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People interested in “testing the waters” of Star Island are welcome to visit us for one or more nights on a Personal Retreat. This unstructured time to visit and explore Star is a perfect way for first-time and repeat visitors to become familiar with the Island.

All the rush and fuss of mainland life is left behind when you arrive on Star Island. Enter the Oceanic Hotel and step back in time to a simpler, less hectic era. Rooms are simply furnished and meals are hearty and served family-style. You might swim, play tennis, rent a row boat, hike around the island, visit the marine lab, or choose your favorite rocking chair on the porch and watch boats sail into Gosport Harbor.

The day begins with coffee service on the porch before breakfast. If you get hungry between meals, sandwiches and snacks are available at the snack bar. Generally rooms do not have private baths and showers are available every other day — Sustainable Star practices. Special accommodations are available for the mobility impaired.

Our season runs from mid-June to mid-September.

Questions about Personal Retreats? Send an email to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

How to register for a personal retreat

Three Simple Steps

1. Look at the calendar below to see when a room may be available
2. Fill out the secure online registration form. Be sure to answer all questions thoroughly.
3. Upon receipt of your information, one of our staff will contact you at the email address you provide in your registration within 72 hours to confirm availability for your registration and to ask any questions should the need arise. If you do not receive an email from one of our staff members within 72 hours of submitting your registration, please email hidden; JavaScript is required for assistance.

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Retreat Availability Calendar

Fuel Surcharge

Due to the dramatic jump in diesel prices this season and limited budgetary resources, Star Island’s Board of Directors will likely implement a modest fuel surcharge
around $2 per night stayed on the island. This charge will be for all paying guests regardless of age, nights of stay or type of guest. Children under 6 years of age are not paying guests and therefore will not be charged a fuel surcharge. The surcharge will be noted separately on your bill as you check out.

Room and Board Rates

Rates for the 2012 season are coming soon.

Room and board rates are per person and include all meals. Adult rates are determined by room type (see accommodations page for details) and youth rates are based on age.

Boats and parking

Personal Retreaters must make boating reservations through The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company (ISSCO) for passage on the M/V Thomas Laighton that leaves from their dock on Market Street in Portsmouth. The Laighton is a 90-foot vessel with three decks, two of which are fully enclosed and heated. It has the capacity to hold 300 people and has many amenities, including a snack bar, several washrooms, comfortable deck chairs and is wheelchair-accessible.

At ISSCO, you will be directed to an area to leave luggage and to another area on the dock for parking. Make your plans so that you arrive at the dock about an hour and a half before your boat is scheduled to depart. Because the dock is located in downtown Portsmouth, you will be able to explore the town and grab lunch at a local eatery after check-in, so long as you return to the dock 25 minutes before departure to begin boarding. Directions to the dock in Portsmouth.

Visit www.islesofshoals.com or call (603) 431-5500 to make boating reservations.