The Hampton Union,  August 23rd, 2014

Reprinted in The Portsmouth Herald Business Section August 26th, 2014

• • Victoria Inn owner: ‘It was meant to be’

    New owner of Victoria Inn said it was ‘meant to be’

• HAMPTON — When Tracey Dewhurst decided it was time to return to the hospitality industry, she originally swore off bed and breakfasts as a possibility because she wasn’t a “morning person.”

• 

  Ioanna Raptis/iraptis@seacoastonline.comA look inside the Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast and Pavilion.

  By Kyle Stucker

  Posted Aug. 23, 2014 at 2:00 AM

  HAMPTON — When Tracey Dewhurst decided it was time to return to the hospitality industry, she originally swore off bed and breakfasts as a possibility because she wasn’t a “morning person.”

  That was the product of staying up until 3 a.m. every day while running La Bec Rouge at Hampton Beach for 15 years. Dewhurst had a change of heart, though, when she discovered a small piece of artwork “lost” among the exterior features of the Victoria Inn.

  Dewhurst “got chills” when, during a property visit with a real estate agent, she recognized the painting that adorned the wall. It was one her late mother, Sylvia, an avid artist, painted in 1971, and Dewhurst took it as a sign because her mother never sold any of her work.

  “I still get chills when I think about it,” Dewhurst said. “No one knew how it got there. Everything at that point fell together. It was meant to be. It was like she wanted me to be here.”

  Dewhurst purchased the Victoria Inn in January 2013, and in the months since, she has made a number of improvements and changes while trying to usher in a new era at the 19th-century Victorian home.

  The changes have included a roof replacement, a complete overhaul of the bathrooms in each of the inn’s seven rooms, new gourmet chefs and cooking staff, a service bar, a new paint job, the first-ever heating system on the inn’s third floor, and a number of other upgrades designed to make the Victoria Inn more akin to a “modern hotel” without losing its quaint and historic charm, according to Dewhurst.

  A number of pieces of antique furniture have remained, and they and Dewhurst’s mother’s artwork are among the key decorations in the inn’s rooms.

  “It’s a great old Victorian house from the 1800s,” she said. “We’re trying to keep that. It seems like Hampton doesn’t have a lot of homes (like that) in the area.”

  Dewhurst is also trying to make the 430 High St. property more than just a hotel.

  She has allowed a number of charity and nonprofit groups to hold events there at no cost, a partnership with Chez Boucher Culinary Training Center has resulted in cooking classes and competition-style lessons at the inn, and she is working with the town’s Parks and Recreation Department to host some of its events and activities.

  Those various efforts as well as weddings and company outings are a part of Dewhurst’s efforts to remake the inn and its covered pavilion into a community-friendly hub.

  “The space just lends itself to so much,” said Dewhurst, who earned a master’s degree in creative writing at the University of New Hampshire just before purchasing the Victoria Inn in 2013. “I want it to be a go-to place for the community when they need something.”

  Dewhurst said Hampton doesn’t have a “lot of function space,” so she believes this could have a big impact, particularly because the inn is located between the downtown area and Hampton Beach.

  Those activities could also help bring other big changes to the Victoria Inn, as Dewhurst said she can one day see the hotel hosting Christmas parties and other offseason activities in the pavilion — which she eventually hopes to fully enclose and make a year-round function hall — or in a built-up version of the inn.

  “That would be wonderful,” she said. “That could be neat and pretty beautiful.”

   

   

  The Hampton Union, July 4th, 2014

  • • Hampton has everything for the perfect wedding

  To the Editor:Our son was married this spring at Trinity Church in Hampton. It was a wonderful and joyous day in so many ways.We began our celebration (after the rehearsal) with a scrumptious dinner in the Tuscan Room at Bonta Restaurant and Bar. The food was divine and the service exceptional. Planning the menu and arranging the evening with Holly from Bonta was a breeze.The reception was at Hampton’s Victoria Inn. Tracey Dewhurst, proprietor, was gracious and accommodating. She worked with chef Reno Diehl to design a menu that met the dietary needs of all present. Everyone left with a full belly and a happy face. John Bassett, the bartender, and servers Beth Bassett and Patrick Hayes were exceptional. Their smiles and attentiveness to all the guests was above and beyond.The enticing cupcake tower was created by Danielle Thibodeau at The Wicked Sweet Sugar Boutique in downtown Hampton. The exotic flavors and beauty to match were a delight. The lovely flowers at the church, carried by the bride and her attendant, and at the inn were all designed and created by Maria at Seacoast Florist.The ease of coordinating the florist and sweet shop with the church and inn was flawless. Our family had a beautiful day, and it was all created by our local businesses. Everything we need is right here in our backyard.Phoebe and Robert Bischoff

  Hampton-North Hampton PATCH, October 2, 2013

  Ribbon Cutting at The Victoria Inn
  By Pat Morgenstern (Star Patcher)
  October 2, 2013 at 1:30pm

  Ribbon Cutting at The Victoria Inn
  The ribbon cutting at The Victoria Inn was a celebration and a showcase for owner Tracey Dewhurst, innkeeper Pamela Ferguson, the staff, the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, the business partners who supported the purchase and renovation of the Inn, and last but certainly not least, the Inn’s official greeter “Lincoln”. This beautifully decorated bed and breakfast inn offers luxurious accommodations for all occasions. The Pavilion is the ultimate party spot for weddings, family gatherings, showers, celebrations of all kinds. Whether you need space for an intimate event or a full scale event, the Victoria Inn is the place to be. Follow the schedule of upcoming events at The Victoria Inn, visit their website www.thevictoriainn.com.
  The Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast and Garden Pavilion has six renovated Guest rooms and two suites featuring Jacuzzi tubs, custom showers, flat panel televisions, afternoon tea and cookies, Gourmet breakfast with multiple menu options, Gilcrist and Soames Bath Products, high quality sheets and towels and concierge services to cater to your every need. Discounts available for the entire house rental– perfect for family reunions or small conferences. The
  meeting space can accommodate groups up to twenty people and the common area of the Inn is suited for private parties of 10 to 70 guests. Custom Christmas party menus available starting at $12.95 per person with full bar set-up and staff. The Garden Pavilion is an ideal spot for weddings and larger parties from Spring to Fall with off-peak discounts available. Stop in for tea and cookies and a tour of the renovated Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast and Garden Pavilion. Hampton Chamber member discounts of 15% on all guest rooms.

   

   Seacoast Online, November 12th, 2013

  Renovated Victoria Inn under new ownership

  HAMPTON — The recent grand opening party at the Victoria Inn was a celebration and a showcase for owner Tracey Dewhurst, innkeeper Pamela Ferguson, the staff, the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, the business partners who supported the purchase and renovation of the Inn, and the Inn’s official greeter “Lincoln.”

  HAMPTON — The recent grand opening party at the Victoria Inn was a celebration and a showcase for owner Tracey Dewhurst, innkeeper Pamela Ferguson, the staff, the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, the business partners who supported the purchase and renovation of the Inn, and the Inn’s official greeter “Lincoln.”

  This beautifully decorated bed-and-breakfast inn offers luxurious accommodations for all occasions. The Pavilion is the ultimate party spot for weddings, family gatherings, showers, celebrations of all kinds. Whether you need space for an intimate event or a full scale event, the Victoria Inn is the place to be.

  The Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast and Garden Pavilion has six renovated guest rooms and two suites featuring Jacuzzi tubs, custom showers, flat panel televisions, afternoon tea and cookies, gourmet breakfast with multiple menu options, Gilcrist and Soames bath products, high quality sheets and towels, and concierge services to cater to your every need.

  Discounts are available for the entire house rental, which is perfect for family reunions or small conferences.

  The meeting space can accommodate groups up to twenty people and the common area of the Inn is suited for private parties of 10 to 70 guests.

  Custom Christmas party menus are available starting at $12.95 per person with full bar set-up and staff. The Garden Pavilion is an ideal spot for weddings and larger parties from Spring to Fall with off-peak discounts available.

  For more information visit their Web site at www.thevictoriainn.com.