Newport Harbor Island Resort

The hotel's contemporary lobby makes an immediate impression. Mirrored columns, modern furnishings, and a cool tiled backdrop stand out from behind the front desk. There’s also a relaxing outdoor deck overlooking the property, facing the Pell Bridge. The grounds are manicured with Adirondack chairs scattered throughout. S’mores kits, available to purchase in The Bakery off the lobby, can be enjoyed at the outdoor fireplace by Pineapples by the Bay.

However, the hallways are dingy and drab, the walls are thin, and even with hotel-enforced quiet hours, sometimes you’re going to have an obnoxious guest or wedding party making a lot of noise, especially during the busy season.

The hotel is located on Goat Island, a small island off the coast of Newport. The hotel has a water shuttle, but it's also just a 10-minute walk across the bridge to downtown Newport.

Newport is located in Rhode Island, and is famous for the restored, historic New England mansions dotting the coast and its downtown area. Architecture and history buffs will find plenty to explore in the National Historic Landmark District, at the Newport Historical Society, and all along Bellevue Avenue where some of the most impressive homes are located, such as the famous Breakers Mansion. Some of the mansions are open for guided tours.

Aside from being rich in history and architecture, Newport also plays hosts to a number of music and film festivals each year, including the Newport Jazz Festival (past performers include Miles Davis and Duke Ellington), Newport Folk Festival in Fort Adams State Park, and Newport International Film Festival.

Tennis, yachting, and golf are popular in Newport, as you might be expect of an area teeming with wealthy individuals. The International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Newport Country Club are both in town.

If nature is more your thing, check out Gooseberry Beach located on Ocean Drive or enjoy the extremely popular Cliff Walk. It’s been designated a National Recreation Trail and runs about 3.5 miles along the shore.

Sometimes you just want to shop and eat, however. Downtown Newport is bursting with shops, cute boutiques and galleries. After you’ve exhausted your credit card and feet, pop into one of the many waterfront restaurants serving up fresh seafood and other local cuisine.

• 35-minute drive to T. F. Green Airport
• 80-minute drive to Boston Logan Airport
• 10-minute walk to downtown Newport
• 4-minute drive to downtown Newport
• 5-minute drive to Museum of Newport History
• 7-minute-drive to Cliff Walk and local beaches
• 9-minute drive to Breakers Mansion
• 30-minute drive to Kingston and Amtrak station
• 4-hour drive to New York City

Decorated in blues and whites, the rooms at the hotel have a nautical look to them, which is fitting given the location overlooking the water. Some rooms have views of the lighthouse and the bay, but others overlook the parking lot or front entrance -- it all depends on the wing of the hotel. The rooms are spacious enough, though some have tiny bathrooms, and have up-to-date technology: flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and Wi-Fi (you pay for it in the resort fee). But the hallways leading to the rooms are drab, dingy, and darker than you’d expect from this caliber of hotel.

• iPod docks
• 25-inch (or larger) flat-screen TVs
• Mini-fridges and coffee makers
• Portico bath products
• Hypo-allergenic rooms available
• Some rooms have water views of the bay and harbor.
• Liberty Suite has a balcony, separate seating area, and mini-fridge.

• Full-service Spa with sauna and Spa Sun Deck
• Indoor freshwater pool; outdoor saltwater pool (seasonal)
• 24-hour fitness center with cardio machines, free weights, and more
• Free hotel shuttle and water shuttle to downtown Newport
• 24-hour business center with copying, faxing, printing, and basic office supplies (for purchase)
• Free bike rentals and activities such as yoga, wine tasting, and mixology classes
• Resort fee includes Wi-Fi access, bottled water in the rooms, water shuttle to and from downtown and Newport.
• Self-parking is not included under the resort fee and from March to October costs USD35 per night and from November to February is a little cheaper at USD25 per night
• View the full list of amenities

• 1639 serves fresh seafood and prime meats for lunch and dinner, alongside views of the harbor and bay.
• The Pineapple Club offers fresh seafood and locally grown, regional dishes outdoors, with live entertainment and an outdoor fire pit.
• The upscale, hip Torpedo Bar & Lounge in the lobby offers a light menu featuring local seafood and specialty cocktails.
• The Bakery has coffee, fruits, breakfast items, sandwiches and other ready-made treats.