Friday, March 29, 2013

Newport, RI Hotels: History At Your Doorstep

    Newport, RI is the most charming city in New England.  Not only is it the most charming, it is teaming with history.  It is historic for its colonial background, fishing culture, and its historic mansions.  If anyone is looking to stay for two or three nights in this stunning New England town, he/she doesn't have to look far.  There are a handful of hotels in Newport which suit all travelers’ needs.  Without flipping through all the hotel listings, here is a list of hotels for visitors' consideration.  Whichever hotel anyone may choose to stay at, he/she will not be disappointed.  The hotel which visitors choose to stay at will have them feeling like part of the town and part of history.

    As mentioned, finding a convenient hotel in Newport isn’t difficult.  There are five hotels to be considered.  They are not just run-of-the-mill hotels, they are the five of the very best.  They are hotels recommended to millions of visitors.  Aside from visitors, they are preferred by parents, friends, and families of Salve Regina University students.  Let’s begin with the big names, and move down the list to the more quaint and intimate ones. 

5.  Marriott-Newport.  Located on America’s Cup Boulevard upon entering Newport, the hotel is conveniently located next door to the Newport Gateway Visitors & Transportation Center.  The hotel features a spacious lobby with a vaulted ceiling and atrium. Fathoms Restaurant, located towards the rear of the lobby, features American cuisine including an incredible breakfast buffet available daily.  The Marriott-Newport also features a twenty-four hour fitness center and a business center.  The nineteen meeting rooms feature top-of-the-line audio visual equipment.  The hotel features complimentary newspapers and wireless internet access.  The Marriott-Newport is just minutes away from Thames Street, Tauro Synagogue, and the Redwood Library.  Trolley service to the mansions is available at the Newport Gateway Visitors & Transportation Center.

4.  Hyatt Regency-Newport.  The Hyatt Regency-Newport is situated on Goat Island, nestled on the edge of Newport Harbor.  The hotel features one of the most incredible harbor views anyone could ask for.  It is the view of the Claiborne Pell Bridge (f.k.a Newport Bridge).  On a rainy day, visitors should keep an eye out for that beautiful rainbow and be sure to have their camera ready.  The hotel has a wide array of must-haves, including a business center, full-service spa, patio, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and the Windward Restaurant.  The Windward Restaurant specializes in seafood dishes and features a daily buffet breakfast.  Just like the Marriott-Newport, well-known tourist attractions are just minutes away.

3. Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina.  Situated near the corner of America’s Cup and Memorial Boulevards, the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina offers a prime location on Newport’s harbor front.  The mansions and the famous Cliff Walk are within a two-mile distance.  The hotel features an indoor swimming pool and harbor view sundeck.  Men’s and women’s spa facilities are located on site. The Pier 49 Seafood & Spirits restaurant is a New England visitor’s treat.  It specializes in New England cuisine, overlooking the boat-filled Newport Harbor.  The hotel’s rooms include a handful of top must-haves including flat panel TVs, high speed Internet access, and Keurig coffee brewers. 

2.  Jailhouse Inn.  The Jailhouse Inn is located on Marlborough Street, two blocks east of the Marriott and Hyatt Regency.  The Jailhouse Inn is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is formerly the Newport County Jail.  The hotel’s rooms are home to furniture well-suited for the well-traveled and weary tourist.  The rooms are furnished with mahogany dressers, rustic style beds, and night stands.  Complimentary European continental breakfast is served each morning, while complimentary afternoon tea and cookies are served in the downstairs lounge.  Washington Square is less than one hundred yards from the Jailhouse Inn.  Visitors ought to treat themselves to the restaurants and shops on Thames Street, the Opera House movie theater, and a relaxing walk along the harbor front less than three hundred yards away.      

1. The Hotel Viking.  The Hotel Viking is located on the northern end of Bellevue Avenue, at the intersection of Tauro Avenue.  The hotel features a restaurant, bar, and a lounge.  The Hotel Viking has an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and business center.  Both the business center and hotel rooms feature complimentary wireless Internet access.  The rooms at The Hotel Viking all have hair dryers, complimentary newspapers, and TVs with premium channels and pay movies. All of The rooms at The Hotel Viking are non-smoking.  The Redwood Library, International Tennis Hall of Fame, and Newport’s mansions are just blocks away.  

    A town as quaint and tranquil as Newport may leave any traveler wondering, “What was it like here a century ago?”.  Another question which may come to mind would be, “What’s the best way to get here?”.  For those who wish to take the train, the ride is one which anyone would truly appreciate.  The closest station to Newport is Kingston, near the University of Rhode Island.  The cab ride to Newport is twenty minutes.  If flying, Providence’s T.F. Green Airport is forty-five minutes away.  By car, the drive from the New York/New Jersey area is three and a half hours.  The drive from the Boston area is approximately ninety minutes.     

    Visiting Newport, RI is an experience no one will ever forget.  From its rich history, to shopping, New England cuisine, and to its quaint charm, Newport has something for everyone.  From hotels with a simple life flavor to everyday pampering, visitors experience Newport in a variety of tones.    Visitors can enjoy the fresh air of the harbor, take in the history, or just sit back and relax.  Newport is the place to experience it all.  It is the city where New England shines.  Ultimately, it is where American history comes alive.    

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