Wentworth By the Sea Hotel Illuminates the Holidays with More Magical Moments
Portsmouth, NH (PRWEB) November 16, 2013 -- Wentworth By the Sea, the historic grand hotel set in a winter wonderland of its own, celebrates the holidays with special events, treats and packages from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. The only New Hampshire hotel on the Conde Nast Traveler list of “Best Hotels in the World,” Wentworth By the Sea is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its renaissance, by adding extra flourishes designed to make the holidays even more magical. A fireside reading and book-signing by the author of A Child’s Christmas in New England, a teddy bear collection drive for the local fire department and dramatic new holiday décor offer new opportunities to establish cherished family traditions.
On Friday, November 29, 2013 at 5:30 pm, the hotel will host author Robert Sullivan for a reading and signing of his new book, A Child’s Christmas in New England, which Publishers Weekly thinks may be “one of this year’s holiday favorites.” Robert Sullivan and the illustrator of the new book, Glenn Wolff, are the team that created Flight of the Reindeer, the holiday classic that sold 190,000 copies and became the basis for A Christmas Secret, starring Beau Bridges. The new book, built around Robert’s 1950s and 60s childhood memories of Christmas in West Chelmsford and Lowell, MA is getting media attention from the Boston Globe, Parade and Reader’s Digest. Robert Sullivan is a 33-year veteran of Time, Inc. and is publications and managing editor of Life Books. The reading will take place next to the fireplace and the lobby Christmas tree at Wentworth By the Sea. The event is free. Books will be available for purchase.
Tuesday, December 3, Wentworth’s “Illumination” makes a festive occasion of lighting up the grand Victorian hotel, symbolizing the beginning of the holiday season in New Castle. A free, family event from 5-7 pm, Wentworth welcomes strolling carolers, a horse-drawn carriage with Santa, the Portsmouth High School Marching Band Ensemble, glittering ice sculptures, costumed members of the Great Bay Ballet “An 1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker” cast and complimentary holiday refreshments. This year, the holiday décor sparkles a little brighter with the addition of a 20-foot lighted tree on the grounds and a dramatic Victorian-style tree in the main lobby. As an extra gift of the season, the hotel is partnering with the New Castle Fire Department to collect new teddy bears for disadvantaged children on the Seacoast. Members of the community and guests are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped stuffed bears to place under the lobby Christmas tree, where they will be collected and distributed by the New Castle Fire Department.
“We really wanted to give back a little more this year, to the community that is the spirit that enlivens the hotel,” said Michael O’Shaughnessy, Wentworth General Manager. “We were just named again to the Conde Nast Traveler list of the Best 100 Hotels in the World and that does not happen without enduring support from everyone associated with this hotel, from our outstanding team of associates to those who count themselves ‘regulars.’ We think bringing a smile to the face of a child might be the best ‘thank you’ gift anyone could receive.”
The cherished tradition among the hotel’s holiday decorations – its 6-foot tall Wentworth Gingerbread House – will be unveiled in time for the Illumination and is a popular spot for photos throughout the holiday season. Each day in the decorated Lobby, Wentworth offers complimentary holiday-inspired treats, including roasted chestnuts, sugar cookies and hot-mulled cider.
Wentworth’s “Winter Wonderland Brunch” is presented on Sundays, December 8, 15 and 22 from 10 am-2 pm includes elaborate holiday decorations, seasonal figures, a visit from a jolly Santa Claus, a massive gingerbread house and costumed “Portsmouth Nutcracker” characters.
On Christmas Day, Wednesday December 25th, the hotel restaurant SALT Kitchen + Bar presents Christmas Dinner, 1 pm to 10 pm, featuring a four-course prix fixe dinner, $44.95 for adults; $16.95 for children under 12. In addition, the hotel’s popular, family Christmas Brunch is offered in the festively-decorated Wentworth Ballroom, 11 am - 5 pm; $44.95* for adults and $19.95* for kids 12 and under. The Holiday Package (online booking code XMA), with rates starting at $259*, includes deluxe accommodations, welcome amenity, Christmas Day dinner and buffet breakfast. Stay Christmas Eve or Christmas Night, with a Winter Harvest breakfast the next morning.
Portsmouth, a National Trust “Distinctive Destination” is filled with unique shops, craftsmen and the festive spirit of Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth, named one of the “Top 100 Events in North America.” The month-long, city-wide celebration that caused one writer to dub Portsmouth/New Castle “the Christmas capital of North America.” Shopping is always tax-free in New Hampshire; and for those who want to give the gift of the recipient’s choosing, Wentworth gift certificates are available in various denominations.
Joining the Vintage Christmas spirit, Wentworth offers a Holiday Shopping Package that includes luxurious overnight accommodations and breakfast for two people with a $50 shopping credit applied at check-out (available November 1 – December 25, 2013). The package starts at $299 per night.* (For reservations call 866-240-6313 or book online using booking code SHO).
Stephanie Seacord, Wentworth By the Sea Hotel & Spa, http://www.wentworth.com, +1 (603) 772-1835, [email protected]
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