Wentworth By The Sea

Where Gilded Age Grandeur Meets Seaside Serenity

Perched above the rocky shores of New Castle, New Hampshire, Wentworth By The Sea has been captivating guests with its sweeping Atlantic views, architectural beauty, and storied past for well over a century. This grand hotel isn’t just a luxurious coastal retreat—it’s a survivor, a restorer of elegance, and a chapter in New England’s maritime history. Whether you’re a lover of historic architecture, curious about diplomatic lore, or simply dreaming of a relaxing seaside escape, this property has stories to share and sunsets to steal your breath.

The iconic silhouette of Wentworth By The Sea, standing tall above the harbor just as it has since 1874.

🌊 A Gilded Age Icon on the Coast

Built in 1874, Wentworth By The Sea was part of a wave of grand hotels that sprang up during the Gilded Age, catering to wealthy vacationers looking to escape the cities during the summer season. Designed in the Second Empire style with striking mansard roofs, dormer windows, and graceful white porches, the hotel quickly gained a reputation as one of the most elegant retreats along the Northeast coast.

It wasn’t just the architecture that made it a destination—it was the experience. Guests would arrive by steamship or rail and settle into a week (or a month) of leisure. Lawn games, afternoon teas, sailing excursions, and orchestra concerts were all part of the appeal. And with views of the ocean on one side and the protected waters of Little Harbor on the other, the setting was nothing short of spectacular.

🏰 Architectural Details That Still Dazzle

The Mansard Towers

It’s impossible to miss the hotel’s—tall, symmetrical, and crowned with steep mansard roofs that nod to the French Second Empire style. Rising above the rest of t three signature towershe building, these towers give Wentworth By The Sea its regal, almost castle-like profile. They were designed not just for visual impact, but to signal elegance and luxury to arriving guests long before they set foot inside.

Porches That Wrap and Welcome

The wide, sweeping verandas are more than decorative—they were a social stage for Gilded Age visitors. Lined with white railings and columns, the porches wrap generously around the hotel, offering space for quiet conversation, sweeping sea views, or just the pleasure of a rocking chair and a salt breeze. Today, they remain one of the most beloved features of the property.

A Grand and Balanced Layout

The hotel’s layout is both imposing and graceful, with a long, symmetrical facade anchored by the central tower. This balance creates a sense of formal beauty that’s especially noticeable when viewed from the gardens or harbor below. The design draws the eye upward and outward at the same time—inviting guests to take in the whole picture before stepping inside.

Dormer Windows and Rooftop Rhythm

Dozens of dormer windows punctuate the upper floors, each one creating a gentle rhythm along the sloped red roofs. These arched windows do more than add charm—they usher light into the guest rooms tucked under the eaves and contribute to the vertical elegance that defines the hotel’s exterior.

A Palette That Belongs to the Coast

The color scheme may be subtle, but it’s unforgettable. The crisp white clapboard siding stands out beautifully against the backdrop of the sea and sky, while the deep red roofs catch the warm light of sunrise and sunset. Combined with the surrounding gardens or autumn trees, it’s a palette that feels both rooted in New England and timelessly photogenic.

📜 Historic Highlights

Delegates of the Portsmouth Peace Conference, 1905 — their negotiations at Wentworth earned Theodore Roosevelt a Nobel Peace Prize.

Wentworth By The Sea isn’t just a pretty face—it’s played host to some serious history. Most famously, it was the lodging site for delegates of the Portsmouth Peace Conference in 1905, when President Theodore Roosevelt brokered peace talks between Japan and Russia, ultimately earning the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. The Japanese and Russian delegates stayed at Wentworth during the negotiations, and the hotel gained international fame almost overnight.

Other notable guests have included dignitaries, celebrities, and even royalty. Its proximity to Portsmouth and the Isles of Shoals added to its allure—especially for those drawn to both culture and coastline.

🛠️ Restoration and Revival

Like many grand hotels of its era, Wentworth fell into decline during the mid-20th century. By the 1980s, it was closed and deteriorating, nearly lost to time and neglect. But in a near-miraculous turn of events, the hotel was saved from demolition by a group of preservationists and local advocates.

The restored veranda blends Gilded Age elegance with modern-day comfort—one of many inviting corners throughout the hotel.

In the early 2000s, after an extensive and faithful restoration, Wentworth By The Sea reopened as part of the Marriott Historic Hotels of America program. The goal was to bring the hotel back to life while maintaining its original character—and it worked. Today, visitors find a seamless blend of historic charm and modern luxury, including elegant suites, spa services, fine dining, and impeccably restored public spaces.

✨ What Makes It Stand Out

There’s no shortage of seaside resorts in New England, but Wentworth By The Sea stands in a class of its own for a few reasons:

• Its authenticity. The restoration respected the building’s original design, right down to the color schemes and woodwork details.
• Its peaceful setting. Tucked away on a small island connected by bridges, it feels remote but is just minutes from Portsmouth.
• Its maritime history. Guests can visit nearby sites like Fort Constitution, the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion, and take harbor cruises that echo the old steamship arrivals.
• Its gardens and porches. Flowering walkways and expansive verandas offer endless places to sit and take in the view.

It’s also a popular venue for weddings, anniversaries, and events—where the backdrop is just as memorable as the occasion.

🕰️ A Few Things You Might Not Know

• The hotel was once home to a 19-hole golf course and a saltwater swimming pool fed directly from the ocean.
• For decades, it operated its own power plant, bakery, and laundry facility—making it nearly self-sufficient.
• The Japanese delegation during the 1905 Peace Conference left behind not just diplomacy but cultural artifacts, some of which remain part of the hotel’s heritage collection.
• Guests once arrived via the Hotel Wentworth Steamer, docking just below the bluffs before being whisked up the hill by carriage.

🔍 What I’ve Learned

Visiting Wentworth By The Sea isn’t just about checking into a nice hotel—it’s about stepping into a story. A story of elegance nearly lost, of history negotiated over evening cigars, and of the quiet persistence of preservation. It stands as a testament to what can happen when a community decides that beauty and history are worth saving.

As the sun sets over the coast, the timeless beauty of Wentworth By The Sea comes fully into view.

And as the sun sets over the harbor, with sailboats bobbing in the distance and gulls calling overhead, it becomes clear why generations have returned to this coastal gem. Not just for the view—but for the feeling it evokes.