Newport, RI, Hotels on the Beach | OceanCliff Resort
Although it is by far the smallest state in New England, Rhode Island sports nearly 400 miles of coastline. Which means pretty much everything in Rhode Island is near the ocean, relatively speaking. Newport, famed for its Gilded Age mansions and its sailing scene, also lays claim to being America’s first resort town. Our favorite places to stay in Newport combine stunning views with beach access. Here are a few of the best Newport, RI, hotels on the beach.
Where to Stay in Newport, RI | Hotels on the Beach
Whether you find yourself staying in the main building, perched on a rocky ledge and offering a terrific vantage point for harbor views, or in one of the cozy cottages situated right the inn’s private beach, your Castle Hill Inn experience is sure to be a memorable one. Originally constructed as a summer escape for Harvard University biologist Alexander Agassiz, the main building served as a makeshift Navy base during World War II. It became a hotel in the 1950s, hosting such luminaries as Grace Kelly and Thornton Wilder. In 2008, Castle Hill Inn became Rhode Island’s first Relais & Châteaux property. Named a 2018 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Oceanside Lodging.”
The Chanler has 20 guest rooms to choose from, each decorated in distinctive Gilded Age style. The property itself is an oasis of gardens and sweeping ocean views. Built in the 1870s for New York Congressman John Winthrop Chanler, it served as a summer home for five generations of the family and their high-profile guests, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Theodore Roosevelt. One of the best parts of a stay at the Chanler is the proximity of the famed Newport Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile National Recreation Trail that puts historic mansions, stunning vistas, and Easton’s Beach (complete with its own carousel) at your disposal. Named a 2017 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Luxury Escape.”
Although this is not a “beach” hotel per se, Rhode Island’s first LEED-certified hotel earns a spot on our list for its proximity to the water and its stunning views. The cottages and hotel put you at the epicenter of the downtown waterfront of Newport Harbor. Easton’s Beach is about a 30-minute walk west, while underrated King Park Beach is about a 15-minute walk south. Named a 2011 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Reason to Come Ashore.”
Newport, RI, Hotels on the Beach | OceanCliff Resort
Built in 1892 on 10 acres of lawn abutting a gorgeous seascape, OceanCliff served as a summer residence for industrialist Gaun Hutton and his family until 1954, when it began its transformation into the lavish resort of today. Highly sought after as a wedding destination, the resort is about a 10-minute walk from Collins Beach.
Opened in 1940, Newport Beach Hotel — which actually located just over the town line in Middleton — has been a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2000. And if water access is your thing, look no further: The expanse of Easton’s Beach is at your front doorstep and the peaceful expanse of Easton’s Pond lies behind. Rooms range from standard guest rooms to two-bedroom suites with kitchens and marble baths. Named a 2017 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Reason to Come Ashore.”
Finally, for amazing harbor and water access that isn’t necessarily “beachfront,” check out Gurney’s Newport; Bannister’s Wharf Guest Rooms; Newport Harbor Hotel, and the Ocean Romance B&B Yacht. And remember, they are all in Newport, where everything is close to the beach by most standards.
Have you stayed at any Newport, RI, hotels on the beach? Let us know!
Joe Bills
Associate Editor Joe Bills is Yankee’s fact-checker, query reader and the writer of several recurring departments. When he is not at Yankee, he is the co-owner of Escape Hatch Books in Jaffrey, NH.
