8 Best Rhode Island Vacation Destinations

With a crisp white main building, a plush green lawn dotted with reclining chairs and an unspoiled dock and marina sprinkled with elegant contemporary yachts and more traditional sailboats, the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina is quintessential Coastal living at its finest. The contemporary hotel sits on the harbor of Narragansett Bay in Newport’s historic district and boasts panoramic views and easy access to all the region’s rich history, fine dining, fun activities and breathtaking scenery.

The hotel is only a short walk from the ferry and directly adjacent to Bowen’s Wharf. The historic cobblestone streets in the area make for a picture-perfect stroll to all the fantastic local shopping and restaurants. Guests can dine at any number of wonderful restaurants nearby or choose the on-site Saltwater Restaurant and enjoy locally inspired seafood menu with harbor views. Signature dishes include a tasty deconstructed New England clam chowder and a locals’ favorite lobster boil.

The majestic Castle Hill Inn stands tall on the secluded west end of Newport’s famous Ocean Drive, overlooking Castle Hill Cove. Surrounded by water on three sides, the classic Victorian inn offers exclusive access to a 40-acre peninsula with a rocky coastline, stunning views and plenty of fresh air.

The 33-room resort brings all the finest touches of yesteryear to the forefront and seamlessly blends today’s modern comforts into the mix. The result is a perfect timeless getaway with appealing public gathering spaces that feature rich wood grains, cozy furniture and an elegant fireplace. Guest rooms are light and bright with nod to the nautical culture. Each room independently decorated in a variety of tastes – all of which feature current comforts and modern conveniences.

Guests can prepare for first-class dining at The Mansion, where guests can dine on distinctly native cuisine in the formal dining area or enjoy al fresco dining on the lawn. The culinary team incorporates a passionate seasonal menu that perfectly mirrors the sophistication and flair of the classic seaside inn.

Ideally situated in the heart of Newport, the Bayberry is an intimate, seven-room bed and breakfast with Jacuzzi tubs in select suites. Explore history, walk the streets, play in the ocean – and then return to your accommodations and kick back in a relaxing jetted tub that will relax your bones and set the mood for complete relaxation.

From vibrant colors, charming-and-comfy furniture to top-of-the-line lines and posh bath amenities, the Bayberry scores points with discerning travelers by excelling with the finer details of a vacation. When it’s time to head out and explore, it’s just as easy to get to the Cliff Walk, ferry, Bowen’s Wharf and King’s Park Beach to the west as it is to access Easton Beach and Atlantic Beach on the east side.

Before you depart, make plans to enjoy the signature morning harvest breakfast that’s prepared fresh each morning by the boutique inn’s executive chef. The hearty breakfast is a great way to fuel up for a big day of enjoyment in the historic region.

The regal Hotel Viking is an iconic local landmark resort with a classic timeless elegance. The historic hotel presents everything you’d expect – unmatched accommodations, an undying attention to detail, impeccable dining, exceptional convenience to local attractions and a soothing on-site spa.

Every guest room and suite at the Hotel Viking has been recently renovated with the utmost in comfort and contemporary flair. Rooms feature Egyptian cotton linens, pillow-top mattresses, ornate headboards, rain shower heads and terry-cloth robes. Guests can take a dip in the indoor pool or book a pampering treatment at the hotel’s noted spa, Spa Fjor.

You don’t have to go far to find wonderful eats. One Bellevue Restaurant at the hotel offers American bistro dining with culinary treasures from the sea and land served up on a healthy and inviting menu. Hill Market should be your first stop each morning for fresh coffee, squeezed juices and handmade pastries hot out of the oven. Top of Newport Bar + Kitchen serves up cocktails, brews and light bites like Lobsta’ Rolls with a side order of seaside views and glorious sunsets from its private patio.

When you think of the Dog Days of Summer, it’s only fitting that Paws on Pelham in Newport should come to mind. The pet-friendly hotel is a haven for owners and their fur-babies who want to get away for a relaxing romp in historic Newport. The 13-room boutique hotel takes the term dog-friendly to a new level with guest rooms that feature king or queen beds for the humans and cozy dog beds for their canine companions.

There’s nothing better than a vacation with your pet, especially when you know there won’t be any issues with the accommodations. At Paws on Pelham, pooches can explore fun public spaces like the cute “Rufftop Deck” during down times when you’re not out sniffing around the harbor’s intriguing shops and scrumptious restaurants.

The hotel has several fun offerings through local partnerships – everything from boat charters to breathtaking helicopter tours. On your way out for the day, stop by for a filling Grab & Go breakfast courtesy of the resort. It’s definitely something to bark about.

Paws on Pelham has a solid menu of spa services for homo-sapiens, including massages, facials, body scrubs, wraps and other revitalizing and detoxifying treatments.

Travelers looking for something unique with a nod to history rave about The Vanderbilt, an iconic 19th Century mansion located in downtown Newport less than a block from America’s Cup Avenue. Originally an epic period home, the 33-room property has been fully renovated to restore its past glory and incorporate modern conveniences. Today, The Vanderbilt welcomes guests as a highly-sought-after luxury boutique hotel that’s a hit with lovebirds, families and independent vacationers.

Guest rooms at The Vanderbilt present the ideal mix of upscale accommodations and functional space. Rooms have a simple elegance – showcasing clean lines, bright colors and a relaxing ambience. The furniture and linens are plush and stylish without being overly ornate or tacky. Public spaces are light and bright with colorful artwork to complement the many potted plants, trees and flowers around the property.

At the hotel, The Gwynne serves up classic and contemporary New England fare with favorites like fresh grilled salmon, short ribs and ribeye. The Rooftop Deck is the perfect place for a glass of wine or champagne while taking in the picturesque sunset over the harbor. At The Bar, guests can taste and hear the sounds of the Gilded Age with inspiring cocktails and lively jazz music.

The unabashed Gilded hotel in Newport embraces the rich style and vibe of a time gone past. The 17-room boutique inn presents a modern, irreverent take on the Gilded Age, and the result is an inspired vacation spot that you don’t want to miss.

The hotel overflows with vivid colors and patterns around every corner. A combination of decorative mirrors, lacquered surfaces, and gold accents come together to create contemporary decor that pushes the bounds of style unlike anything else in the region.

Suites at Gilded are spacious, individually decorated and have all of today’s modern touches like king or queen beds, private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. The hotel offers immediate access to downtown Newport’s historic cobblestone streets and excellent shopping, dining, boating, whaling and cultural activities. The Newport Cliff Walk is only a short stroll away. Before you head out to explore, snag a fresh breakfast of coffee, juice, curated small bites and homemade baked goods at the hotel. The tapas are incredible!

The Beech Tree Inn & Cottage only has a few rooms, but don’t overlook this vacation gem. In fact, the inn’s prime location and overall intimacy is a huge part of its allure. Originally constructed in the 1880s, the historic home has been fully modernized with oversized rooms, cable TV, air conditioning, private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and boasts the “biggest breakfast in Newport.”

Guest rooms at the Beech Tree Inn & Cottage are comfy and serene. The hotel sits in a quiet residential neighborhood, and since there’s not a lot of other guests at the inn, exterior noise is usually at a minimum. In short, you can relax … and sleep! The hotel is also pet-friendly for those who want to cuddle with their four-legged friends on vacation.

The noted breakfast includes homemade bread (banana bread!), hot and cold cereals, fresh fruit salad, bread pudding, yogurt, juices, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. One taste and you’ll see why more than 500 visitors have praised the breakfast on Google Reviews.

The hotel is close to everything Newport has to offer, including impeccable dining choices, biking, canoeing, fishing, golf, kayaking, lighthouse tours and whaling. The epic Newport Cliff Walk is only a few blocks from the inn.