There’s always a good story in Newport! And our town’s new boutique waterfront hotel, Gardiner House, is handsomely wrapped in its homage to noted Newport painter Howard Gardiner Cushing and the spirit and aesthetics of his oceanside home, The Ledges (1867). From the hotel lobby’s exceptional mural (copied from the entry hall at The Ledges)

to the portrait in the just-opened restaurant, Flora, the spirit of a five-generation noted Newport family has brought our “City by the Sea” a well-deserved touch of the comfort and ambience that one would expect in a private home.

This singular vision and focus lends a compelling air of authenticity that no other hotel in Newport can boast. Co-owners Wirt Blaffer and Newport scion Howard Gardiner Cushing III have now elegantly incorporated another Cushing tale into the mix — the painting by Howard’s great-great grandfather, Howard Gardiner Cushing, of young family friend Flora Payne Whitney (1895).

And the story becomes even more absorbing…very coincidentally, this painting unexpectedly came up for auction a few months before the restaurant opened in June. Was there any doubt as to what this new culinary destination should be called? The whimsical painting now has pride of place overlooking the restaurant, Flora!

While more chicly eccentric murals by Cushing grace the wall of the bar. Are they not dreamy?

Gardiner House, sexy, cooly sophisticated, and loaded with cache’ has been enjoying kudos on an almost weekly basis since its opening a year ago. No surprise, the in-the-know crowd have made this gem of a small boutique hotel the place to be…adding a restaurant to the scene has been a long-awaited happening! Flora well captures the same upbeat, social vibe.

And what’s a good story without a sub-story! The new chef, Madrid-born Miguel Somoza, first began his world-wide career 25 years ago in Newport (at the Vanderbilt Hotel). Since then, he has honed his talents to include month-long fellowships in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe before serving as a private chef for Sir Richard Branson and cooking for the British Royal family. Under his culinary direction, the simple but elegant dishes at Flora capture the essence of Mediterranean flavors, featuring a delightful array of seafood prepared with precision and artistry (don’t miss the signature Paella). Your meal may have you searching for new superlatives!

The menu not only emphasizes the freshest local catch but also showcases a diverse selection of seasonal vegetables, fruits, and herbs, all sourced from nearby farms…to be enjoyed from comfy banquettes with unobstructed harbor views.

Given that this intimate hotel has only 21 guest rooms and suites, the public spaces have been carefully considered and curated. In addition to the second floor Flora and Flora Terrace (which will soon be tented to provide year-round enjoyment) there is the first floor Studio Bar with its lacquered green walls and small, private liquor cabinets over the gracious bar.

While the Sunroom

and Ballroom with its walls of windows provide eye-popping views overlooking the yachts at anchor.

The bonus of the “Harbor Lawn,” a rare-for-this-part-of -the-harbor green space, is that it can host everything from early morn Pilates classes to evening wedding cocktails.

Speaking of cocktails…In case you’re looking for a singular event, scoot over to the Gardiner House website and sign up for Flora’s 4-Course Spanish dinner and wine-pairing on September 20th !! Bon Appetit…

Feature Image Credit: Nick Mele