There are an abundance of Newport, Rhode Island hotels all with varying degrees of luxury, amenities, and budgets. But the most important thing for me (except for fitting my budget of course), is the location of the hotel. Location is a dealbreaker for me. Depending on the destination and what I want to do while visiting, I like to base my hotel decision on location.
So for location reasons alone, these Newport, Rhode Island hotels are the best places to stay when visiting the coastal city. Each is located in a different portion of Newport, which offers it’s own value to visitors.
Here are the best Newport, Rhode Island hotels based on location.
The lighthouse found on Goat Island at the Gurney’s Newport Hotel in Rhode Island; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
1. Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina
Gurney’s Newport Resort and Marina is located on Goat Island, it’s own tiny island of Newport. With majestic views of the Newport Bridge and glistening waters of Narragansett Bay, Gurney’s is ideally located for those who want to be a hint removed from the tourists. This Newport, Rhode Island hotel is a five-minute drive to the shops and restaurants of Bowen’s Wharf, and a 12-minute drive to The Breaker’s Mansion. So while you may feel as though you’re returning to your own island after exploring Newport, nothing is far away from this 10-acre resort hotel that I would consider casual luxury. It feels like a high-end luxury resort but still has an approachable, and casual vibe.
Gurney’s features a wide variety of rooms and suites, the majority of which feature fantastic water views (you’re on an island!). There is an indoor and seasonal outdoor, saltwater pool, boat marina, lighthouse, spa, bikes, onsite restaurants and awesome outdoor spaces for lounging, reading a book, or sipping a cocktail.
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Boutiques along Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, RI; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
2. Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina
The Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina is one of the best places to stay in Newport when you want to be within walking distance of Bowen’s Wharf. This Newport, Rhode Island hotel overlooks the marina, and is only steps away from the many shops and restaurants at the Wharf. The Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina is casual and budget-friendly in the off season and features an indoor saltwater pool, bikes, paddle boards and kayaks. There is a sundeck overlooking the harbor, lawn games, and three community fire pits for admiring the view no matter the time of year. When you want to be close to the action but able to walk back to your room, this Newport, Rhode Island hotel is the place to stay.
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3. Newport Beach Hotel and Suites
When you want to be closer to the sand and further from the shopping, stay at the Newport Beach Hotel and Suites. This beachfront, luxury hotel sits on a unique strip of land within walking distance to Easton Beach. This Newport, Rhode Island hotel is just a 15-minute walk or two-minute drive to the start of the Cliff Walk, and it’s about a seven-minute drive to The Breakers and to Bowen’s Wharf (in opposite directions).
Newport Beach Hotel and Suites features an indoor pool, rooftop sundeck with hot tubs and fire pits, bike and surfboard rentals, spa services
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4. Hotel Viking
For a more historic stay and to say you stayed on the same street as the Newport Mansions, Hotel Viking is ideally situated in the heart of downtown Newport’s Historic Hill neighborhood. Located on Bellevue Avenue, where The Elms Mansion and many others can be found, Hotel Viking is just a 15-minute walk or two-minute drive to The Elms. It is also a less than 10-minute walk to Bowen’s Wharf. 
This stately and iconic Newport, Rhode Island hotel has been welcoming guests for more than 90 years. It first opened its hotel doors in 1926 and today is filled with modern amenities and plenty of stories of famous guests who have visited through the decades. There is an onsite restaurant, heated pool and hot tub, fitness center and full-service spa for visitors to enjoy. And, this historic hotel is pet friendly!
5. The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection
If shopping is the focus of your Newport trip, than staying at the The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection will fill your cart (I mean heart). This Newport, Rhode Island hotel is within walking distance to a variety of shopping districts. Bowen’s Wharf is a five-minute walk, and a section of speciality shops and souvenir stores on Thames Street is a two-minute walk from this historic, luxury hotel.
The Vanderbilt was a former mansion built in 1909 that today offers fantastic harbor views from the rooftop space, impeccable artwork in the common areas, a small outdoor pool and lounge areas in the Garden Terrace as well as an indoor pool at the spa.
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