The Best Hotels to Book in Rhode Island, New England

The Castle Hill Lighthouse is an iconic part of the Newport landscape | © Viktor Posnov / Alamy Stock Photo

Food Editor22 October 2021

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Known as the Ocean State, Rhode Island is blessed with beautiful beaches but also has plenty of history and culture to offer, especially in Newport and Providence. Opt for one of these hand-picked hotels for a perfect Rhode Island stay – bookable on Culture Trip.

The Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina, for seaside chic near Narragansett Bay

Room at the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina featuring a large bed with breakfast on, a blue carpet and windows with a view of the marina

Courtesy of the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina / Expedia

Lovers of history and boats will thrill at this chic hotel on Newport Harbor fringed by quaint cobblestone streets. Wake in your blue-hued suite and count the yachts sailing by as you sip your morning coffee. Make sure to take a dip in the heated indoor saltwater pool, but if you forget your swimsuit, it’s a five-minute walk to the Long Wharf Mall shopping center. When it’s time for dinner, sample the fresh catch of the day in the wonderfully nautically themed on-site restaurant.

Hotel Viking, for grand guest rooms near the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum

Exterior of Hotel Viking at dusk with flowers and hedges to the front and a US flag flying

Courtesy of Hotel Viking / Expedia

For those looking for a Rhode Island hotel with some historic flair, this 1920s landmark is the spot you’ve been searching for. The impressive facade of this building makes the perfect backdrop for vacation snapshots. It’s well located in the center of Newport and even has an on-site spa to knead any end-of-vacation blues out of your muscles. How will you check out of fancy rooms lined with silks, velvets and tapestries?

Mill Street Inn, for historic charm near the coastal Cliff Walk

Lounge space at Mill Street Inn with sofas and a coffee table

Courtesy of Mill Street Inn / Expedia

The Mill Street Inn offers a truly historic place to stay in Rhode Island. Housed in a renovated 19th-century mill, it combines historical beams and brick walls with contemporary comfort. Barely a block from both the waterfront and the vibrancy of bustling Thames Street, in the summer, breakfast is served on the roof terrace, which has stellar views over the scenic city and the harbor.

Block Island Beach House, for coastal chic near Crescent Beach

Bright room at Block Island Beach House with sofas and chairs and statement lighting

Courtesy of Block Island Beach House / Expedia

Filled with the natural textures, shiplap walls and vintage surfboards you’d expect from a stalwart on this haven for New Englanders, Block Island Beach House may make your most relaxed vacation ever. It’s a real slice of traditional beachside life five minutes’ walk from the Block Island ferry, where passengers can sip a bloody mary en route to its balmy beaches. Some rooms have views over the ocean, and make sure to hit up the beach bar before you head back home.

Graduate Providence, for a design-led delight near Burnside Park

Grand lobby at Graduate Providence with a wide staircase, a red patterned carpet, a huge chandelier and a view of the upper levels

Courtesy of Graduate Providence / Expedia

Set in the heart of the buzzing city of Providence, just 0.5mi (0.9km) from Brown University, this 1922-built hotel is the ultimate central place to stay. In-room decor is bold and graphic – think dark walls, red leather headboards and plaid throws, while the lobby woos you with step-back-in-time wood-paneled walls and wingback chairs. Whether you prefer steak or seafood, the fun atmosphere throughout makes it well suited for a celebratory stay.

The Dean Hotel, for cool custom comfort near the Rhode Island School of Design Museum

Simple room at the Dean Hotel with a bed, two wicker chairs and windows with white blinds

Courtesy of the Dean Hotel / Expedia

Fans of both history and fun will love this oh-so-cool Rhode Island hotel. The history comes from the fact that it occupies a former mission house built in 1912 in the center of Providence. The fun comes from the hotel’s theming, emphasizing the area’s bohemian leanings and vibes. Custom furniture and local artworks create a chic collection of rooms and suites, and there is a great place to eat on site, or browse the inviting eateries in the happening Downcity Arts District.

The Break Hotel, for beachy chic in Narragansett

Room at the Break Hotel with wooden floor, a double bed and a wood-burning stove

Courtesy of the Break Hotel / Expedia

A picturesque property on the water, this hotel is adorable enough to be on a postcard. If you’ve had enough of the beach, spend your days hanging by the smartly done-up saltwater pool, bedecked with orange umbrellas. The interiors channel coastal calm with ocean-inspired artwork and turquoise touches. We recommend coffee in the morning on the deck overlooking the ocean – you never know, you might just spot a mermaid.

Pelham Court House, for East-Coast elegance near Fort Adams

Room at Pelham Court House with armchairs, patterned rug and wooden floor

Courtesy of Pelham Court House / Expedia

Rich decor, from solid four-poster beds to pretty Persian rugs, channels the vintage era when this glamorous hotel opened on the first street in America with gas street lamps. The well-restored carriage house offers suites with granite-topped kitchens for fixing lazy breakfasts. Cocooned in Newport’s Harborfront District, you’re within walking distance of numerous charming shops and restaurants, in this classically East Coast place to lay your hat.

Newport Bay Club and Hotel, for bayfront bliss near First Beach

Room at Newport Bay Club and Hotel with a bed, arched window and staircase

Courtesy of Newport Bay Club and Hotel / Expedia

This traditional Rhode Island hotel offers a warm welcome, thanks to its old-school red brick frontage and suites with old wooden beamed ceilings and pretty fabrics and just the odd nautical touch. Charm and character are everywhere – even the gym has rustic stone walls. Smack in the center of Newport, it’s within an area awash in sublime seafood restaurants with ocean views.

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