Turkey, seafood, and a full Thanksgiving buffet just steps from the Atlantic Ocean? That sounds like a pretty appealing alternative to spending the entire holiday cooking at home.
And at $60 per adult, the seaside celebration offers a different setting for a traditional family meal.
The New Hampshire hotel is hosting a Thanksgiving buffet featuring familiar holiday favorites alongside seafood selections. Guests can enjoy a festive meal in a coastal setting, with the beach and ocean nearby adding a little extra atmosphere to the occasion.
I like the idea of celebrating Thanksgiving somewhere that feels different from the usual dining room. You can enjoy the holiday dishes, spend time with family, and leave the cleanup to someone else.
The oceanfront location makes the experience even more distinctive. After all, Thanksgiving dinner with a coastal backdrop isn’t something everyone gets to enjoy.
Thanksgiving Brunch Lands In The Grand Ballroom This Year
Holiday plans just got easier at Ashworth by the Sea, the oceanfront hotel on the New Hampshire coast. On Thursday, November 26, 2026, it hosts a Thanksgiving Brunch in its Grand Ballroom.
Service runs from 11 AM to 3 PM. That window gives families room to sleep in, watch a parade, or take a morning beach walk first.
Brunch timing is a clever move for Thanksgiving. You get the big meal early and still have the whole afternoon free.
Kids ages 3 to 12 get a lower rate than adults. That makes bringing the whole crew far less painful on the wallet.
The ballroom itself is part of more than 6,000 square feet of newly renovated event space. The hotel splits that space across four flexible rooms used for meetings and weddings.
So this isn’t a cramped side room with folding chairs. It’s a space built for celebrations, now dressed up for turkey day.
A buffet also solves the classic family debate. Grandpa wants turkey, your cousin wants pasta, and the kids want cinnamon rolls.
Everybody wins here. Plan ahead, since a holiday meal at a beachfront hotel tends to be a popular idea.
Turkey And Haddock Share The Spotlight On One Plate
Classic roasted turkey breast anchors the buffet, just as it should. It comes with the trimmings, including warm sage turkey gravy and cranberry sauce.
Then the coast gets involved. New England baked haddock sits on the menu too, which feels exactly right for a hotel facing the Atlantic.
I believe this pairing is the smartest part of the whole lineup. Turkey honors tradition, and haddock honors the setting.
Not everyone at the table loves poultry. Seafood fans finally get a Thanksgiving main course that speaks their language.
Clam chowder joins the party as well. A warm bowl of chowder on a late November day near the ocean sounds hard to argue with.
Vegetarians aren’t left staring at the rolls. Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter cider sauce brings a cozy, seasonal option to the table.
That sauce alone sounds like autumn in a spoon. Brown butter and cider together are a pretty convincing fall argument.
Here’s a tip for strategy. Take small portions of each main first, then return for whatever won your heart.
With turkey, haddock, chowder, and ravioli all waiting, pacing yourself is a real skill. Nobody hands out medals for filling up on round one.
Save Room, Because The Sides And Sweets Keep Coming
Side dishes are where Thanksgiving really shows off, and this menu doesn’t hold back. Boursin cheese Yukon whipped potatoes lead the charge.
Savory herb bread dressing comes next. Brussels sprouts with herbed maple butter might even convert a sprout skeptic or two.
Honey roasted tri-color carrots add color to the plate. Your table photo will look great before anyone takes a bite.
Bread lovers get options too. Dinner rolls and cornbread are both part of the spread.
Morning favorites hold their ground since this is a brunch. An omelette station and warm cinnamon rolls keep breakfast fans happy.
Lighter picks balance things out nicely. An autumn salad and fruit salad give your plate a fresh break between richer bites.
Then comes the finale. A chef’s Thanksgiving dessert display waits for anyone who still has room.
That’s a big if. With this many sides calling your name, leaving space takes real willpower.
My advice is simple and slightly sneaky. Scope out the dessert display early so you know what you’re saving yourself for.
Knowing what’s at the finish line makes it easier to say no to that third roll. Maybe.
Two Fires Couldn’t Stop This 1912 Landmark
Colonel George Ashworth built this hotel in 1912. It became one of the first hotels on Ocean Boulevard in Hampton Beach.
Fate tested it almost immediately. The hotel reportedly burned in 1913 and again in 1915, yet it was rebuilt quickly each time.
That’s stubborn in the best way. Most of us struggle to rebuild a sandcastle after one wave.
For decades, Ashworth by the Sea ran as a seasonal hotel. In 1969, it switched to year-round operation.
The Grandmaison family owned and ran it for 52 years, from 1954 until 2006. A big 1980 expansion doubled the property’s size.
The original building was renovated in 1986. Later owners added more updates, including a renovation of North Tower rooms, the lobby, and hallways in 2007.
Linchris Hotel Corp. bought the hotel in 2016. Today it’s the only year-round, full-service hotel in Hampton Beach.
Its guest list adds even more sparkle. Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Richard Nixon, Johnny Cash, and June Carter reportedly stayed here.
So when you sit down for turkey, you’re in good company. Presidents and country music royalty have walked these same halls.
A Century-Old Hotel With A Surprisingly Fresh Look
Old bones, new style. Recent renovations at Ashworth by the Sea aim for a contemporary and crisp feel.
The lobby has an inviting, modern look. It’s a fun contrast for a building that dates back more than a hundred years.
Guest rooms are individually furnished with contemporary designs. Many come with private balconies offering full or partial ocean views.
A balcony view of the Atlantic after a holiday meal sounds like the ideal food-coma recovery plan. Fresh air helps more than another slice of pie.
Rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, and refrigerators. That fridge is handy for any leftover dessert you sneak upstairs.
There’s even a two-bedroom cottage with a full kitchen and porch. Bigger families might find that setup especially useful.
Room service and daily housekeeping round out the comforts. A 24-hour market covers late-night snack emergencies.
Dog owners can relax too. Pet-friendly rooms welcome dogs up to 75 pounds for an extra fee.
That means the family pup doesn’t have to miss the holiday trip. Just maybe keep the turkey out of reach.
Rainy Day? The Pool Has A Roof That Opens
November in New England can turn chilly fast. Luckily, the indoor heated pool here stays open all year.
It’s glass-enclosed, so you can still see the sea while you swim. That’s a pretty great trick for a beach town in late fall.
In warm weather, a retractable roof opens up. Guests then get ocean air without leaving the pool.
Families with energetic kids will appreciate this one most. A pool can burn off a lot of post-buffet sugar.
The fitness center offers another way to work off that extra helping of whipped potatoes. No judgment if you choose the pool instead.
There’s also a large sun deck overlooking the Atlantic. On a crisp, sunny day, it’s a lovely spot for a breather.
Small extras add up nicely. A lending library and a water bottle filling station sit among the hotel’s amenities.
Grab a book, fill your bottle, and find a seat with a view. That sounds like a solid Thanksgiving afternoon.
Honestly, the indoor pool might be the best weather insurance on the whole coast. Rain, wind, or chill, swimming stays on the schedule.
Three Restaurants Means Breakfast Is Covered Too
Thanksgiving is one day, but hungry people need food the rest of the weekend. Ashworth by the Sea has that handled with three on-site dining spots.
Wharfside Cafe is the easygoing breakfast stop. It serves made-to-order favorites like Belgian waffles, Beach Burritos, Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, and omelets.
A Beach Burrito is a fun name for a morning meal. It’s hard not to be curious about that one.
Breakers Restaurant offers casual oceanfront dining for lunch and dinner. Its menu focuses on fresh seafood, classic New England dishes, and American cuisine.
The Atlantic views come included with your meal. That’s a nice side dish you don’t have to pay extra for.
The Sandbar Rooftop Restaurant is the seasonal star. This outdoor lounge overlooks the water with lunch, dinner, and live tunes.
It’s known for some of the best ocean views on the beach. Seasonal yoga classes also happen on the Sandbar deck, free for guests.
Keep in mind the rooftop works on a seasonal schedule. It’s a strong reason to plan a summer return visit.
The Ocean Is Basically Your Front Yard
Location is the headline perk here. You’ll find the hotel at 295 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, NH 03842, right on the boardwalk.
Direct beach access means the sand sits just steps away. A post-turkey stroll along the shore takes almost no planning.
A November beach walk has its own charm. The summer crowds are gone, and the waves get the stage to themselves.
The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom is about 0.3 miles away. That’s roughly a five-minute walk to the famous concert venue.
Beach chairs are available for guests too. They’re handy when the weather cooperates for some seaside sitting.
Valet parking is offered, which helps in a busy beach town. You won’t need to circle the block hunting for a spot.
New Hampshire’s coastline is short, so this stretch feels extra special. Hampton Beach is one of its best-known spots.
Having a full-service hotel open all year here is a real plus. You get the ocean, the boardwalk, and a warm room any season.
That’s a pretty strong combo for a holiday weekend. Turkey, waves, and zero dishes to wash.
Make A Whole Weekend Out Of The Holiday
One big meal can easily stretch into a long weekend getaway. The area around the hotel gives you plenty of reasons to stay.
Historic Portsmouth sits about 13.1 miles away. Its old streets make a great day trip after the Thanksgiving rush.
The region also offers outlet shopping. Black Friday deals and ocean air could make a fun pairing.
Whale watching and deep-sea fishing are part of the area’s appeal too. Those are seasonal adventures worth checking ahead of time.
Back at the hotel, the event space handles weddings and meetings. Some families might even scout it for a future celebration.
I can’t imagine a better reset after a busy holiday. Brunch, a beach walk, a swim, and a balcony view sound just right.
Ashworth by the Sea has welcomed guests for over a century. It’s fitting that this New Hampshire landmark still gathers people around a big table.
Fires, owners, and decades have all come and gone. The ocean view and the welcome have stayed put.
So grab your stretchy pants and your family. The turkey, the haddock, and the Atlantic are all waiting.
