Newport is an incredible coastal destination with so much history and natural beauty to explore. This town is always worth a visit and has so much to do, no matter your interests.
I love how walkable and accessible the town is, and finding the right hotel is key. When I visited, I stayed at The Brenton, and it was the perfect home base for experiencing everything this charming Rhode Island town has to offer.
From here, it was perfect to explore Newport, with its rich sailing history, stunning Gilded Age mansions, and beautiful coastline. The Brenton is a newer boutique hotel that perfectly captures the luxurious but laid-back vibe of the town.
I received a complimentary stay from The Brenton, but all opinions are my own.
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A Perfect Central Location on the Harbor
The Brenton has a great central location right on the harbor, making it incredibly easy to walk wherever you want to go. You’re just steps away from all the shops, restaurants, and historical sights in the downtown area.
If you don’t want to walk or plan to go further, you can easily catch the free trolley that runs during the summer months and takes you just about everywhere in Newport. Between walking and the trolley, you can really get anywhere you want to go without stressing about traffic or parking.
If this is your first trip here, I have the perfect itinerary for what to do in Newport. There are so many unique activities and places, and you don’t want to miss them from the church where JFK got married to amazing “secret” sunset views and more.
Spacious Rooms You’ll Love
The hotel rooms at The Brenton are incredibly spacious and beautiful. They start at a very generous 450 square feet and go all the way up to 1200 square feet for their suites.
All the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of either the city of Newport or the harbor. I had a harbor view room, and I loved watching the boats – including the ferries – as they navigated around the water with a cup of coffee from my comfy couch.
The design is a nod to Newport’s seafaring heritage, featuring tasteful nautical elements without being kitschy in any way. Overall, the rooms are very comfortable, giving you plenty of space to spread out and relax after a busy day of sightseeing.
And at night? That fresh cookie waiting for me on my bed was one of those small, thoughtful touches that really make you feel appreciated. The Brenton does a great job of that, from the Matouk robes and bedding to the Bulgari toiletries.
The Coolest (Literally) Hallway Amenity
Instead of charging you for bottled water, they provide glass bottles in the room for you to refill in The Pantry located in the hallway. Granted, this isn’t a unique amenity, as I’m finding more and more hotels with reusable bottles in the room and water-filling stations in the hallway.
Like many, The Pantry features both still and sparkling water at the refill stations, along with a freezer stocked with bags of ice for your ice water. The best part, though, was the rest of what was in that freezer.
It’s stocked with ice cream treats that you’re welcome to enjoy, and yes, I absolutely indulged. You have your choice of ice cream sandwiches and strawberry Italian ice that’s both dairy-free and gluten-free, so those with allergies have options, too.
Dining At The Living Room
The Living Room is the on-site restaurant, set up exactly like a home’s living room just outside the reception. It’s a gathering space that just happens to include a bar and dining, and you’ll find people hanging out there throughout the day.
The space has plenty of seating types and comfortable groupings for you to enjoy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And yes, the food is absolutely fantastic.
I had the chance to enjoy several meals there, and you’re going to struggle with choosing among the options just as much as I did. The menu leans heavily towards comfort food done well, with plenty of New England classics.
The sliders were great, as were the lobster roll and the poke bowl. I highly recommend getting a few items to share to avoid menu regret.
Breakfast is equally delicious. I loved the Narragansett creamery parfait, which is essentially a fab smoothie bowl, as well as the baked egg that was so much more than just a baked egg.
While there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance – and I enjoyed many of them, as well – definitely plan for some time in The Living Room. I loved the relaxed atmosphere to start and end my busy days.
Don’t Skip the Rooftop Bar
I mentioned the gorgeous views from the hotel rooms, but don’t forget to check out the Rooftop. Head up to the top floor of the hotel for a great place to hang out from morning to sunset.
It’s open seasonally, but I know I don’t want to be up there in the cold winter weather. In addition to the chill seating to just enjoy the gorgeous views in all directions, the bar opens at four in the afternoon and remains open until the Rooftop closes at sunset.
It is the perfect spot to grab a drink and watch summer collegiate baseball with the Newport Gulls playing right across the street – and yes, you can see the games from the Rooftop. As a cool bonus, you can actually get free tickets to the games as one of the perks while you stay at The Brenton.
A Truly Dog-Friendly Destination
If you like to travel with your pets, The Brenton is a dog-friendly hotel. They don’t just tolerate dogs; they actually cater to them.
I love that they even have a specific menu you can order from for in-room dining in the evenings for your pet friends. It’s so nice to find a luxury property that treats your dog like a valued guest.
And for those who have allergies, dogs are allowed only in certain rooms. There are pet-free rooms to ensure that you don’t struggle, so make sure to ask about this when you book and check in – and do it at any pet-friendly hotel.
Borrow a Bike from The Brenton
I love that the hotel offers complimentary bikes you can borrow. They include a helmet and a bike lock so you can feel safe and secure exploring the area.
I borrowed one while I was there, and it was a great way to get to Fort Adams, the Cliff Walk, and other places in Newport. I felt totally safe biking on the streets, and I always found a place to park and lock my bike.
Pro tip: When you check out a bike, take a picture of the bike lock code so you remember what it is when you go to use it later.
The only time you really need a car is if you want to do the famous ten-mile Ocean Drive. You take this scenic route from Bellevue Avenue all around the gorgeous coastline, stop at Brenton Point State Park to relax and maybe fly a kite, and then drive back to Thames Street and Wellington Avenue. Other than that specific drive, you can walk or take free transport anywhere.
Plan Your Newport Getaway
My time at The Brenton was everything I could have wanted from a coastal Rhode Island vacation. The combination of the massive rooms, the incredible food, the complimentary bikes, and the perfect harbor location made it an unforgettable stay.
No matter what brings you to Newport, this property provides the ultimate luxury base. I’m looking forward to my next visit to Newport and another treat from the hallway pantry.