Review: Newport Harbor Island Resort

Why book? There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Newport, but none can compete with this one's piece of real estate: a private-ish island just outside the downtown core, with sweeping views of Newport Harbor.

Set the scene Although it’s changed ownership, management, and names several times over the years, this is one of Newport’s most tried and true hotel options—and fresh off a major renovation, it feels more relevant than ever. They’ve got a huge weddings and conferences business, they’re great for families, it’s a foolproof solution for city couples looking to escape for a weekend, and it occupies a breathtaking stretch of waterfront. When you’re here, it’s really a choose-your-own-adventure situation: venture off-property into nearby downtown, or spend the duration of your stay soaking up the sun poolside.

The backstory The $50 million property-wide renovation, which debuted this spring, was desperately needed. Whereas other Newport hotels really lean into the town’s “Gilded Age” history, Newport Harbor Island Resort stands out with its coastal contemporary aesthetic, complete with clean lines and a soft color palette that lets the outside views of the harbor shine. One of the design details we loved most was the addition of over 200 nautical-inspired weavings, some created with reclaimed materials, and hung as art pieces throughout the property. They were commissioned from local artisans and weaving guilds as a nod to New England’s weaving past.

The rooms Speaking of water views, most of the 257 rooms and 18 suites have them. We stayed in a Waterview King with a private balcony–and it was the kind of room you won’t feel guilty about lounging in all day long. While the rooms look great, there are a few design flaws that stood out, underscoring how the renovation was largely cosmetic and didn’t involve much structural changes to the rooms—like a work desk with no discernable outlets for charging devices and a towel hook in the bathroom which hangs directly over the toilet.

Food and drink F&B is a standout. The renovation brought several welcome changes, including new signature restaurant 1639, a revitalized menu for the poolside Pineapple Club, and the addition of Torpedo Bar & Lounge (which features an expanded patio and new pergola system). We weren’t able to visit 1639 as it only operates on Friday and Saturday evenings, but all our meals at Torpedo were excellent. We’re happy to report that Torpedo passed our most stringent litmus test for any “modern New England” restaurant: its lobster roll, served on Parker House rolls with just a hint of tarragon, was superb.

The spa It’s one of the better spas in Newport. While treatment rooms were on the smaller side, our massage was terrific, and the product lineup of Pure Fiji and SkinCeuticals offers a great balance of aromatherapy-infused body products and high-efficacy skincare.

The neighborhood Goat Island is about a fifteen minute walk into the downtown core of Newport where you’ll find all the best restaurants, shops, historic sites, and boat launches. Included in your $47 nightly resort fee are house bikes for rent, a shuttle into town that runs every half-hour all year round, and a water taxi from mid-May through mid-September. The resort is close enough to have the best of Newport at your fingertips, yet just removed enough from the brouhaha that you can have a relaxing waterfront stay that feels worlds away from the crowds.

The service Interactions with individual staff—the valet, the restaurant crew, the Bakery barista—were warm and personable. But there were a few structural hiccups along the way: for example, a busload of conference attendees arrived just as we went to check out, and a line of some sixty guests quickly overwhelmed the front desk staff. Listen, it’s not easy to operate a hotel of this scale in such a seasonal market as Newport, where staff can be challenging to source—but overall, there was help and service when we needed it, and everyone seemed positively chuffed to show off the new renovation.

Eco effort We were told that there are no single-use plastics on the property—although there were two disposable plastic water bottles waiting for us in our room. That being said, water refill stations have been installed on each floor as part of the renovation.

Accessibility The (surprisingly quick) elevators reach every floor of the hotel, and there are accessible rooms available.

Anything left to mention? We need to underscore the fabulous saltwater pool here—not only is this the only hotel in Newport with an outdoor pool, but it also occupies a one-in-a-million stretch of property in front of the harbor, with unobstructed views of the Newport Bridge and the Rose Island Lighthouse. It doesn’t get much more New England-y than this, folks.