbor views. Castle Hill Inn provides a “slice of paradise on a private, 40-acre peninsula” with some accommodations that overlook a private beach.
OceanCliff
This grand Newport estate on Ocean Drive (built in 1892) boasts sweeping Atlantic views. It features 24 uniquely “nineteenth-century” guest rooms with modern comforts. The setting is lush, with rolling lawns and waterfront vistas; it whisks you back to the nineteenth century, yet offers today’s amenities. OceanCliff is an ideal pick for history buffs who crave oceanfront elegance.
The Gilded Hotel
A 17-room boutique conversion of two adjoining Victorian houses, this downtown hotel channels Newport’s opulent past through its decor. Its designers drew on Rococo and Beaux-Arts styles of the Gilded Era. Expect rich fabrics, antique-style furnishings and touches of gilt, like grand gold mirrors, to capture that Vanderbilt-era feel. Its boutique size makes it intimate yet distinctly lavish for its category.
Cliffside Inn
Located in an 1876 Victorian mansion in Newport’s Historic District, one block from the Cliff Walk, the Cliffside Inn has just 16 guest rooms. It’s a short walk from the Cliff Walk and city attractions. With elegant period furnishings (brick fireplaces, claw-foot tubs) and a canary-yellow exterior, Cliffside lets you live like a local aristocrat. Its small size and prime location give it charm without the crowds of a larger resort.
Hamilton Hoppin House (Middletown)
Just over the border in Middletown, this nine-bedroom inn is itself a historic mansion (circa 1856) designed by famed architect Richard Upjohn. The Hamilton Hoppin House is “a stylishly restored 9-bedroom Historical Mansion” offering elegant rooms and common spaces. Staying here feels like living in a private Newport cottage; it’s perfect for families or groups who want estate-style luxury (and the concierge can steer you to the best Newport sights).
Each of these seven hotels feels like stepping into Vanderbilt opulence. All have preserved their historic architecture while adding modern comforts. Stay in any one, and you’ll be rolling out the red carpet for your own Gilded Age fantasy.
