Mill Street Inn

There are many historic inns in Newport, but there are few like the Mill Street Inn. Most historic hotels in the area have painstakingly striven to maintain original character and period details. And while this is all well and good, the Mill Street Inn offers a breath of fresh air to travelers who may be looking for something other than Queen Anne furniture and traditional decor. While the exterior of the Mill Street Inn maintains its original character, the interior is completely modern, with slate floors in the entry way, contemporary furniture in the guest rooms, and a minimalist aesthetic in the bathrooms. The hotel doesn’t see much hustle and bustle (after all there are only 23 rooms), so the tiny lobby maintains a quiet atmosphere. The breakfast room, just down a few stairs from the lobby, has a small crowd each morning for breakfast, and in the afternoons when tea and snacks are served. While kids are welcome here, there certainly isn’t much for them to do. It should also be noted that the hotel does not have an elevator, which could pose an issue for guests with mobility issues. There's a handicap accessible/stroller friendly entrance on the side of the hotel, but entering through the front door does require a few steps to reach the lobby.  

The Mill Street Inn is located on Mill Street, as expected, a tiny one-way thoroughfare that connects Thames Street with Bellevue Avenue. Guests can easily walk to the shops and restaurants on Thames, a nice feature considering Newport parking is nothing short of a nightmare (and it’s expensive). The famed Newport mansions are about a six-minute drive from the hotel, and the beginning of the Cliff Walk, a lovely three-and-a-half mile cliff-side path that meanders along the coast, is about a four-minute drive. Driving to Easton’s Beach will take about seven minutes, and Second Beach will take about nine. T.F. Green Airport is 40 minutes by car, while the city of Providence is 50 minutes.  

For such a small hotel, the all-suite rooms at the Mill Street Inn are uncharacteristically large. Exposed brick walls and contemporary furniture give rooms a modern feeling, but there’s also a subtle nautical theme, thanks to blue-gray and white striped carpeting, polished silver lamps, and light blue accents scattered about the space. Though there are three different types of suites, each with a different layout, decor and amenities remain relatively the same throughout. Each suite features a king-size down featherbed with crisp white 300 thread count sheets. All suites have a living area, complete with a loveseat, small arm chair, fully stocked minibar, flat-screen TV, and a coffee table stacked with funky books like “101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die” or “Other People’s Love Letters.” Studio Suites have a combined living/bedroom area, while Deluxe Suites have separate living and bedroom areas. The latter option is popular with families who use the sleeper sofa in the living room as a separate bedroom for the kids. The two-story Townhouse Suites, the largest of the three options, have private rooftop decks with incredible views of Newport Harbor.  Bathrooms at the Mill Street Inn are small, which is a bit of a let down considering the size of the rooms. However, they are luxuriously appointed, with marble finishes and oversized walk-in showers with rainfall and high pressure showerheads. There are plenty of fluffy white towels, and Lather toiletries, including soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. None of the bathrooms have bathtubs, which may be a problem for families with young children. 

In a town with horridly expensive parking, free parking could be considered the inn's ultimate feature. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, and serves a lovely, and free, continental breakfast each morning. The breakfast spread usually includes typical continental fare like muffins and pastries, but the Mill Street Inn also serves other yummy items like quiche and frittatas. Drinks include juice, tea, and coffee beverage of choice from Nespresso machines. Afternoon tea is served in the same room each afternoon (just a few steps down from the lobby), and tends to include snacks like salted caramel brownies and toffee crunch blondies. Besides these perks, the hotel doesn’t offer much else in the way of amenities. There is no pool, spa, fitness center, or on-site restaurant, but this is typical of other inns in the area.