Gardiner House is a new waterfront boutique hotel in Newport, Rhode Island that has been 5 years in the making. Led by co-owners and local Newporters, Howard Cushing and Wirt Blaffer, the hotel feels and flows like a seaside house full of playful design that transports its guests to an enchanted world of art, whimsy, culinary delights and breathtaking views of Newport Harbour.
“Newport is filled with culture, history, music, art, design, architecture and characters. I’ve always loved bringing people to Newport for their first time and seeing it as I do but through new eyes,” said Cushing. “It’s the layeredness and how profoundly fun Newport is that makes the people who live here love to host and share the unexpected and magical side of this place. It’s that spirit that drives so many of the decisions we make while building and designing Gardiner House.”
The property’s residential-inspired architecture and interior design are a collaboration between Cushing, Blaffer, local architecture firm Herk Works, and New York-based design firm Space Exploration. The hotel embraces the fabric of Newport’s artful history, drawing much of its design story and creative roots from Cushing’s great-grandfather, American artist Howard Gardiner Cushing.
Guests are welcomed by a two-story mural wrapped around a spectacular staircase – a masterful recreation of an original mural by Howard Gardiner Cushing painted circa 1905. Cushing commissioned twenty2 Wallpaper + Textiles to reimagine the mural – methodically and artfully – while maintaining the integrity and style of Howard Gardiner Cushing’s original art. Oversized branches and leaves give way to tropical birds, encouraging guests to climb the stairs to discover what is around the next corner.
The heartbeat of the hotel is found in the Studio Bar, a warm, inviting and timelessly chic space for all of Newport to start or end a night out. Featuring a menu of cocktails and flavourful bites, the bar is intimate and art-filled with rich green walls, a working wood fireplace, and mix of seating areas.
The hotel’s colour palette of blues, greens and vibrant pops of coral and lilac are translated across Gardiner House’s 21 guest rooms and suites. Guest rooms are impeccably appointed and thoughtfully designed featuring a mix of warm textures including rattan-accented standing wardrobes, bamboo cane furnishings and custom upholstered headboards. A selection of spaces boasts 14-foot ceilings and stunning harbour views, while others open to private terraces and panoramic seascapes.
Gardiner House’s indoor and outdoor spaces offer unmatched views of Newport Harbour, unique vantage points and distinctive style. The lobby-level Sun (Room) Porch serves as a gathering place whilst the Harbour Lawn offers an expansive waterfront green space. The 2,400-square-foot Gardiner Ballroom is a spectacular backdrop for events and parties.
Gardiner House will also open an indoor/outdoor restaurant and terrace in spring 2024. The design of these spaces complements the hotel’s 21 guestrooms and suites, with soaring tall ceilings, and thoughtful finishings.
