Rye’s Star Island Connection: The Oceanic Hotel’s 150 Years at Sea

Explore the fascinating history of the grand Oceanic Hotel on Star Island, part of Rye, NH - one of New England’s last remaining Victorian-era resort hotels. Discover the clever scheme that sparked its creation and the spirited rivalry with the famed Appledore House just across the harbor, as hundreds once packed their trunks to summer at the Isles of Shoals. Learn how devastating fires destroyed both hotels, and marvel at the ingenuity that led to the Oceanic’s rebirth, preserving its legacy on storied Star Island. Today, visitors continue to be drawn by the island’s natural beauty and enduring sense of place. Ongoing sustainability and preservation efforts on Star Island ensure that this remarkable setting, and the Oceanic itself, will be a protected part of the Rye community for generations to come.