Which hotel would be a better choice for convience,and sightseeing. We are traveling without a car Hyatt Regency Goat Island or Merriott Newport. Are these hotels close to each other? Thanks

Both are north of the main harbor/shops/restaurants. The Hyatt is on Goat Island, a causeway away from the City and the Marriott - so it's less convenient.

Go to this thread: a person recently asked about newport accomodations and sites, locations and there is a lot of good info and web pages:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34743551

depending on when you are going, the hotels you mention, esp goat island can be lovely if you also want to r & r , etc. but for easier walking, depending on how many, ages, etc and ability to get back to hotel easier for a mid day break or to drop off packages, etc you are more conveniently located if on or near America's Cup Ave/Thames St/ or the side streets off of them.

The Marriott sits right on America's Cup Avenue and you can easily walk to the attractions on Thames Street from there.
The Hyatt is located on Goat Island, which is a small island across the harbor from the Marriott. If you stay on Goat Island (during the summer season) there are little ferries that you can take to get across the Harbor to Thames Street for $2 per head per ride. You can also walk across the causeway that connects the island to the mainland but it would be about 1.5 miles or so to get to Thames Street.
If you are down to these 2 choices, I would check on how the Hyatt is doing now. I understand that it has been recently renovated but I know that in the past there have been a lot of complaints about service and accomodations there. Since I am local, I have stayed in neither.We usually stay with our boat at the marina on Goat Island and I like staying on this side of the harbor because it is quieter. I would check tripadvisor.com or pose for anyone who has stayed at the Hyatt.

Thanks so much you have been most helpful. We made reservations at the Marriott. Any other suggestions are most welcome.

most suggestions I made on your other post, but if you want to tell us approximate age/ budget/interests I could certainly be more specific. I wouldn't recommend say, Castle Hill for dinner, if waht you are lookin gfor is lively, fun, young spot - Castle Hill is great for a quiet, lovely dinner with magnificent views - it is also for some people, considered a higher end restaurant cost-wise, - Newport has many great restaurants for all budgets and some hidden gems if we knew what you were looking for- nightlife, dancing, quiet, view, howmuch average per person......