escargot and everyone!! I'm almost convinced now...
Taj in Boston and Viking in Newport (I was going to try the Wequassett but my father insisted on being able to walk everywhere...)
WHAT DO YOU THINK???? any negative things I should note before booking at either one????????????????
thanksssssssss!!

escargot or anyone??

Ive been to the viking in Newport, its ok at best, and it is a hike to walk to town from there. Also dont eat at there restuarant the food is terrible. I would definitely go to the Vanderbuilt or Chandler if u can afford it.

Taj in Boston is excellent and perfect , beautiful location - right across from entrance to Boston Public Garden, nice area to sit, flowers in bloom !

Viking I have not stayed at but relatives have and I have put up clients there -
my first choice is the Frances Malbone House
but if you want to walk, I think it is a short walk up from Main Street and you can walk to Bellevue Ave from there

if you have someone in your party who does not like to walk it is easy, easy to get a taxi in Newport - I can give you three cab numbers I use all the time to put in your cell phone before you arrive

as with any hotel, some rooms are better than others. you can read on trip advisor everything on the Viking from the best place and I am picky to a comment about a shabby room -

I never heard any complaints

However, for your size party, I would make friends with the hotel now (via email) - how special a trip it is, why, what types of rooms you expect and what location for that would be best - start a dialogue with him -
whether you want or not, I have after this, for a special trip, often sent a small arrangement or candy or something to that person and always found it worthwhile

I'm not sure what 'flep' is thinking, but the Viking Hotel is certainly walking distance to downtown....it's just up the street from Vanderbilt Hall...it's about a 5-minute walk down the hill to Thames Street.

That being said, I would take the advice of others and try and secure one of their bigger rooms for your special occasion. They underwent renovations last year, and being an older hotel, they do have some smaller quirky rooms, but it's location is excellent...far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Thames St. but close enough to walk.

To get an idea of it's location, check out Vanderbilt Hall's website, and you'll see it at the top of the hill:

www.vanderbiltrc.com

(The Viking is the building right behind Trinity Church's steeple)

Carlota, im not sure if u made a decision or not yet but here is some help anyway.Im from RI so i have stayed at anumber of the hotels in newport. The viking is located between the main focal points of newport, thames and bellevue, though it is not within walking distance to either. The hotel itself it nice, but not special. the rooms are pretty average. I can tell u that they renovated a part of the hotel a couple of years ago so if u do stay there i would recommend staying in that section. on my previous stay in newport we stayed at the vanderbuilt and I loved it. The rooms are all newly renovated. They are styled like a loft. Living room downstairs and bedroom up. two bathrooms in each suite, plus two plasma tv's. They have a roof which has great views of the ocean and beautiful back courtyard that has fire pits u hang out at night. And it is a two block walk to thames. The chandler was my favorite spot as far as hotel. the rooms there are unbelievable. Well no matter what decision u make im sure youll have fun.

Flep, I am really sorry but I am sure you must be confusing the Viking with some other hotel -or the difference in opinion is what one considers "within walking distance" -

Carlota wants to be within walking distance of Thames Avenue, the wharfs, Bellevue Ave, etc - so while the Chanler is also a great hotel, and would not be a long walk for me to Thames, it is a longer walk (to me) than the location of the Viking....

For over 15 years I have run a weekly event in Newport Harbor and you can absolutely walk from the Viking to downtown - it is less than 1/2 mile -

now, if someone thinks 1/2 mile is a long walk then that is a different discussion - but it is that or less - and far less to many other sites along the way to say the 300 numbers of Thames Avenue - like Touro Synagogue (oldest in the US) or Newport Art Museum , etc, etc.......

If you google it you will see a map - Viking is only a few streets back from the water -

the link also provided above by someone else shows you how close it is - the Chanler is a much farther walk

You might be right in what u say, but being from ri we have the mentallity, that if its not within two blocks or so its far. Plus I wouldn't want to walk up that hill in the heat. I know the chandler is not as close to town, but it is close to the cliff walk and mansions, and the hotel is definitely the best newport has to offer. Im not saying the viking isnt a good hotel, i just feel there are better choices, its just a personal preference i guess. Well good luck in whatever u choose Carlota.

But they are coming in April and first week of May, it will not be anywhere near hot yet.

They want to be able to walk downtown

If someone can not walk up that hill - which I don't think is a difficult walk - then they can call a cab with five minutes notice.

blocks is also up for discussion -
a city block in Boston is not as big as a city block in NYC - I think most would consider this walk a few blocks , with some wiggle room either way -

Customers of mine,most over 40, walked back to that hotel from the wharf at the end of each day for three days, there were 3 we needed to call a cab for out of approx 160 customers - so I think for most, it is doable.

escargot, its quite obvious we are not gonna agree on this topic. But Carlotta initially said she wanted a five star level trip. In my opinion that would never include the viking. I havent found a site that has given them more than three stars. And as a matter of fact, u should see other fodorians reviews of the viking under hotels. Also i missed that she was going in april or may. Do you have any idea how windy it is in Newport, during that time. Carlotta good luck.

no, we probably won't agree.

" Do you have any idea how windy it is in Newport, during that time"
Yes, I am there every April and May for at leaset 3-4 days. There are windy days and non windy days
and in mansions, touring, shopping, etc they will be fine.

No, Viking isn't 5 stars, but she knows that and they also wanted to be able to walk with ten people who may split up at times. She can choose - she knows the distances, reviews, etc - pick a better hotel over an easier location - she can decide. Cabs would work for both locations anyway, but she mentioned walking.

At least at the Viking, it won't be as windy outside at the Chanler if one wants to even think about windy days

hey guys!!! please don't argue over this!!!! I REALLY appreciatte ALL your opinions and suggestions!!!
flep, following yours I emailed the vanderbilt and they also have rooms for those dates.
Escargot, the frances malbone doesn't look as nice, but maybe the website doesn't do it justice...do you think it's nicer than the others? from the website I saw that all rooms are different and I was afraid of ones being much nicer than others...please tell me if I'm wrong and I'll contact them!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

should I say yes to the vanderbilt?
so it would be Vanderbilt and the taj boston...should I try to contact the francis malbone house or any other place??
don't think I'm such a nerd, but please confirm me that the Taj is a better choice than the lennox...

I'd go with Taj, the old Ritz Carlton. Both are wonderful, the Taj is just grander and the Public Gardens will hopefully have something in bloom to start your day.

Did you check out 9 zero in Boston, its really trendy and close to everything in boston? If not my vote is the lennox hotel. If you do get the vanderbilt make sure you get the newer renovated rooms, also they have a suite on the first floor, the room has two bedrooms large living room and kitchen, perfect for a large group to hang out.

Taj is excellent, I would choose it over the Lenox, for service and for location.
Francis Malbone house is absolutely immaculate and perfect, even though the rooms are different. Our top clients stay there every year and rave about the service and accomodations again and again.

You have all excellent choices.
Nine Zero is also nice, it isn't the Taj/Ritz and for a few reasons I would choose that after Taj, and a bunch of others including the Copley Fairmont, Eliot and Lenox.

Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I have it all booked!! well, at least the hotels:
BOSTON: TAJ BOSTON
NEWPORT: FRANCIS MALBONE
SOooooooOOO relieved!!!!!
now I have to organize all the sightseeing, van for 10 people, tours, etc...
aswell as restaurants, musicals, etc...
We'll also need a nice place to have breakfast near the Taj hotel.
we'll want to have a "nice" dinner and 3 more casual ones
also in newport
thanks!!!!

Congrats Carlota -
I am glad you are at Malbone - lovely place and people - and an easy walk to everything -

You should probably do a separate thread for your restaurants, etc - with clear info on what you prefer, pricing, etc - type of food you want to try - you will get lots of opinions (including mine) - but first, do a search for Boston Restaurants, Newport Restaurants, Theater in Boston, etc - and you might want to look at this site:
www.opentable.com

you can even book your reservations online, although for 10 you are likely going to also have to fax and/or give a credit card info to hold -

there are some restaurants too, that are lend themselves more to a large table and/or private but attached rooms also - and some that have music in house (although the bar at the Taj has great music/drinks !)

or, you can always fax the Taj the ones you would like, second , third choice, etc and let the concierge do that for you as well as your van for tours -

keep us posted !! how much fun is this going to be ? YEA !

Carlota - look at these photos -
a poster just posted them on another thread - there are some great shots of Boston that will get you and your family excited for your trip !

http://www.pbase.com/dellybean/back_bay&view=slideshow