After researching a dozen lodgings in Newport for a 1 night stay over Labor Day weekend (most were too expensive or had a 3 night requirement), I managed to book a night at the Admiral Fitzroy Inn for $195.00. The only other thing I could get in my price range was the Howard Johnson in Middletown for 159.00. Am I better off staying in town? Has anyone stayed a the Admiral Fitzroy?

Hi Nell,
I have not stayed at the Admiral Fitzroy so I cannot comment on it. However, I live in the area so I have a couple of ideas. The Howard Johnsons in Middletown is truly a stone's throw from Newport and should not deter you if this is what you want. My family often stays there when they visit and it is a good, basic hotel wiyh rather large rooms.( Newport is on Aquidneck Island and is comprised of several towns including Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport - nothing is very far away.) How about the Courtyard Marriott in Middletown? It is very close to Newport also. As long as you have a car, you don't need to stay in town. I hope this helps.

I forgot to mention "www.oso.com". Ocean State Online is a website specifix to Rhode Island and you can get more info on Newport and other locations.

has anyone ever stayed at the travelodge in middletown, rhode island? i guess they just took over another budget hotel there, i don't remember the name. my husband and i are going to visit newport at the end of july/2001. we did get a good rate,except for the two weekend nights.we have a saying that we don't want to buy the hotel, just stay there. also, how is the parking situation and rates in newport? maybe it would be better to pay a bit more for the convenience of staying right in newport. any suggestions?

I went to boarding school in Newport and have returned to visit a few times. If downtown Newport is a bit high for your budget, I would try the Courtyard by Marriot in Middletown. The HoJos is nearby, but the Courtyard is much nicer.
There is also a Ramada across the street from the Courtyard, but it's not very nice and usually has comparable rates.

All these hotels are on the main drag on the way into Newport (West Main Road). I think the Travelodge may be on East Main Road, which is a bit less central in terms of restaurants, etc. I may be wrong however.

Traffic in Newport can be really bad during the summer. Expect 20-30 minutes to get downtown on West Main Road. Also, parking is sometimes hard to come by..But there are a few pay parking lots in the middle of town.

Sorry, I was wrong...turns out the Travelodge is on West Main Road, so it's on the main drag. It is near all the other hotels I mentioned.

I'm not sure which hotel they took over, but it is in a good location. However, if you can get a comparable rate at the Marriott Courtyard, I would stay there.

hi.

i have to say i'd rather stay anywhere in newport proper as opposed to staying in middletown.

driving and parking is a nightmare in newport, so to stay in a location where you can walk to the stores, shops, restaurants, is key.

don't worry about driving to the beach and mansions b/c they all have parking (not free, but it is available)

anyway, my priority when i am there (had a summer house there and been back many many times since) is to be able to walk to go out at night. so stay at Admiral Fitzroy, IMHO

For Nell- I'd have to agree with nychick (although as a "summer house" renter she was probably one of the screaming drunks with loud music keeping all the locals on Ann St awake at night . If you are going on Labor day weekend traffic will almost certainly be a nightmare and if you aren't familiar with some of the back streets getting in and out of the city you could be sitting in traffic much more than you want if you stay in Middletown. If you were coming in mid-week or in the fall, Middletown is an excellent option, but during the last holiday weekend of the summer I wouldn't want to have drive too much.