When it comes to creating favorable impressions, a destination literally gilded by the Astors and Vanderbilts is pretty much as close to a sure thing as it gets.
Newport, R.I., evokes everything that was over-the-top opulent in Gilded Age America. After all, the 1974 film The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford, was shot at Rosecliff mansion here, as were a number of other movies demanding an upper class air.
“We tend to do a lot of Great Gatsby-themed events at Rosecliff,” says Laurie Stroll, president of Newport Hospitality (www.newporthospitality.com), a local DMC. “We have actors and actresses in period costumes, and supply the boas and beads for the ladies and the caps for the men, and have a cigar girl come after dinner. This has become over the years a little niche for us, for boards of directors meetings, executive retreats and incentive programs—people who are trying to impress attendees.”
Another mansion venue, Marble House, offers a ballroom that is literally gilded in gold leaf and can seat up to 100.
“Believe it or not, it can be very intimate for 30 to 40 people, with cocktails overlooking the water,” she says, adding that the mansion was actually a 39th birthday present from William K. Vanderbilt to his wife.
If renting a Gilded Age mansion still leaves your group wanting, Stroll recommends taking advantage of another unique Newport offering: America’s Cup-style racing yachts.
“The big thing that sets us apart from other destinations is that we have the 12-Metre America’s Cup sailing yachts,” she says. “Newport being the sailing capital of the world, we’re the only place where you can charter as many 12-Metre boats. We’ve done as many as 11-yacht regattas, and each hold between 12 and 14 people. This is probably the highlight of a group’s stay when they come here. It’s the ultimate in team building. It’s really our premiere product.”
Many groups will don hats and jackets with specific colors, and have a chase boat follow to take photos. Classic powerboats are also available if sailing a racing yacht seems a little too labor intensive, and if the price point for a 12-Metre is a little steep, groups can also rent pleasure sailing boats.
According to Stroll, besides being just plain rich, Newport is also rich in special event venues and easy to navigate, as it were.
“I think we have more special venues to do events than probably any other destination you’ll find,” she says. “We have venues on the water, such as the Newport Yachting Center, where people can do clam bakes, and there’s a new venue called The Regatta Place on Goat Island that has a really upscale, ‘yachting’ feel to it.
“The thing that sets Newport apart is that as a community we’re very small—everyone in town works very well together,” Stroll continues. “Everything is close by. There are a lot of venues that are within walking distance from hotels, and if they do need transportation, we can use trolleys or classic cars—or boats.”
Other group event options include the International Tennis Hall of Fame (www.tennisfame.com), which features 13 grass courts and can also be used for croquet team-building programs; Fort Adams State Park, where Newport’s famed jazz festival takes place; Newport and Sakonnet vineyards for wine-tasting and tours; Bannister’s Wharf, with dining and 20 shops and galleries; and numerous historic waterfront restaurants, including the White Horse Tavern (www.whitehorsetavern.com), which is billed as the oldest continually running tavern in the country, having first opened its doors in 1673.
