Bowen’s Wharf is the heartbeat of Newport’s harbor district—a cobblestoned enclave where historic brick warehouses meet a lively seafood scene, sail-rigged yachts, and year-round festivals. If you want to keep your car parked at the hotel and walk to action and energy of Bowen’s Wharf, these are the hotels to consider. Each offers its own spin on Newport charm, from Gilded Age mansions reimagined as inns to sleek waterfront retreats with harbor-view terraces.
Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina
This is as close as you can get to Bowen’s Wharf. The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina provides guests with comfortable lodging and “breathtaking views of the harbor”. It’s literally on the waterfront, offering easy access to Bowen’s and Bannister’s Wharves. From many rooms, guests can gaze at sailboats and shimmering harbor waters. The hotel is also just a block from Thames Street, so shopping and dining are all close by.
Hammetts Hotel
Situated on America’s Cup Avenue, Hammetts Hotel is a modern boutique property in the heart of Newport’s waterfront district. Its design blends industrial chic with cozy outdoor patios, making it popular with travelers seeking a hip, social atmosphere steps from Bowen’s Wharf. The hotel’s waterfront perch is just steps from Thames Street, Bannister’s Wharf, and Bowen’s Wharf, which places guests within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, and the scenic harbor.
The Brenton Hotel
The Brenton is a luxurious waterfront hotel on Newport’s harbor front. It boasts contemporary rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbor, giving guests stunning waterside views. With just 57 rooms, The Brenton has a personalized, upscale feel. Its ideal location at the corner of America’s Cup Avenue and Long Wharf means visitors are a short stroll from Bowen’s Wharf and the marina. The Brenton’s harborfront setting and modern amenities make it a stylish retreat for travelers who want immediate access to Newport’s waterfront attractions.
Newport Bay Club & Hotel
A charming inn located on nearby Mary Street, Newport Bay Club prides itself on an intimate, colonial-style ambiance. The Bay Club offers spacious suites and is known for homey touches like polished wood furniture and fireplaces. Its central spot on the edge of downtown means guests are within easy walking distance of the waterfront and waterfront attractions. The hotel offers kitchenettes in every suite and full kitchens in select larger units, making it a practical choice for families or longer stays.
The Harborside Inn Newport
Situated at 1 Christie’s Landing just off Thames Street, the Harborside Inn offers a prime in-town waterfront location. Bowen’s Wharf and Bannister’s Wharf are within two short blocks, making it easy to reach shops and restaurants on foot. The inn occupies a brick building overlooking the water, and many rooms have bay views. The Harborside combines classic Newport architecture with a prime waterside setting, ideal for those who love being right by the harbor.
Mill Street Inn
A historic boutique inn, Mill Street Inn occupies an old mill building in the Historic Hill neighborhood, just one block from bustling Thames Street. As the name suggests, it’s right on Mill Street, just a couple of blocks from the water and Bowen’s Wharf. The inn merges 19th-century charm with modern comforts: exposed brick, wood floors, and updated guest rooms.
Pelham Court Hotel
Pelham Court is an all-suite boutique hotel nestled in downtown Newport. It sits just off Thames Street on Pelham Street, putting guests mere blocks from Bowen’s Wharf. Every room is a suite with living areas and kitchenettes, making it a great choice for families and longer stays. The building’s red brick façade and courtyard entrance recall Newport’s historic style. Pelham Court’s location means shops, restaurants, and the waterfront are all a very short walk away, allowing a comfortable base close to the heart of the harbor district.
Francis Malbone House
Dating back to the 1700s, the Francis Malbone House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and forms part of the Newport Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District, on Thames Street. It feels like a little mansion set on the edge of the harbor. The inn is an 18th-century coastal New England feel but with updated features. Its on Thames Street sits just a block from the water and Bowen’s Wharf. The Francis Malbone House has old-world interiors with brick walls, antiques, and a cozy library, plus boutique amenities like fireplaces and fine linens.
Admiral Fitzroy Inn
Housed in a painted Victorian building on Thames Street, the Admiral FitzRoy Inn is a quaint inn set amid Newport’s bustling waterfront district. It isn’t directly on the wharf, but its site is only a few minutes’ stroll to Bowen’s Wharf. The inn is decorated nautically, with wood-paneled rooms and coastal accents. A complimentary continental breakfast is offered each morning. For travelers, Admiral FitzRoy provides a quieter bed-and-breakfast–style stay, while still being very near downtown and the harbor sights.
Gardiner House
One of Newport’s newest boutique hotels, Gardiner House sits right on the water at Lee’s Wharf. It was built specifically to have a modern home-like vibe and great access. The 21-room hotel places guests literally steps from the harbor and a block from Thames Street. With spacious, art-filled rooms, a gourmet restaurant, and rooftop terrace, Gardiner House feels lively yet intimate. Its standout feature is how new and design-forward it is, combined with a location that’s close to Bowen’s Wharf – you’re right by the marina and all the downtown shops.
