Castle Hill Inn Welcomes Families to Enchanting Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be small, but it packs a big punch, especially for family travelers looking to discover the magic of the New England coast. At Castle Hill Inn, families get a glimpse into the state’s historical past while enjoying its most well-known beach town.

© Castle Hill Inn

Castle Hill, which sits on 40 acres of land overlooking the water, dates back to 1875 when Alexandar Agassiz purchased the property for his home and lab. The mansion he built, today a luxury resort hotel, is home to upscale rooms offering cozy fireplaces. The hotel comes complete with a telescope for stargazing and birdwatching from the bay windows while you enjoy your view of the Narragansett Bay.

Agassiz worked as a marine biologist at Harvard, and the property is evidence of his passion for marine life. The event space, which today hosts lavish weddings and parties, was once his laboratory where he conducted research and taught students. Throughout the property you will find little reminders of his work, like fish-shaped notches in the handcrafted wood. The property’s dining room, which serves New England classics with a gourmet flair like clam chowder and a delectable lobster roll, is named Aurelia after a specimen of jellyfish, also known as moon jelly, Agassiz researched during his time at Castle Hill.

© Castle Hill Inn

Every detail of Castle Hill Inn is designed to create the ultimate experience for relaxation, fun and luxury, especially for families. As the only hotel in Newport with its own privately owned beach, Beach House rooms and Beach Cottages give families the best of both worlds. You get luxurious accommodation Castle Hill Inn is known for, while the beach awaits just steps away from your room. This exclusive beach access includes beach toys and games, along with a staff that can make everything perfect for a day at the beach by arranging for umbrellas, towels, and food and beverages so you won’t have to leave the relaxation of the waterfront.

Families will also appreciate the extra space and privacy that comes with Harbor House rooms, which have connecting doors between rooms. During your stay you can take part in many fun activities geared for families, like enjoying s’mores at Sunday beach bonfires, stargazing under the guidance of an astronomer from nearby Brown University, birdwatching tours, fishing demonstrations and hiking the nature trails that crisscross the grounds.

© Castle Hill Inn

With the city of Newport as its backyard and Narragansett Bay as its playground, Castle Hill Inn offers families plenty of opportunities to get away from the property for a change of scenery. The inn’s Hinckley yacht offers half- and full-day tours of the local waterways from the on-site marina. The town, long a popular getaway for the rich and famous, is full of cute shops, great cafés and plenty of places to grab a drink or a coffee (not to mention a delectable piece of fudge if you are in the mood).

During the high season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), water taxi service is available from the waterway directly behind Castle Hill Inn into town so you can explore the shops, grab a bite to eat or simply explore the quaint New England town of Newport. You can grab a bite at a piece of living history, the country’s first and oldest tavern, White Horse Tavern, or stop for a cone at the local ice cream shop. Castle Hill makes this an extra special treat by giving tokens to children staying at the inn to trade for one of the sweet treats.

With white Adirondack chairs on the lawn, the magnificent Victorian architecture of the main house and its own lighthouse nestled along the rocky shore, Castle Hill Inn is quintessential New England. And thanks to the resort’s attention to every little detail, families will find their dream destination in Rhode Island.