which of these hotels would you choose????

Here are our options for a stay in August

1. gothic inn

2. hygeia house

3. narragansett inn

4. national hotel

5. spring house hotel

6. bellevue house

7. water street inn

couple with 2 year old looking to be close to town/beaches. want to stay in a nice inn/hotel.

where would you stay?

which of these hotels would you choose????

I have stayed at the Bellevue House %26amp; the National. Both are downtown, the National is located right in downtown. The Bellevue house is a very short walk (a couple of minutes) from downtown. Depending on when you go, the Bellevue house might be a little quieter for the 2 year old.

The other hotels/inns on your list I have not personally stayed at, but all of them are very nice places to stay. The other factor is $$$. Some are more expensive.

The best suggestion I can give is call them all and see who gives the best package. A lot of the hotels/inns are offering some discounts due to the poor economy, so you might be able to find a nice deal.

Let me know if you need anything else.

which of these hotels would you choose????

Assuming the two year old goes to bed fairly early....You%26#39;ll wonder what I am recommending given you did say close to town...but I would recommend heartily Payne%26#39;s HArborview Inn. With a 2 year old its quiet (exception being if there is a fire...firehouse is across street)You have great views for you and your wife after putting the youngster down just sitting on your balcony (ask for waterfront) and watching the million lights of the boats below with a bottel of wine...believe it or not, the beach and the town are very short distance away for walking (mile or less) or have someone drop you off. The accomodations (relatively new) are a %26#39;considerable%26#39; upgrade over the other choices. The Spring House is also nice setting but can be loud depending on the wedding parties that are be hosted there and rooms are old (everywhere on the island). You can walk down the hill from Paynes with the 2 year old and within 3-4 minutes be looking at lobsters at the marine fisheries place, fish etc.and there are restaurants at New Harbor.

I%26#39;ve been going out to the Block my entire life, have no vested interst in any one place, and think you%26#39;d like it here given the age of the youngster.

B&B for my parents

I am planning to send my parents to Newport in middle of July. Could you recommend any nice B%26amp;Bs? I%26#39;m not sure if it%26#39;s better for them to stay near downtown area , close to restaurants and shops or near the mansions and cliff. (They%26#39;re in their 50%26#39;s) Also, is it going to be difficult to book anything for next month?

B%26amp;B for my parents

Will they have a car? Do they like to walk? Newport is very walkable. That being said, the closer to downtown, the more you%26#39;ll pay. There are scads if B%26amp;Bs in Newport. Being a local, I have not stayed in them. Here are a few nice, central ones which come to mind: Jailhouse Inn, Francis Malbone House, Mill Street Inn. I once read Newport has the 2nd highest concentration (after San Francisco) of B%26amp;B in the U.S.

I%26#39;m not sure of your price range. Accommodations can get very pricey in Newport during the summer months. You may wish to try googling neighboring Middletown (the beast beaches are here) for slightly less expensive options. Beech Tree Inn comes to mind.

All the best in finding a spot for your folks. I hope they enjoy their trip.

B%26amp;B for my parents

Yes, they will have a car but they like to walk. So that won%26#39;t be a problem. My budget is max 300 per night.

go to www.gonewport.com and check out the where to stay options, search for B%26amp;B%26#39;s and Inns and you%26#39;ll see a complete list with links to their websites...shop around and ask if you can narrow down some of your choices....as with the previous poster, I haven%26#39;t stayed in many, but hear good things about: Francis Malbone, Newport Blues Inn, Spring Street Inn, Artful Lodgeer, Hilltop Inn....

Sorry that didn%26#39;t really come out right....meant to say ask any questions when you have a narrowed down list of choices.

Check Bayberry Inn of Newport

www.bayberryinnofnewport.com

Breakers, or Another Mansion?

Thanks for the help in the other forum regarding getting to Newport from Boston. I have another question. I only have time to check out one mansion, so I was going to check out the Breakers Mansion, since that%26#39;s the most popular one in Newport. However, after reading some reviews here on Tripadvisor, some reviewers didn%26#39;t really like the place. In addition, the queue to get in might be really long. Finally, I read that you can%26#39;t take pictures and you have to take a guided tour of the mansion, two things I don%26#39;t really like doing. Would you guys still recommend checking out this mansion, or would you recommend checking out another mansion? On the Newport attractions section on this website, Chateau-sur-Mer is rated higher. Should I check out that one instead? Your input is appreciated. Thanks.

Breakers, or Another Mansion?

The Elms and The Marble House both have self guided tours. You can only take pictures of the exteriors of any of the mansions....no interiors.

Doris Duke%26#39;s Rough Point is another nice mansion and also hosts some of her collections for viewing (Right now it%26#39;s animals in her arts collection, she loved animals, and once even kept camels at the estate and had to bring them INSIDE during Hurricane Bob in 1991, they started to eat a painting...)but it is also guided and no indoor photography.

For a review check out:

newportmansionsreview.com/review/…

Breakers, or Another Mansion?

Marble house is in many ways the better tour. smaller crowds. more lavash decore.

I%26#39;ve visited all the mansions except the newest renovated ones (Chepstow and Bell House). They all have their own personalities. The really different one is Hunter House. This is a colonial era house set on the Newport harbor not near most of the mansions off Bellevue Ave. It isn%26#39;t as grande as some of the others but is interesting. It does however have a guided tour so may be not a good one for you. When we went to Marble House this past Christmas, we enjoyed the self guided audio tour that you could do at your own pace. There was some interesting info about the women%26#39;s voting rights movement. Marble House was also the most expensive to build (I believe) since it contains many rare, exotic marbles even though it isn%26#39;t as large as the others. Breakers would only be a good choice if you are interested in seeing the kitchen. You%26#39;d have to get there early however to avoid lines. You can walk around the grounds of all the mansions for free.

multiple tables

Thanksgiving in Newport RI

I am thinking of spending Thanksgiving in Newport RI. Some of the restaurants I may want to have dinner at are closed that day. Right now these look like some of my choices. Which would you recommend?

Spiced Pear

22 Bowen

White Horse Tavern

Castle Hill Inn (Buffet brunch)

Clarke Cooke House

Thanks for your feedback.

Thanksgiving in Newport RI

White Horse Inn for Thanksgiving dinner. Very cozy at that time of year. Give Clarke Cooke House a try on another day and have a drink at Castle Hill Inn.

Thanksgiving in Newport RI

I agree, White Horse Tavern because it would be more of a ';Thanksgiving Feel'; an old colonial house, fireplaces, cozy etc....

Spiced Pear is nice, but more ';ornate'; and gilded age like setting. Definitely stop by over Thanksgiving Weekend for a drink or dinner though.

Castle Hill has spectacular views. Clarke Cooke House and 22 Bowens are nice as well, and worth a stop, but for Thanksgiving itself, my nod would go to White Horse with Spiced Pear as #2, Castle Hill Brunch #3.

don%26#39;t even think twice:)

White Horse Tavern

facial treatment

Need guide/driver for 10-12 people from Cruise ship...

Hello. We will be a group of 10-12 people cruising to New England this fall. Rather than do the typical cruise excursion, we were thinking we could arrange our own driver/guide to cover some of those same places in Newport. Would welcome recommendations of any top-notch tour companies. Thank you!

Need guide/driver for 10-12 people from Cruise ship...

http://www.vikingtoursnewport.com/

But I would think that this is the same group that the cruise ships would use, but you might be able to get your own private one for your group.

Need guide/driver for 10-12 people from Cruise ship...

I came across this tour group looking for a tour for a group of friends. You must prearrange the tours with this group and minimums are required (but with 10-12 people you should have enough):

Newport Historical Society:

http://www.newporthistorical.org/tours.htm

Sorry I don%26#39;t have an info on how good this tour guide is but since it is through the local historical society should probably be pretty accurate information.

Anyone Been to the Bellevue House?

I am planing on heading over to Block Island with my Girlfriend during the first weekend of October.

I am looking for a place that is very quiet and relaxing, a bit away from the center of town and not too expensive, I came across the Bellvue house, and it looks nice from the pictures.

Has anyone stayed there? comments good or bad?

Or another place that might meet our criteria?

Thanks for any replies

Anyone Been to the Bellevue House?

I can%26#39;t comment on the Bellevue House beyond the observation that you have - I%26#39;ve never set foot inside the place.

There have been numerous other BI threads on the same topic, so browse them at your leisure. In general, room prices on the island tend to be on the steep side, but are more reasonable the farther out from Old Harbor you go. The Sullivan House or the Old Town Inn might be just the ticket, since they%26#39;re away from the commercial hub (but not too far - the entire island is only 7 square miles, after all.) Hygeia House used to be on my list of suggested places, but there%26#39;s been nothing but hate about it in TA reviews recently. Also steer clear of the Highview Inn, except perhaps for socializing at its ';Club Soda'; bar. The place looks like a firetrap.

You%26#39;ve chosen an awesome time to visit. What can I say, my annual ';retreat'; there starts on the following Wednesday. It%26#39;s still mild if not warm, and breezy, during the day and cool but not overly chilly at night. Best of all, the hordes of tourists are long gone. Bars still draw a crowd on Red Sox or football game nights, but other than that everything%26#39;s slowed down to a great mellow pace. You%26#39;re in for some excellent R %26amp; R.

BTW for a candlelit, ';occasion'; sort of dinner the best places to reserve a table for two at are Winfield%26#39;s, the restaurants at the Manisses Hotel, and the Spring House. Eli%26#39;s is also a great place for dining on the upscale side, but despite its candles and low lighting it%26#39;s not the best mood-setter - the space is tiny and tables are elbow-to-elbow. Save room for dessert at The Ice Cream Place (my fingers are crossed they%26#39;ll stay open until Columbus Day this year.) And forget about calories, pick up some freshly-made product at Blocks of Fudge!

Anyone Been to the Bellevue House?

Hi there. I use to live on the island year round in the 80%26#39;s. I left after the airplane went down in Dec. due to the piolet being sick and still allowed to fly the plane. The company was named Watch Hill air charter. Don%26#39;t fly!! Take the ferry over from point judith R.I.. You will find some of the hotels good and some of them really crappy!! The island is beautiful and as long as you don%26#39;t rent a moped,(the islanders hate them and becouse of the sand on the roads, they are dangerous!), you will have a good time. Also, only drink bottled water there, or beer! The High View hotel is out of town and has beautiful views. You will not find anywhere thats cheap on the island, much like any vacation spot, but check out private homes renting rooms. They tend to be the cheapest and the nicest. Hope you have a good time. If Ed McGovern is still the mayor there, say hi from Paul. I use to chef for him in the late 80%26#39;s at the Yellow Kittens. I live now in England. You should check this island out!!! Cheers.

Visiting 6/27-7/1- First time to RI & Newport (Long, sorry!)

Hi all,

My husband and I are in the process of planning our trip to RI from California (first trip to New England) as our 4th wedding anniversary gift to each other. I%26#39;ve spent some time reading through this forum and have gotten some great ideas on restaurants etc. but have a few questions- Should we rent a car for the trip? how easy is it to get to Newport from Providence airport? With our trip length would it behove us to take a day trip somewhere outside of Newport?

We%26#39;re most likely going to book at Francis Malbone House within the next week- I know it%26#39;s busy in the summer and I don%26#39;t want the availability to disappear!

As for things to do we%26#39;re thinking of taking a sunset cruise on either the Adirondack II or Madeleine- any preference on one or the other? We want to do the Cliffwalk and maybe one mansion- the Breakers? Also, my husband is a history buff and wondered how the trip/tour to Fort Adams is? what other historical places would be fun to see?

Are there super touristy things/restaurants to avoid this time of year? We%26#39;d much rather spend time where locals do even though its the tourist season. Thank you for any and all suggestions- we%26#39;re looking forward to our trip!

Visiting 6/27-7/1- First time to RI %26amp; Newport (Long, sorry!)

Hello,

Congrats on your first visit to Newport. I%26#39;m sure you will enjoy yourselves. As you mentioned, it is really important to book your place of choice now. It%26#39;s amazing how fast the really nice places to stay fill up. Francis Malbone would be a good choice, but there are other nice B%26amp;B%26#39;s to stay if that%26#39;s already booked. I can%26#39;t help you on the sunset cruise part of things, since I haven%26#39;t been on either one. You have two options from the Providence Airport to Newport. The first is to rent a car. The second is to take the Cozy Cab Newport Shuttle which is $20 per person each way. The airport to Newport drive takes about 20-30 minutes. It%26#39;s a nice ride that will take you over both the Jamestown and Newport Bridges. Very nice. I personally would recommend renting the car. There%26#39;s no question Newport will keep you both busy, but having a car would mean the opportunity to head back over both of those bridges and pick up Route 1A for a really nice ride down into what they call South County. There are charimg little villages to stop in like Wakefield, Narragansett, Charlestown, etc. Or you could head east out of Newport to Cape Cod for a nice daytrip. So I feel the car is very important, unless you plan to stay in Newport for the 4 nights. You could also take the ferry over to Providence if you wanted to browse around there. There are some touristy things going on but you%26#39;ll want to do them as well. Touring the Mansions and walking the Cliff Walk are very nice The harbor area has some touristy type shops and restaurants, but it also is home to where the locals hang out as well. It%26#39;s a great town. The beaches are nice as well, whether it be in Newport or the other towns I previously mentioned. As long as it doesn%26#39;t rain, plan to have a great time in a great east coast destination.

Visiting 6/27-7/1- First time to RI %26amp; Newport (Long, sorry!)

Another thing that I recommend is the Newport Dinner Train. It%26#39;s a beautful way to spend an evening. It%26#39;s a scenic, 22 mile, 2.5 hour ride along Narragansett Bay. Food Network rated it top 3 for train dining in America. I would highly recommend this if it interests the both of you. Cost is around $60pp not including drinks.

www.newportdinnertrain.com

There is a shuttle from the airport to Npt, previously mentioned on this site, I forget the name.

Depending on how long you stay, spend an hour or afternoon in Jamestown next to Npt (Beavertail Point) or Wickford (charming, historical harbor %26amp; village shopping), or Block Island for the day.

Other neat things...the Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport Harbor, if you like history the Redwood Library is interesting, Sightsailer is another sailing option, I suggest the Dinner Train only if you like trains..

Thanks for your responses- I will look into all your suggestions! I appreciate the help :)

I echo the suggestion to visit Wickford. And I%26#39;ve been on the Sightsailer, nice crews, Fun ride, depending on the weather.

Breakers and Elms would be my mansion choices.

A table by the window at Clark Cooke House.

It%26#39;ll be hard to avoid tourists In Newport at that time of the year.

Hello,

I was born and raised in RI. I graduated from Univ of RI, and live in MD. I%26#39;m married and 56 yo. Enough of the background: Rent a car, that way you can do a day trip to visit (in this order) Jamestown, East Greenwich, town of Narragansett, Hazard Ave rocks, Point Judith lighthouse, Aunt Carries for chowder and clamcakes, and Galilee. Try George%26#39;s restaurant in Galilee if you don%26#39;t stop at Aunt Carries. Another day trip is taking the Block Island Ferry from Newport. Enjoy. My wife and I are going up to Newport this weekend.

Gary W