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

Built in 1909 by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt for his mistress, Agnes O'Brien Ruiz, this Auberge Resorts property aims to impress—and does, with its exclusive mansion feel, enormous (and recently renovated) guest rooms, and elegant dining in the conservatory and garden. The rooftop deck has cocktail service and a spectacular view of Newport Harbor—it's a great spot for summer sunsets.

Inside and out, every detail of Newport's newest hotel is a thoughtful homage to its place on the waterfront and in the city's architectural progression including its residential-feeling rooms that feature linens and robes crafted by Matouk just 25 miles away in Fall River, Massachusetts. The Living Room and its bar are a casual place to dine and unwind with a view of vessels—including the hotel-owned Hinckley yacht, Brenton One—venturing in and out of this vibrant seaport. A seasonal green rooftop takes the view and the experience to an unequaled level. Locally owned, the hotel also offers unparalleled concierge service to ensure guests make the most of even a brief stay.

Built as a summer house in 1874 for Alexander Agassiz, a scientist and explorer, this luxurious and romantic getaway on a 40-acre peninsula has its own private beach, Farmaesthetics spa, and trails to the Castle Hill Lighthouse, as well as Adirondack chairs on the lawn that beckon you to relax and watch the passing boats. Accommodations at this Relais & Chateaux hotel include tastefully appointed rooms in the Agassiz mansion, which vary in style and include the distinctive Turret Suite; an assortment of auxiliary buildings include beachfront cottages, which afford greater privacy; the room rate includes a gourmet breakfast each morning, as well as afternoon tea.

The custom-designed rooms at this 19th-century mansion on the Cliff Walk, now a landmark boutique hotel, represent some of the most unique and luxurious accommodations in Newport. Rooms have individual themes—Moroccan, Georgian, Empire, Mediterranean, English Trellis, Briar Rose, English Tudor, and others—and are furnished with museum-quality antiques and rugs; all rooms have heated bathroom floors, multiple showerheads, and wet bars, and many rooms have an outdoor balcony or deck, a few equipped with hot tubs.

A former Navy base that's now connected by causeway to the downtown area, Goat Island is home to this resort (formerly known as Gurney's Newport) that comes complete with a walking path around the island, a marina full of yachts, a fitness center, and a picturesque lighthouse. Most guest rooms and suites have a water view and are furnished in a contemporary style in calm colors that reflect the sea, sky, and sand. Dining options include the 1639 restaurant and a casual poolside place for a drink or casual bite to eat. Drinks and snacks can also be ordered on a firepit deck that has the best sunset views in downtown Newport. In winter, the hotel has a skating rink on the shores of the bay and serves hot cocoa and other warming goodies.

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.

Ideally situated adjacent to DeWolf Tavern and just steps from the East Bay Bike Path, this waterfront boutique hotel has fresh, nautical styling and sunny guest rooms. Some overlook Narragansett Bay, and several have gas fireplaces, kitchenettes, or even full kitchens for extended stays.

While options for overnight stays in Jamestown are limited, the Bay Voyage is a stalwart that has undergone several evolutions in its lodging and dining but retains the charm that led the original owners to float this Victorian-era inn across Narragansett Bay from Newport in 1890. The inn is walking distance from town and features rooms with water views, an attractive seasonal outdoor swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant. It’s a time-share resort that also offers rooms for overnight stays, so most accommodations are suites.

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.

Opened in 2020, this anchor of the newly built Hammetts Wharf complex is located in the heart of the Newport harborfront which lends an energetic pulse to the property, though the rooms are quiet retreats. Common areas inside and out are reserved exclusively for guests' use.

At the north end of Bellevue Avenue, this elegant redbrick hotel dates back to 1926 and features guest rooms in earth tones with antique-look furnishings and beds with pillow-top mattresses and Egyptian cotton sheets. One Bellevue restaurant serves three meals and afternoon tea, and the Top of Newport rooftop bar has spectacular views of the waterfront and Newport Harbor.

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.

A light-filled atrium lobby with rope-draped seating areas—including hanging chairs surrounding a fountain—and a front desk that looks like a boat set a contemporary nautical tone at this luxury hotel on the harbor at Long Wharf. Rooms overlook the atrium, city, or waterfront, while fifth-floor rooms face the harbor and have doors that open onto large decks. A spa, fitness center, indoor pool, and waterfront restaurant and bar make this a true destination resort.