A landscape made for relaxing at the Bristol House | Bristol, RI, Hotels & Inns
Photo Credit : Courtesy of Bristol House Bed and Breakfast
Famed as the home of the country’s oldest Fourth of July celebration, the seaside town of Bristol, RI, overflows with New England heritage and maritime tradition. Visitors can explore rural life in the 1790s at the Coggeshall Farm Museum; wander a grand country estate at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum; and see some of the world’s finest yacht designs at the Herreshoff Marine Museum/America’s Cup Hall of Fame. And that’s just for starters. Bristol is filled with ways to while away an afternoon, a weekend, or longer — from shopping at a bevy of locally owned boutiques to soaking up the sun at Colt State Park. Want to plan your own getaway to this classic coastal spot? We’ll get you started with a roundup of favorite Bristol, RI, hotels and inns.
Herreshoff Marine Museum/America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol, RI Photo Credit : Discover Newport
Completed in 2002 and recently renovated, this 44-room boutique hotel was built on the site of an early 19th-century rum distillery. Nowadays the main source of intoxication is the spectacular view of Bristol Harbor — sailboat sightings included – that the hotel’s wharfside location provides. It’s also within easy walking distance of shopping and dining spots; the popular DeWolf Tavern, in fact, is right next door. Named a 2009 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Hotel That Deserves a Toast.”
King Suite with Fireplace at the Bristol Harbor Inn | Bristol, RI, Hotels & Inns Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Bristol Harbor Inn
Four colorful, comfy guest rooms are just the beginning of reasons to linger on-site at this tidy little Cape Cod B&B. Inside, you’ll find a dining room and common areas that feel like home; outside is a lovely patio surrounded by gardens. But many guests say the biggest enticement is the food made by innkeeper Kathleen Seguin, who attended both the Culinary Institute of America and the Apicus School in Italy. Her three-course breakfasts showcase local, seasonal ingredients in things like berry croustade and potato bacon gratin with roasted cherry tomatoes.Named a 2012 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Breakfast.”
A landscape made for relaxing at the Bristol House | Bristol, RI, Hotels & Inns Photo Credit : Courtesy of Bristol House Bed and Breakfast
To commune with nature without roughing it, seek out this classic New England farmstead nestled into 127 peaceful, pristine acres on Mount Hope Bay, an arm of Narragansett Bay. Built on land that has been cultivated since the 1680s, the 18th-century farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Today three historic buildings on the property hold a total of 12 rooms, each with private bath and most furnished with antiques. A country breakfast is served on weekends from May through October featuring locally grown produce and eggs. Named a 2014 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Historic Farm Stay.”
Built in the late 1790s for Deputy Gov. William Bradford, this eye-catching wedding cake–style mansion is a Bristol landmark that you can actually spend the night in. Though outfitted with modern niceties like air-conditioning and Wi-Fi, this B&B retains an air of historical elegance in its five rooms and suites, three of which have original wide-plank flooring and (nonworking) fireplaces. It’s right around the corner from the grand house museum Linden Place and the Bristol Art Museum, and a mere block from the waterfront.
The Bradford Suite at the Bradford-Dimond-Norris House | Bristol, RI, Hotels & Inns Photo Credit : Courtesy of Bradford-Dimond-Norris House
Settle into an Adirondack chair perched on the lawn rolling down to the water at Point Pleasant Inn, and you can pretend to be waiting for your ship (or luxury yacht, more like) to come in. Surrounded by 25 acres of grounds and boasting sweeping harbor views, this c. 1940 mansion resort offers seven distinctly different room options, from the bungalow-like Captain’s Quarters to the expansive Narragansett Suite, with 180-degree water views and his-and-hers bathrooms. Among the other amenities are a swimming pool, tennis courts, hot tub, sauna, and fitness center. All this, plus the peace and quiet of a grownups-only getaway. A bird’s-eye view of Point Pleasant Inn | Bristol, RI, Hotels & Inns Photo Credit : Courtesy of Point Pleasant Inn
Historical charm and a prime location are the twin calling cards of the William’s Grant Inn. A former sea captain’s home built in 1808, the handsome Colonial Federal-style building sits on a quiet, tree-lined street within easy walking distance of downtown. After buying the inn in 2016, Elizabeth and Doug Miller oversaw a tasteful renovation and refreshed the decor (including the dining room where full gourmet breakfasts are served). The five guest rooms are individually decorated — some even have working gas fireplaces — and the gardens with koi pond are ideal for relaxing in fine weather.
The new dining room at the William’s Grant Inn | Bristol, RI, Hotels & Inns Photo Credit : Courtesy of William’s Grant Inn
OK, so it isn’t a hotel, inn, or B&B. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Bristol Guest Suites as a favorite overnight option. For visitors who love to pretend they actually live in their getaway of choice, these three quaint apartments in the downtown historic district will fill the bill. Both the Sailor’s Loft and the Harbor Loft have commanding harbor views; the Garden Loft, meanwhile, looks out on the lush grounds of an 1805 Federal home. The apartments are available by the night, week, or longer. Named a 2011 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Hotel Alternative.”
Do you have any favorite Bristol, RI, hotels and inns that we missed? Let us know!
