Newport, Rhode Island, has a storied history. Located at the mouth of Narragansett Bay and known as “America’s First Resort,” this city by the sea began as major shipbuilding center and shipping port, then morphed into a summer home for well-to-do families in the late 19th century. Today, the ocean-side ambience is still a major selling point for travelers from around the world. Is a Newport visit on your vacation list? Read on for a selection of our favorite Newport, Rhode Island, hotels, inns, and B&Bs.
The Claiborne Pell Bridge from Rose Island is just one of the Newport’s many fine views. Planning a visit? Check out our list of favorite Newport, Rhode Island, hotels. Photo Credit : Eric Full
With rooms and villas evocatively furnished to transport guests to distant eras and places, plus exclusive amenities like butler-drawn aromatherapy baths, in-room spa services, and ocean-view fine dining, this Newport mansion turned boutique hotel has always overdelivered. In 2016 the Chanler added New England’s only fleet of Tokyobikes to its lineup of enticements. Specifically engineered by a small Japanese startup for leisurely city touring, they’re free for guests who want to pedal to area shops, restaurants, and sights with stylish ease. Named a 2017 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Luxury Escape.”
The starring attraction here is the 40-acre swath of waterfront on Narragansett Bay, but guests are also enamored of this Victorian mansion’s luxury suites, private beach cottages with commanding water views, and stellar on-site restaurant. If you’re looking for an upscale spot that’s close to the buzz of downtown Newport but not in the middle of it, this is your place.
Gilded | Favorite Newport, Rhode Island, Hotels Photo Credit : Gilded/Lark
With a courtyard styled like the Mad Hatter’s croquet party, a fringy chandelier dangling over the white-lacquered billiard table, a jewel-toned library, and 17 funky guest rooms, this newcomer is a visual feast. So is the daily spread of breakfast tapas. If historic inns’ intimacy and formal decor aren’t your thing, this posh, irreverent boutique hotel is your anti-B&B. Named by Yankee as one of the Best New Hotels in New England in 2017.
In a Play-Doh-blue 19th-century Italianate building that was once a print shop, you’ll find five spacious rooms that are remarkably wallet-friendly by Newport standards. Sure, the frilly pillows, busy wallpaper, and tiny TVs scream “Grandma’s house.” But when guests pause to tap out their thoughts on the antique Olivetti typewriter in the lobby, they rave about home-baked breakfast pies and this pet-friendly inn’s out-of-the-way yet convenient location. Named a 2017 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Budget B&B.”
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Hospitality power couple Sarah and Albert Bouchard possess that je ne sais quoi that transforms a mere meal or a stay into a memory. Even as their Newport empire has expanded, their flagship French restaurant exudes unparalleled warmth and creativity. With a bellyful of filet de boeuf aux brie, retire to your nearby guest room and dream until fresh-baked pastries arrive. Named a 2016 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Gourmand Getaway.”
Making its home in a 1760 mansion originally built for a shipping titan, this cheery B&B puts visitors at the center of Newport. The homemade breakfasts can’t be beat, and the afternoon tea might just introduce a new ritual into your life. A number of rooms have working fireplaces. This is a romantic getaway that’s just right.
Rarely does a hotel score a trifecta like this: good food, posh accommodations, stellar views. With a menu overseen by the White Barn Inn, tastefully refurbished rooms, and a rooftop lounge that floats above the city, it’s a romantic retreat for the Gatsby crowd — and those who just want to dream for the weekend. Named a 2016 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best (Temporary) Luxe Living.”
The Attwater | Favorite Newport, Rhode Island, Hotels Photo Credit : The Attwater/Lark
Self-described as “Newport unconventional,” the Attwater recently underwent a total renovation. If your weekend in Newport is half as fun as these rooms – bold fabrics, sleek furnishings, ultramodern accents – you’re in for a treat. Named a 2016 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Designer Hotel.”
The best of both worlds: high living and down-home hospitality. The staff goes the extra mile, providing guests with coveted dinner reservations, healthy breakfast made on request, and overall VIP treatment. Named a 2016 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Hospitality.”
Where are some of your favorite Newport, Rhode Island, hotels and inns?
Ian Aldrich is the Senior Features Editor at Yankee magazine, where he has worked for more for nearly two decades. As the magazine’s staff feature writer, he writes stories that delve deep into issues facing communities throughout New England. In 2019 he received gold in the reporting category at the annual City-Regional Magazine conference for his story on New England’s opioid crisis. Ian’s work has been recognized by both the Best American Sports and Best American Travel Writing anthologies. He lives with his family in Dublin, New Hampshire.
