If you’ve ever driven toward New Castle, New Hampshire, you’ve seen it. That massive, gleaming white Victorian structure perched on the hill like a luxury cruise liner that accidentally docked on a bluff. That’s Wentworth by the Sea Portsmouth NH, and honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle the place even exists today. It dominates the skyline with these distinctive red-roofed towers that feel more like the French Riviera than a rocky stretch of the Granite State.
Most people think of it as just another Marriott-affiliated luxury resort. It’s not. It’s a survivor.
In the late 19th century, "Grand Hotels" were everywhere in New Hampshire. You had these massive wooden palaces where the wealthy would escape the sweltering heat of Boston or New York for the entire summer. Then, one by one, they burned down or fell into ruin. The Wentworth nearly suffered that exact fate. By the 1980s, it was a boarded-up eyesore. People locally were certain it was going to be demolished. But it wasn't. After a massive renovation that cost tens of millions, it reopened in 2003, and it’s basically been the crown jewel of the Seacoast ever since.
The History Most Guests Miss
The hotel isn’t just about fancy pillows and a nice view of the marina. It actually played a massive role in world history. Like, world-changing history. In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt basically forced the Japanese and Russians to come to New Hampshire to end the Russo-Japanese War. While the actual signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth happened at the nearby Naval Shipyard, the diplomats stayed at the Wentworth.
Imagine these guys in heavy wool suits, pacing the massive porches, arguing over borders while sipping tea. Roosevelt actually won the Nobel Peace Prize for what happened right here. You can still see the "Treaty Room" inside. It’s weirdly quiet in there, but you get a sense of how big the stakes were.
🔗 Read more: Inside of teardrop campers: What it's actually like to live in a tiny wooden bubble
What It's Actually Like to Stay There
Let’s talk about the vibe. If you’re looking for ultra-modern, glass-and-steel minimalism, you’re going to be disappointed. This is old-school. We're talking high ceilings, intricate crown molding, and a lobby that smells faintly of expensive floral arrangements and old wood.
The rooms in the main building have character. Because it’s an old structure, the floor plans are kinda funky. You might have a bathroom that’s oddly shaped or a window that’s tucked into a corner, but that’s the charm. If you want the real "wow" factor, you look at the Little Harbor Marina Suites. These are separate from the main hotel and sit right on the water. You wake up, and the first thing you see is the fog lifting off the masts of the yachts. It’s incredibly peaceful.
Food-wise, you have SALT Kitchen & Bar. They did this massive renovation a few years back to make it feel less like a stuffy hotel dining room and more like a modern lounge. They’ve got this giant circular bar that’s usually packed with locals and guests on Friday nights. The seafood is, as you’d expect, the main draw. If you aren't ordering the local oysters or the seared scallops, you’re doing it wrong.
Exploring New Castle and Portsmouth
One of the best things about Wentworth by the Sea Portsmouth NH is that it’s technically in New Castle, which is the smallest town in the state. It’s essentially an island. You can walk out of the hotel lobby and be on some of the most beautiful, winding coastal roads in New England within five minutes.
- Great Island Common: This is a 32-acre park just down the road. It’s where the locals go. You get a perfect view of the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Whaleback Light. If you have kids, this is the spot to let them run around while you stare at the Atlantic.
- Fort Constitution: It’s right next door. It’s a ruin, basically, but it’s cool because it was the site of one of the first overt acts of the American Revolution.
- The Marina: Even if you don't own a boat (and let's be real, most of us don't), walking the docks at the Wentworth Marina is a great way to kill an hour. Some of the vessels docked there are legitimately mind-blowing.
Downtown Portsmouth is only about a ten-minute drive away. It’s a straight shot down Sagamore Avenue. You get the best of both worlds: the quiet, secluded feel of the resort and the bustling, slightly-too-crowded-on-weekends energy of Market Square.
The Misconception About the "Portsmouth" Label
People get confused because the hotel uses Portsmouth in its name. It’s not in Portsmouth. If you try to walk from the hotel to the North End of Portsmouth, you’re going to be walking for over an hour. You need a car, or you need to use the hotel shuttle.
Also, it’s expensive. There’s no point in sugarcoating it. You’re paying for the history and the fact that there isn’t another hotel in the region with this kind of scale and service. Is it worth it? If you value architecture and that specific "New England Summer" feeling, then yeah, absolutely. If you just want a place to sleep, you’re better off at one of the boutique hotels downtown like The Hotel Portsmouth or even the AC Hotel.
The Hidden Details
Check out the towers. The three towers on the roof aren't just for decoration. Back in the day, they were used as lookout points. Now, they house some of the most unique suites in the building.
The spa is another thing people overlook. It’s tucked away on the lower level. It’s small compared to the mega-resorts in Vegas, but the therapists there are top-tier. They do this "Ocean Essence" wrap that basically turns you into a human seaweed roll, but you’ll feel like a new person afterward.
Planning Your Trip
If you’re planning to visit, season matters.
👉 See also: Weather in March LA: What Most People Get Wrong
Summer is the peak. It’s gorgeous, but it’s loud. There are weddings every single weekend. If you hate the idea of sharing a hotel with a bridal party of twenty people, avoid June and September.
Winter is actually my favorite time there. They do these massive fires in the lobby fireplaces. The crowds disappear. You can sit in the bar, watch the snow fall over the harbor, and it feels incredibly cozy. Plus, the rates drop significantly once the temperature hits freezing.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're heading to the Wentworth, do these things to get the most out of it:
- Request a High Floor: In the main building, the views get exponentially better the higher you go. If you’re on the second floor, you might just be looking at the roof of the port-cochere. Aim for the fourth or fifth.
- Walk the "Loop": Leave the hotel, turn right, and just follow the road around New Castle. It’s about a three-mile loop. You’ll see stunning colonial homes, tiny post offices, and the kind of scenery that makes people move to New Hampshire.
- Check the Wedding Calendar: Seriously. Call the front desk before you book and ask if there’s a large wedding block. If the ballroom is at capacity, the common areas can feel a bit cramped.
- Visit the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum: It’s a short drive and gives you the full context of the Treaty of Portsmouth that happened at the hotel.
- Eat at The Ice Cream Bar: It's a tiny seasonal spot nearby in New Castle. It’s simple, but it’s the quintessential local experience.
Whether you're there for the history, the spa, or just to say you stayed at the "Ship on the Hill," the Wentworth remains one of those rare places that actually lives up to the postcards. It’s a piece of living history that survived the wrecking ball, and that alone makes it worth a visit.