When I was a girl in the back seat of the family VW van heading to and from our ski weekends, one scene captured my imagination every time.
Back in the 1970s, the Wentworth in Jackson, N.H. stood vacant, dark, run down and yet somehow still glamorous.
I’d think: I bet some rich person built that for his family back in the golden age (Pretty much on the nose: The original Wentworth was built in 1869 as a wedding gift for a wealthy man’s daughter).
I’d imagine it as the scene of posh parties and wealthy visitors. Correct again: The Wentworth was one of the most beloved of the many grand hotels in Mount Washington Valley in the late 19th century and then, at the start of the 20th, a summer draw for wealthy Jews, who were often banned by resorts because of their faith.
Even in its decay, I could tell it was once special. Wouldn’t it be nice, I’d think, if it was open and made beautiful once again?
Dreams come true. The Wentworth Jackson (thewentworth.com) has been reopened since the mid-1980’s. After being purchased by Atlantic Equity Partners in 2021, it was treated to a multi-million dollar refresh and upgrade. The result: The Wentworth is posh, pristine and an historic gem.
I got a chance for a late winter visit recently.
The Wentworth starts out with the best amenity a resort can have: Location. Tucked into the village of Jackson, it nestles up to Jackson XC (one of the world’s most beloved cross country ski areas) on one side and the famed – and protected – Jackson Falls on the other.
Its main building is an inn setting with cottages around the grounds for a more private stay. We chose the main building where, in our suite, we had plenty of space and our own massive hot tub.
The main lobby is open and comfortable with a crackling fire. Paintings dot the walls in the lobby – as well as the hallways on the upper floors. There are original stained glass windows, and visitors will find lots of historic information throughout.
Next to Jackson Falls is a cool little mini outdoor museum showing how the region developed and how the hotel played a role
The hallway on our floor featured a guest pantry with free coffee, juice and muffins in the morning, candy, snacks and drinks all day and at night the highlight of it all: Fresh baked cookies with house made ice cream.
We dined one night at Alpine Tavern, the hotel’s more casual bar where our bartender made us delicious and locally inspired cocktails and where the casual fare like the fondue comes from local sources as well. We loved the comfortable leather chairs at the bar itself. Outside the bar stood a pavilion that in this winter season was converted to a skating rink. I could imagine my grandkids skating there.
The next night we dined at the hotel’s 1869 Room restaurant. I’d been told by local friends it is a must even for folks not staying there. The chef and team lean into local fare and it shows. We had breakfast there daily – a full buffet on weekends and a continental with plated choices on weekdays – all included in your stay.
We skied and shopped and bopped all around the Valley. On the second day I realized that the Wentworth is the kind of place you could pull in, park your car and never use it. Within easy walking distance is that cross country skiing, the village of Jackson, the fun J-Town Deli, a beautiful walk up and back down Jackson Falls, and nature itself.
Did it live up to those long ago dreams? After skiing hard in soft snow, we hopped into our private hot tub, cookies and ice cream from the pantry as our fuel, and soaked in the view of Jackson Village, the cute historic post office and other lovely sites spread out below.
Now this is a special setting. Golf, hiking, relaxing and local sourced food in the summer? I’ll be back to realize that youthful dream once more.
