Honoring Celia Thaxter: The Spirit Behind Hotel Thaxter
A Boutique Inn with Deep Roots
Nestled in the heart of the Seacoast, Hotel Thaxter is more than just a boutique inn—it’s a tribute to the life and legacy of poet Celia Thaxter, whose evocative verses captured the spirit of the sea and the soul of the Isles of Shoals.
A Name That Pays Tribute
Our name honors Thaxter’s enduring presence in New England’s literary and artistic heritage. Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Celia spent much of her life on Appledore Island, the largest of the nine isles, where her family ran a popular hotel.
An Island Garden Like No Other
Her garden there was as much a work of art as her poetry—an island oasis that inspired some of the most iconic writers and artists of the 19th century. The garden was perched beside her family’s hotel, the Appledore House, established in 1848. Amid the stark, wind-swept beauty of the island, Celia cultivated a lush and colorful refuge filled with poppies, hollyhocks, delphinium, phlox, and nasturtiums. She tended it with both a gardener’s care and a poet’s soul, writing about its blooms in vivid, lyrical prose. Her poems, also centered on ocean life and island solitude, continue to resonate with lovers of nature and art alike.
A Legacy Preserved
Celia’s garden became famous not only through her own words—especially in her beloved book An Island Garden (1894), illustrated by American impressionist Childe Hassam—but also through the many artists, musicians, and writers who visited her there. Hassam painted several scenes of the garden, capturing its vibrant beauty in a way that has helped preserve its legacy.
A faithful reconstruction of Celia Thaxter’s garden is maintained on Appledore Island by the Shoals Marine Laboratory. Each summer, visitors can tour the garden and walk among the same flower beds that once inspired her poetry—a living tribute to a woman who found her voice among the wild roses and sea winds of the Atlantic.
Hotel Thaxter Today
Hotel Thaxter carries her name forward as a serene luxury hotel for travelers seeking quiet beauty. Minimalist Art Deco décor is the backdrop for Celia Thaxter’s poetry, art and inspiration. Copies of An Island Garden are located in each room’s bedside table and are also available for sale. Our collection of over 60 works of art feature stunning paintings by local artists, displayed throughout our common areas, hallways, and within every guest room. Some pieces are available for purchase, offering you the chance to bring home a unique part of New England’s artistic heritage.
Step Into a Story
If you’re searching for a Portsmouth, NH boutique hotel that connects beauty, history, and literary charm, Hotel Thaxter invites you to step into a story—one woven with sea breeze, timeless beauty, and the spirit of a poet who once called this corner of the world her muse.
