Artful Hotels: The Vanderbilt
Eye-catching photos of the recent renovation of The Vanderbilt, an early 20th century mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, kept popping up on our radar - an article in Veranda, a nod in Elle Decor, and lots of glimpses on social media. It’d been ten years since our last trip to Newport, so my husband and I decided to make a weekend of it and bring along our spaniel, Thatcher, to the dog-friendly property this spring.
The resort and its 33 rooms were exquisitely reimagined by the Dallas-based multidisciplinary design firm, SWOON. Employing thoughtful aesthetic details, the resulting design honors the rich history of the Gilded Age mansion with an updated, modern sensibility. A vast array of art books hand selected by the designers are displayed on the shelves of the moody-hued Library alongside a collection of framed antique portraits. In the Parlor, the honor bar for guests is accessed through a secret door amidst the room’s muralpaper by Susan Harter and monochromatic ochre paneling. My favorite room was the light-filled Conservatory, where we had breakfast each morning. Filled with plants and accents of green and black, the room overlooks the hotel’s garden through a wall of windows and is flooded with natural light.
Our dog was completely spoiled by the staff with both treats and toys throughout our entire stay, which made us feel even more at ease and welcome in the hotel. I know all three of us would jump at the chance to return to The Vanderbilt once again.
Monochromatic moodiness in the library c/o Sherwin Williams Rock Garden.
The Library chairs are covered in Dedar’s Tiger Mountain, wall scones are Urban Electric.
The light-filled Conservatory features furnishings from Soane Britain and Found Space Studios.
Susan Harter Muralpapers created a custom colorway for their paper which wraps the room’s archways.
The bedrooms and bathrooms have been updated in darker blues and blacks (with brass accents) which lend a timelessly modern feel to the guest rooms.
‘Artful Hotels’ is a travel series featuring hotels and inns that place an emphasis on art and design as an integral part of their guest experience. Having the chance to visit different art-filled properties over the years has greatly informed our aesthetic and the way we prefer to travel. These photographs are from our own personal travels.
Photos by gallery owner, Meredith Perdue.
