Comfort Inn at The Wentworth

The Wentworth is a grand hotel in the European tradition, with a history that reaches back a century and a half to the golden age of New England resorts.- Photo courtesy The Wentworth

The Wentworth, in the charming town of Jackson, recently completed a $4 million dollar renovation of the 150-year-old inn. The sweeping enhancements — to guest accommodations, the lobby, a new tavern and more — signify the latest chapter in the history of this storied hotel nestled in the White Mountains.

The original building on this site, the Thorn Mountain House, was built in 1869 as a wedding present from Jackson resident Joshua Trickey to his youngest daughter, Georgia, and her husband, General Marshall Clark Wentworth, who served in the Civil War. The redevelopment of Thorn Mountain House into Wentworth Hall began in the 1880s under the watchful eye of the general, who had a vision for a hotel on the site and hired New York City architect William A. Bates to perform the master planning of the building to act as the nucleus for a group of nine detached cottages — a system that would offer guests privacy in separate cottages while facilitating social interaction in the public spaces of the main hotel. Bates executed the separate building designs, most of which were Queen Anne in style.

With luxurious appointments like running stream water, steam heat, and telephone and telegraph service, Wentworth Hall was a booming success during the 1880s and 1890s. Sold after General Wentworth died in 1915, the hotel continued to thrive under a series of owners, including E.M. Loew, the movie theater magnate, in the 1950s, when two orchestras played in the casino, which could hold 400 people, and visiting entertainers included Alan King and Harry Belafonte.

After a series of ups and downs, including near demolition, in 1988 The Wentworth was acquired by Fritz Koeppel, a Swiss-trained hotelier whose magnanimous nature endeared him to his staff and community. Following his death, the hotel was purchased from his wife, Ellie, in 2021 by Atlantic Equity Partners, LLC. The renovation and redesign began almost immediately, led by the team at Elder & Ash of Newburyport, Massachusetts, a full-service creative design studio steered by hoteliers Rob Blood and Megan Kennedy, who are known for creating immersive hotel experiences that prioritize a sense of place.

“It was really important that the redesign maintain the elegance and sophistication that has been beloved by our loyal guests for many years while incorporating modern elements and experiences that will appeal to a broader audience with varied interests, including our younger family guests,” says Henry Sirois, general manager of The Wentworth.

Akin to the grand lobbies in the hotel’s heyday, The Wentworth’s welcoming entry area has been remastered using a deep color palette and mix of vintage and new furnishings in dark leathers and textured shades of gray, green and brown. Soft accent throws and lush pillows create a comforting sense of home. Vibrant stained-glass windows, an antique phone booth and a grand fireplace are among the original features maintained or restored.

Adjacent to the hotel lobby, the new Alpine Tavern is a convivial spot for drinks and casual dining with a large oak bar and richly plaid walls. Intimate groups of leather sofas, armchairs, low tables and a fireplace create a cozy vibe. “Even if I wasn’t in hospitality, my favorite thing is hotel bars,” says Sirois, whose invitation to visit I accepted earlier this year. “You can be sure you’re going to have a good experience in a hotel bar. The food is good, the drinks are great, the ambience is very nice.”

Each of the guest rooms and suites reflects a component of the inn’s history while infusing modern-day features and comforts. With neutral hues accented by vivid earth tones like deep sage and crimson red, and dark wood furnishings that bring forth a contemporary feel, every guest room is carefully designed to honor the natural surroundings of the White Mountains. Shiplap focal walls add a light and airy feel to the Main Inn rooms, while Cottage Suites and Spa Suites feature tasteful floral wallpapering reminiscent of a classic New England inn.

Around the lobby and along the inn’s main staircase are framed vintage staff photographs and hotel memorabilia. In the guest rooms and suites, original, handwritten property postcards from years past are repurposed as artwork.

Paying homage to The Wentworth’s deeply rooted past was integral to the extensive renovation and redesign aimed to perpetuate the hotel’s tradition of providing gracious hospitality. “As the new stewards of The Wentworth,” says Jonathan Hoenig, managing partner and CEO of the hotel’s owner, Atlantic Equity Partners, “we are committed to honoring its legacy and the significant role it has played over time in the Jackson community.”