NEWPORT, R.I. — A century after first opening its doors, Hotel Viking is celebrating its 100th anniversary as one of Newport’s most recognizable luxury destinations.
The landmark hotel first opened in 1926, during a period when Newport had already established itself as one of America’s premier summer retreats for wealthy families and travelers drawn to the city’s coastal scenery and historic charm.
Born from Newport’s Gilded Age tourism boom
During the height of the Gilded Age, influential families including the Astors and Vanderbilts built sprawling summer estates throughout Newport, particularly along Bellevue Avenue.
As Newport’s popularity grew nationwide, local leaders and prominent summer residents saw an opportunity to create a hotel that could match the city’s growing reputation as an elite vacation destination.
A group of investors that included merchants Harry Titus and James O’Connell, along with summer resident William H. Vanderbilt, helped finance the project through fundraising efforts and public stock sales. They later formed the American Hotels Corporation to oversee construction of the property.
A luxury landmark from the beginning
Construction on the hotel began in 1925 and was completed the following spring. When it opened, Hotel Viking quickly became one of the standout buildings near Bellevue Avenue thanks to its Colonial Revival architecture and upscale accommodations.
The grand opening drew visitors from across Newport, including Navy officers stationed at the nearby Naval War College and wealthy seasonal residents.
Inside, guests found luxury rooms and amenities that helped establish the hotel as a major force in the region’s hospitality industry for decades to come.
Famous guests and decades of change
Over the years, Hotel Viking welcomed several high-profile guests, including jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald and President John F. Kennedy.
The hotel remained a popular destination through much of the 20th century and underwent renovations that added new accommodations and an outdoor pool.
By the 1960s, however, the property experienced ownership changes and periods of decline. Although efforts were made to modernize the hotel, parts of the property eventually fell into disrepair.
Revival and restoration
The hotel saw a major revival in the late 1990s after new ownership launched an $8 million renovation aimed at restoring the property’s historic character.
Additional restoration work followed in 2007, with millions invested to bring guestrooms back to their Gilded Age appearance. Another renovation in 2016 updated the interior design and redesigned gathering spaces to create a more open, social atmosphere.
The most recent renovation project ahead of the centennial included redesigned guestrooms, updated public areas, and new dining concepts, including a French Riviera-inspired seafood restaurant and rooftop bar.
Looking toward the next century
As Newport prepares for another busy tourism season, Hotel Viking continues to stand as one of New England’s best-known historic hotels.
Leaders behind the project say the goal is to preserve the property’s history while preparing it for another century as a centerpiece of Newport’s hospitality scene.
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