The Gilded Escape
- Written by Jason Feinberg
- Published in Travel Articles
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We all adore getting away for a few days and staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns and resorts alike. These homes-away-from-home whisk us away from the responsibilities and routines of everyday life, even if only for a short while. While we’re there, our minds are free to explore, discover new surroundings and try new things. Sometimes, just a weekend of rest and relaxation is all you need to shift your whole perspective.
For this issue of 25A, we journeyed to The Chanler, a gilded-era-style estate located on the famed Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island. This historic New England spot has long been a high-society, moneyed locale – The Chanler itself was once a retreat for the Astor family, visited by VIPs like President Theodore Roosevelt and the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The area grew popular among the American nouveau riche as well, becoming a burgeoning summer home destination in the 1920s and 1930s.
The Bellevue Historic District – which includes the Vanderbilt Mansion, The Chanler and several other preserved properties and gardens – is a marvel of sheer wealth and ocean side splendor. Charming and grand, historic Newport has a way of taking you back in time and making you feel right at home all at once. I had visited Newport once before and knew that I wanted to come back just as soon as I could. I also knew that the next time I had to stay at a hotel in the cliffs. And so I did.
I arrived in town with my husband and there it was: Perched upon cliffs over the Atlantic, with breathtaking ocean views and sheer elegance, stood The Chanler, the beautifully restored estate and European boutique.
We entered a stunning high-ceilinged lobby featuring the home’s original fireplace, magnificently restored parquet flooring and a huge crystal chandelier. The setting radiated taste, class and opulent refinement. There were 20 uniquely designed guestrooms, we learned, each reflecting a different historical period or theme. I was eager to hear more about them all, but with no time to waste, the friendly and accommodating staff settled us in, so that we were ready to hit the beach.
After check-in, we were taken to our perfectly appointed ocean view villa, Block Island, complete with private garden, outdoor Jacuzzi and sauna. Styled to recall the famous island for which it is named, the villa focused on natural beauty, incredible ocean views and rustic country style. A gorgeous room with a fireplace, heated floors, Fili D’oro linens and complimentary chocolate-covered pears left little for us to desire.
For dinner, we chose The Chanler’s award-winning restaurant Spiced Pear, which features an open “silent” kitchen, dramatic Atlantic views, incomparable atmosphere and a focus on New England fare. Our dinner – one Kobe Beef Duet and one British Columbia King Salmon (prepared by Executive Chef Thomas Duffy) – was unforgettable, presented exquisitely and executed perfectly. The temperatures and tastes of each component, from proteins to parsnip mousseline to hedgehog mushrooms, were so expertly designed, we almost felt overwhelmed! A superb meal topped off with The Chanler’s famous Cliff Hanger cocktails kept us at the bar late into the night along with several other couples, engaged in friendly conversation and local storytelling.
The Chanler has much to offer onsite or within walking distance of the estate, including its sprawling seated garden area and historic walkway and easy beach access. We felt no need to leave the property. However, for those looking to explore the town and see all that Newport has to offer, The Chanler provides complimentary transportation to and from historic mansions, shopping destinations, the Newport waterfront or special events in town; pick a place and they will take you there.
Add to all this the best breakfast my husband and I have ever had, enjoyed on The Veranda overlooking the Atlantic and prepared by the culinary team from the Spiced Pear, and there is no question: I highly recommend The Chanler for a weekend getaway, or better yet, extended vacation. Historic preservation and seaside living meet a true luxury feel here; Gold Coasters are sure to love it. (But then, I don’t know who wouldn’t!) It just might be everything you need that you never knew you were looking for.
The Chanler at Cliff Walk is located at 117 Memorial Boulevard Newport, RI. Visit www.thechanler.com.
This article appears in 25A magazine. www.25amagazine.com
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