Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE) Castle Hill Inn, a classic shingle-style mansion built in the 1870s, played host to Grace Kelly over the summer of 1956, during the filming of “High Society.”


There is so much charm to be found in American northeast summer homes built before the turn of the last century. This one, a shingle-style delight commissioned in 1874 by Harvard University marine biologist Alexander Agazzis, is on the western-most tip of Newport, Rhode Island.

After World War II, the house became a summer hotel, and played host to a variety of interesting guests. According to the Inn’s website, among them was Grace Kelly, who stayed during the summer of 1956 while filming  “High Society.” Novelist Thornton Wilder also, evidently, stayed often.

I’ve never been to the hotel. I discovered it through a vacation photo posted to an Instagram gallery I happen to follow. It was just a simple snapshot of one of The Cottages rooms, but the architecture and decor were so pretty I immediately wanted to learn about the place. When you see the photographs below, I think you’ll understand why!

Named “The Most Romantic Retreat in New England” by Forbes in 2015, the Inn offers rooms in both its Agazzis Mansion or at its Harbor House, which overlooks the private beach where Grace Kelly often swam. Guests may also stay at one of the Inn’s other two on-site properties: The Cottages (located on the Inn’s private beach) or the Beach Houses (located between the beach and nature trails).

The Inn offers meals in its Relais & Chateaux restaurant The Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn, and also al fresco on The Lawn.

For more information, see Castle Hill Inn.

~Janis Lyn Johnson

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE) The Cottages at Castle Hill Inn.

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE) The Cottages at Castle Hill Inn.

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE & BELOW) Harbor House at Castle Hill Inn, and its secluded cove, made famous by Grace Kelly.

Grace-Kelly-Beach-At-Castle-Hill-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE) Grace Kelly Beach, the secluded cove below Harbor House at Castle Hill Inn.

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE & BELOW) The Rose Room, on the second floor of Castle Hill Inn’s Agassiz Mansion.

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE & BELOW) The Rose Room at Castle Hill Inn’s Agassiz Mansion.

.Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE) The Lighthouse Suite in the Agassiz Mansion at Castle Hill Inn.

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE) The Turret Suite, where novelist Thornton Wilder is said to have stayed.

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE & BELOW) The Beach Houses, which overlook a private beach front.

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

(ABOVE & BELOW) The Beach Houses.

Castle-Hill-Inn-Rhode-Island

All photographs via the Castle Hill Inn, Newport, Rhode Island.