3 Best Hotels in Newport County and East Bay, Rhode Island

The restful retreat in the heart of Newport's bustling waterfront district was once a convent in a different location—the tidy 1854 Victorian building was dismantled in 1986 and rebuilt to its original size and style in its current location. The inn's namesake commanded the HMS Beagle, whose most famous passenger was Charles Darwin, and antiques adorn the rooms, which have either an antique brass or hand-carved wood bed frame; all guests have access to the rooftop deck with a view of the harbor; two have semiprivate decks and hot tubs.

The painted-brick main house, which overlooks a private courtyard with a fountain and, across the street, the harbor, features rooms with working gas fireplaces; a dozen rooms also have whirlpool tubs. Some rooms are in another Colonial home, while others are in a courtyard addition. Afternoon tea is served daily in the dining room from 3 pm to 6 pm.

This mid-19th-century inn exudes romance and every detail has been thought of in the decadent suites and guest rooms—some have fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and steam showers. Guests are treated to a nightly wine-and-cheese reception as well as a full breakfast served beneath a stunning crystal chandelier and homemade chocolate chip cookies await after a day of shopping or on the beach.