Graceful New Incarnation for Historic Vanderbilt Hall

Like the mythical Phoenix, historic Vanderbilt Hall rises again with grace, as the iconic European hotel brand Grace Hotels brings its concept of elegant simplicity stateside with a re-launch of the historic mansion hotel in Newport. Henceforward, the hotel will be called the Vanderbilt Grace, the first Grace Hotel in North America. A new dining concept, Muse by Chef Jonathan Cartwright, known for his work at the White Barn Inn in Maine, will open this summer.

Principals of the Grace Hotels, CEO Philippe Requin, Vanderbilt Grace General Manager, Matt Parent, and Chef Cartwright were on hand for the official christening and were warmly welcomed on a chilly afternoon by Newport Mayor Steve Waluk, President of the Newport Convention and Visitors Bureau Evan Smith, and head of the Rhode Island Economic Development Council Keith Stokes. As Master of Ceremonies, Gareth Zundel, Head of Communications for Libra Group Services Ltd., introduced each speaker in turn. Costas Vafopoulos, the CEO of Libra Hospitality, the holding company for the hospitality interests of Grace Hotels' parent company, the Libra Group, enjoyed the presentation ceremony, listening attentively.

Pouring champagne before the ceremony

Vanderbilt Grace was acquired by Grace Hotels in late 2010 from entrepreneur Peter de Savary. The grand hotel will keep the stylish lobby décor, informed by a fine collection of American illustration art, which Mr. de Savary garnered (see

Vanderbilt Hall’s New Incarnation “Too Marvelous For Words”). Grace Hotels plans to imprint its signature style within the hotel.

The Vanderbilt Grace comprises 33 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a cocktail bar plus a state of the art spa and fitness centre with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The building dates from 1909 and has a rich, glamorous, and highly debated history: built by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, it was one of many mansions in the area owned by the Vanderbilt family and maintains its original Beaux Arts features, to be enhanced by the elegant simplicity of Grace Hotels.

Gareth Zundel introduces Matt Parent, Philippe Requin,

Chef Jonathan Cartwright,and Newport Mayor Steve Waluk

The new gourmet restaurant, Muse, will open this summer. Recently appointed as Grace Hotels’ Group Chef de Cuisine, Jonathan Cartwright is developing menus at Muse that are a combination of New England ingredients with a modern take on traditional European cuisine. Chef Cartwright is best known as Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux at Vanderbilt Grace’s sister hotel, The White Barn Inn in Kennebunk, Maine. Previously, he held positions at The Savoy. London, The Four Seasons, Beverly Hills and The Pierre Hotel, New York.

Toasting the new Grace Hotel in Newport were David Ford, Ellen Barnes, Ruth Orthwein, Mary and Douglas Riggs, John Grosvenor, author Rockwell Stensrud, Ivan Colon of The Preservation Society, Kathy Staab, Judy Cutler and David Rosenberg. Costas Vafopoulos spoke with Stacie Mills and Ruth Orthwein. The upper story guest rooms were not on view, but Elizabeth Tiedemann perused room images on display from other Grace Hotels. The signature Grace Cocktail, a divine mixture of pear vodka and pear infusion, was served, and guests admired the sprawling first floor suite, which is the equivalent of a house in its size and appointments, the terrace room, the Alva Vanderbilt fireplace, and the bar.