Newport’s grand hotels get the headlines, but its bed-and-breakfast scene is where the city’s famed hospitality truly shines. From brick colonials on Historic Hill to turreted Victorians near Cliff Walk, these ten inns blend period charm with thoughtful modern touches—homemade breakfasts, porch rockers, even rooftop areas. A
1 • Francis Malbone House – Georgian Grandeur on Thames
circa 1760. Once the home of a shipping magnate, this brick mansion layers four-poster beds, working fireplaces, and a walled courtyard where guests linger over afternoon tea. Gourmet breakfast is served in twin fire-lit dining rooms, and the harbor is a two-minute stroll away.
2 • Beech Tree Inn & Cottage – Pet-Friendly Porches
Guest rooms across two neighboring Victorians. Gas fireplaces or Jacuzzi tubs warm many rooms, while a cooked-to-order breakfast (think malted waffles and local coffee) greets guests in the garden-view dining room. Dogs are not just accepted—they’re fussed over with treats at check-in.
3 • Cliffside Inn – Seaside Second-Empire Style
16 rooms, built 1876. A canary-yellow Victorian mansion overlooking Easton’s Beach. It was first a governor’s mansion (Maryland Governor Thomas Swann c. 1876). The historic building was also the summer home of 20th century painter Beatrice Turner. Interiors mix stained glass, velvet settees, and spa showers; evenings bring complimentary wine beside a marble hearth. The Cliff Walk starts less than 200 yards from the front door.
4 • Ivy Lodge – Eight-Room Gothic Gem in the Mansion District
8 rooms, 1886 High-Victorian Gothic. Guests enter through a 33-foot oak foyer and settle into rooms with whirlpool baths and fireplaces. A wrap-around porch and daily hot breakfast (often lemon-ricotta pancakes) make the lodge feel like a well-loved family home.
5 • Admiral Fitzroy Inn – Nautical Heart of Thames Street
18 hand-painted rooms, 1854 Gothic Revival/Italianate (designed by Dudley Newton). Originally a convent school, the inn now offers a glass-walled rooftop deck with harbor peeks, plus a sun-filled breakfast solarium. Each room carries a maritime theme—perfect for history buffs who like to walk everywhere.
6 • Hilltop Inn – Five-Room Townhouse Turned Hideaway
5 rooms, 1905. Perched just above Bellevue Avenue, Hilltop pairs oak paneling with modern perks like heated bathroom floors. Guests borrow bikes for mansion tours, then relax over late-day charcuterie on the back patio’s stone firepit.
7 • Paws on Pelham – A Dog’s Life in Downtown Newport
13 en-suite rooms, 1898 townhouse. Every room hides a built-in dog bed, and a fenced “Ruff-top” deck lets pups play while owners sip coffee. Human guests grab a complimentary breakfast bag before heading to the wharves three blocks away.
8 • Almondy Inn – Five-Room Victorian Near the Wharves
Built in 1890. Steps from Bannister’s Wharf, this turreted house spoils guests with evening wine-and-cheese in the parlor and cookies hot from the oven. Many rooms have bay-view balconies; all feature antique mahogany beds and Jacuzzi baths.
9 • Marshall Slocum Inn – Intimate Colonial on Kay Street
5 individually styled rooms in an 1855 colonial (plus two apartment suites). Guests wake to a continental spread on the garden deck, then borrow maps and beach chairs for the day. Original pine floors, nautical art, and on-site parking add to the “house-guest” vibe.
10 • Town & Tide Inn – Cottages and Courtyards off Memorial Boulevard
12 spa-like rooms across four clapboard buildings. Herb gardens link the Main, Garden, and Carriage Houses; breakfast is plated to order and served under trellis lights. Complimentary beach gear makes the ten-minute walk to Easton’s Beach effortless.
Making the Most of a B&B Stay
- Book direct for personal touches. Owners often slip in perks—late checkout, fresh-baked muffins for the drive—when you reserve via their own site.
- Mind historic quirks. Many rooms sit on upper floors of 19th-century staircases; if mobility is a concern, request a lower-level suite.
- Chat with your innkeeper. From secret sunset spots to the quickest mansion shuttle, local hosts are Newport’s real concierge desk.
Choose any of these ten addresses and you’ll leave feeling more like a cousin than a customer—proof that in Newport, the warmest welcome still comes with a homemade scone and a front-porch wave.
