Spending New Year's in Newport this year as we usually but decided not to stay at the residence of a family friend. Instead, I booked a suite (harbor, ocean view) at the Hyatt for a great price. I've been reading VERY mixed reviews about the place... did I make a huge mistake? Help?!?

I stayed there 2 years ago and thought it was fine. The views are great, the common areas are fine and my room has been recently renovated.

The Hyatt is on Goat Island. Not sure if that is an issue for you. I've stayed a few times at the Marriott and found the rooms to be nice, especially on the conceirge floor. They also have an indoor pool.

Thanks, bennie. I appreciate your response. Happy New Year to you.

Since I am a local resident, I never stay overnite at this hotel. It has a great location and your views should be terrific. We used to go to the lounge at the Hyatt and enjoyed the view from there. I have been to Sunday Brunch here and it's very good.
Hopefully, someone who has stayed here can provide an update on the rooms.

Thanks to you also, Ryan. Yes, I was aware that it's on Goat Island but we'll just drive or cab to where we need to be. My main concern was the rooms since I read in a few places that they were kind of icky (for lack of a better way of saying it)

And thanks to you, Emily. Whew...

I often stay in Newport during the off season and have stayed at the Hyatt. I too, read the various mixed reviews on many websites, but stayed there anyway. We stayed in a bi-level room (I think they called it "Captains Quarters") which had a view of the Newport Bridge with a balcony. Granted it was January, but there was some miscellaneous iron/metal scraps on our balcony, but a nice view. The hotel was undergoing some minor renovations at the time, so the hallways were in disrepair, but that should be expected off-season.

The room itself was nice and it was clean, and overall it was a pleasant experience. Lately when we go to Newport, we've been staying at the Marriott instead. You can get better rates at the Hyatt than at the Marriott, but I prefer the Marriott.

Just back from Newport and wanted to update re: the Hyatt. Our room was large with a balcony and great view but that's about it. Peeling paint in the bathroom (along with cracked tiles and mold), dirty carpet, dirty extra blanket (it had cigarette holes all over it) and lumpy bed were quite unfortunate to say the least. We tried to move to another suite but, unfortunately, they were all booked -- so we were stuck. On New Year's Day, we ordered Room Service for dinner and the food was completely horrible and inedible. We had to send the whole thing back, minus a bowl of berries. Mind you, we did not order anything extravagant by any means -- a lobster salad (the lobster was bad) and a goat cheese salad (the goat cheese was rotten). They tried to apease us by offering to send us something else, which we declined. Thank goodness we had the berries!! The lobby was also in a state of disrepair -- peeling paint, stained ceilings, carpets, furniture. Fairly surprising for a Hyatt, I must say. We will never stay there again.

Sheesh, you'd think that on Goat Island you'd at least be able to get decent goat cheese!

Thanks for the laugh, Anon. 'Twas needed.

I missed this thread prior to the departure date (I was away then), but I have to agree on your assessment of the Hyatt when we stayed there in late June. Found the place a little unkempt and on the unclean side--stairwells and areas of the room. Luckily, we didn't order room service!!

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.
I almost booked at the Hyatt Goat Island last fall, but read so many bad reviews they scared me away.
Hopefully your post will help others in the future.

Michelle- thanks for posting about your experience. I'm sorry that I steered you wrong. I had a good experience but I won't recommend the place anymore.

I think there must be two distinct sections to this hotel, one better than the other as I've read wildly varying reviews. I evidently did not pay much attention to the lobby as I don't recall it being shabby, just not a typical Hyatt, (which it isn't...it used to be a Doubletree or something like that, and before that, something else) but was surprised, not happily, at our bi-level suite in the Capt's Quarters section. We were there during the boat show so I wasn't expecting much, but still....! There was a lot even a broom could have accomplished in the patio of that suite--pretty simple stuff, and no excuse for overlooking it!

Do you recall which section you were in bennnie? Was it the "tower", as opposed to Capts Quarters which is a fair distance off to the left from the lobby area--past the pool, down a long, long corridor or along the parking lot, then up an elevator?

I loved your comment anonymous!

Granted it was over 2 years ago I stayed at the Hyatt, but we were in a loft in the Captains Quarters (facing the Newport Bridge), which appeared clean, with exception to junk on our balcony. They were renovating the mid-section of the hotel at that time (it was off-season: winter), so I wonder if that section is any better?

Considering what some of the comments regarding cleanliness are, I would be hesitant to try any treatments at the on-site spa!

My room was down a long corridor past the parking lot but not near the pool. It faced the city not the bridge. It was on the ground floor, was very large and the bathroom was in good shape. I had a large sitting area, a good sized desk and a king bed. I think there were windows on two sides.

The property is older, I remember my parents staying there in the 70s. It was a Sheraton at one time.

I should also add that I was there to attend a conference. We were very happy with the food service and the conference planners have returned to this facility after moving the conference to the Marriott for one year. My sister recently attended a military ball there (November 2003) and was happy with the place.

We were definitely in the Tower. Maybe I should have asked for the "Captains Quarters". Oh well. That still doesn't explain why the lobby was in such bad shape and the food so horrific. Like I said... never again.

Topping for JoeA