Wentworth-by-the-Sea
 

Does anyone have details about Wentworth-by-the-Sea in the New Castle/Portsmouth area (it's a Marriott property)? Their website is fairly informative (www.wentworth.com), but I would like some personal observations/ thoughts.

People are very excited that someone has at long last purchased this property and will be restoring it to its past grandeur in the manner of other New Hampshire grand hotels such as the Mt. Washington, the Balsams, and the Mountain View. It will be closer than all of those, which are fairly far up north. The New Castle/Portsmouth area is beautiful, and a stepping off point to the coast of Maine. I've tried to find out when the opening is, but haven't been able to do so.

Ohhh - thanks for the reminder. I've been meeting to call to book a weekend . Just made the call - rooms are about $250/night for July. They'll be opening May 16. May try to get a better rate. Obviously haven't been there yet but the spot is great and the building is beautiful.

Just posted this on another thread, but thought I'd comment hear in case someone is searching for info.
I took a ride out to Newcastle to check out the "new" Wentworth By-the-Sea. Wow! What a lot of work they've done - and are still doing. Tried to walk into the dining room for a 1:00 pm lunch, but was told there would be a half hour wait. It was a smallish room with a beautiful rotunda, and light and airy feel. The joint was jumping, and a Puma conference was in full swing. Nice looking buffet was set up for them. A couple families were enjoying a nice looking outdoor pool that overlooks the marina. Indoor pool looked lovely, and the spa seems to be in full operation. Couldn't get near a swamped front desk, so I figured it wasn't a good time to ask to see a room. Construction of the back veranda continues, as does condo-style suite units along the lower waterfront. I understand Marriott will soon be opening the marina restaurant, as well. So I'll have to try again!

Spent this past weekend at the Wentworth and for those who remember all the years of neglect, it is certainly a welcome sight. It's a beautiful area and hopefully Marriott will make and keep it a premier resort. It is, at this point in time, a work in progress. The middle of the hotel is all the original with new wings on both ends. The room we had was in the front of the original section with views of the water. It was a small room but very nicely done with beautiful window treatments and best of all the marble bathroom floor was heated. The problem we had was that you could hear the plumbing from the other rooms...can't understand how they could put all new plumbing (and air-conditioning too)in and not be attuned to this. I think the rooms in the original section are configured so that you walk immediately into the room and don't have the bath first so the noise factor is greater especially from inconsiderate guests late at night in the hallways. I believe the newer rooms are with the bath first so there is abit more insulating factor there for the hallway noise. The restaurant was lovely, but the waitress (we had breakfast both days) was inexperienced and the buffet was nothing special. Housekeeping was also not up to the standards that I would expect. They have only been open a month and there is alot of construction still going on. Hopefully they will address these issues and service will be on par with what I would expect from such a beautiful resort and area.

Thanks for the review, Ramona!