rough point

This was a tour offered to show how the help kept the house during winter over the Christmas period when the owners were not around. Although it was not possible to see the furniture as it was covered up we were still take around the ground floor to view the rooms and could see the paintings and art and amazing wallpapers. Coming to the end of the tour we arrived at the servants dining area which l'm not sure what I expected but were offered a few tastes of the Christmas food and drink that the servants would have had for their Christmas meal. We were given a collection of recipes from the cook from way back which was a nice touch and finished with a walk around the yard alone the ocean front and watched as people walked along the Cliff walk.

Newport is famous for its mansions. They are architecturally and historically interesting. In addition, they are full of museum-quality treasures. However, Rough Point stands out among them.Located at the far end of Bellevue Avenue, the mansion is set on nicely landscaped grounds overlooking the rocky coast line. It is big and impressive. Inside is a top quality collection of European and Asian art.However, what makes Rough Point stand out is that the house has been kept the way it was when heiress Doris Duke lived there. You feel like you are visiting a home rather than a museum.For a fuller review with photos see http://www.beyondships3.com/newport---rough-point.html

Thank you for visiting Rough Point and taking the time to leave a review. You visited us during UnDecked Halls, which is advertised as an authentic look at a Newport mansion in winter and is a limited house tour. It's very different from our regular house tour during our season (April to November). We greatly appreciate your feedback and hope you'll be able to visit us and Newport in 2015.

Lockett, so happy to hear from you on TripAdvisor! We're so glad you finally had the chance to see Rough Point and that you enjoyed your visit. We look forward to seeing you again in 2016!

Enjoyable to see inside the home and to walk the grounds. Interesting to see the clothes. This is a guided tour. Our guide was very pleasant and informative. It would have been nice to see more of the rooms for the $25 charge. The tour lasts about 75 minutes.

Best part of tour was our guide who was both thoughtful, thoroughand interesting. House manages to be much darker than I expected for such a bon vivant occupant. Loved the topiary camels on the lawn especially their sedum and grass necks.

Lots of Art. It was interesting to know that Doris Duke actually used the house until her death. her clothing display upstairs was a nice surprise

While in Newport, I had time to visit two houses, so I went to The Breakers and Rough Point. The beauty of Rough Point is that it was lived in as a private residence more recently than the older, gilded-age mansions. I also enjoyed having a real guide as opposed to a headset - my tour was led by a delightful woman named Mary Jane - very nice and well informed! The home is as it was when Doris Duke lived there and was last in residence - it is a fascinating place with interesting architecture and design and an intriguing collection of furniture and art! And - there is no shortage of fascinating stories about Ms. Duke and her possessions! Definitely include Rough Point when planning your Newport mansion tours!

Rough Point is one magnificent home that feels like you can unpack your bags and settle in! The tour was great as the docent provided interesting bits of information on Doris Duke. The back overlooking the ocean is one of the best views around!

Absolutely gorgeous views both from inside and out.It's very hard to imagine the wealth of Doris Duke,yet her home seemed very welcoming.The views around her property are amazing.

One of the most beautiful, livable home there. Doris Duke had several homes, but lived here most of the time. At the end of the tour they show clothes that she wore and pictures of her in them. They are right up to todays fashion for the 'Red Carpet. The house is spread out on a point, so you have a wonderful view out of any window..

Beautiful home and 75 min tour led by a knowledgable guide. Well worth your time. This home is just how Doris Duke left it and you really get a view of her taste and personality. There are some beautiful furnishings, exquisite plaster work and some important artwork. Stunning views of the coastline! It's a house not to be missed.

What a wonderful home/mansion. You see how the 1% lived in the early part of our centuary right up to the 1990's. It is amazing the artworks in the home. The property is the most fantastic on the entire Newport Coast. Doris Duke did so many wonderful things through her charitable works. Yet, it seems that there was something missing in her life that you feel sadness for her. As much sadness that we can feel for a billionairness lol.

Thank you for visiting Rough Point and taking the time to leave a review. We are sorry to hear about your experience and are glad our staff was able to help resolve your issue. Our guides strive to be knowledgeable about Rough Point and the collections it houses. Thank you again for your review and for visiting Rough Point.

There are so many mansions to visit in Newport but this is more like a house. Unlike the other mansions where the original owners went broke and sold things off (so the current decor is an "interpretation"), Rough Point is exactly as Doris Duke left it when she was alive, so you really feel like you have insight into her life. This is also a mandatory guided tour so you can lots of insight into the house, it's furnishings and art, Doris Duke, and Newport. I did a bunch of mansions and I would recommend this as my #1 to visit. It is not opulent like the Breakers etc. but is a great counterpoint to the others because it is so different.