TL;DR

Location: Newport, Rhode Island, near the Atlantic Coast and historic mansions.
History: Colonial mansion built in 1760 with preserved 18th- and 19th-century details.
Style: English Country manor meets upscale Atlantic interiors.
Character: Original shipping magnate home with rumored smuggling tunnels.
Check prices here at Expedia

It’s easy to forget that Newport, RI had an extensive history before nearly every famous American family built a summer home there.

Francis Malbone House Inn, a Colonial mansion, turned boutique hotel by Newport Harbor is a charming reminder.

It’s a small slice of a history often overshadowed by Newport’s dozens of Gilded Age monuments.

Built in 1760, the house was originally built for a shipping magnate that was rumored to have installed smuggling tunnels in the cellar that lead to the harbor.

Smuggling tactics not withstanding, the 18th century details have been preserved, and touches of upscale interiors throughout the Revolution, 1812, and the Civil War abound.

It’s English Country manor meets Atlantic Coast in all the best of ways.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 18
Style: Period furnishings with antiques, damask, chintz, and four-posters.
Room types: Divided by wing – Courtyard, Harbor, Garden, or City.
Amenities: Fireplaces, seating, TVs, Bose stereos, luxurious robes, soaking tubs or jacuzzis.
Suites: Two lavish suites with patios or jacuzzi tubs.
See each room in detail here at Expedia

Furnishings and decor don’t attempt to modernize, enjoying the novelty of a house a century older than the majority of Newport’s famed mansions.

They stick to period pieces at Francis Malbone House Inn; gorgeous antiques, damask, chintz and four-posters that speak history at every angle.

Historic inns rarely have standardized rooms, this is no exception. Rooms at Francis Malbone are divided by ‘wing’, that is, near the Courtyard, the Harbor, the Garden, 0r the city.

Beyond that, amenities will differ slightly, but the commitment to comfort and beauty doesn’t change a bit.

No matter which you pick, they’ll include fireplaces, seating, and some not-so-historical TVs and Bose stereos.

There are two suites, arguably the most lavish, one with a jacuzzi tub, the other with a patio shared with Courtyard Room 2.

Bathrooms are also on the more modern side, featuring Chadsworth and Haig Bathrobes, glass-walled showers and, in some cases, delightful soaking tubs.

What are prices like?

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And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Style: B&B accommodations with gourmet breakfasts.
Meals: Multi-course breakfasts starting at 8am, coffee available from 7am.
Extras: Afternoon tea service, grilled pizza, lemon squares, and fresh baked goods.
Common areas: Read, socialize, drink coffee, or play board games.

We love the B&B tradition, if not for anything else, then for the gourmet breakfasts you can wake up to.

Francis Malbone does not disappoint, with coffee available at 7am and a multi-course breakfast ready by 8.

Go crazy at the buffet if you choose, with fresh baked goods, fruits and granola. The main dish, however, is a choice between two lovely warm options and is worth some space in your stomach.

In an inn with plenty of influence from the English Aristocracy, afternoon tea service is a given.

And sure, the grilled pizza may not be the most traditional option, but don’t turn it down either.

If your tooth is more on the sweet side, lemon squares too are a pro tip.

Finally, the Inn has some truly delightful common areas where you can read, socialize, drink a coffee, or play board games provided by the hotel.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Location: Near Bowen’s Wharf, cafés, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Museums & mansions: Newport Art Museum, Elms Mansion, and other landmarks walking distance.
Cliff Walk: 3.5-mile path with Atlantic views.
Access: Easy 2-mile walk or short drive to South Entrance and Seaview Ave.
Other highlights: Bellevue Avenue restaurants and bars.

You’ll be right by the sea at Francis Malbone House Inn, and an easy walk to the cafés and restaurants at Bowen’s Wharf.

It’s also a nice place to get your souvenir shopping in.

The Sailing Museum is spitting distance, and the Newport Art Museum, Elms Mansion and more are walking distance.

If you’re in for a trek, one of the town’s main attractions is Cliff Walk, a 3.5 mile path that circles the peninsula.

From the coast, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic, the rocks, and Newport’s famous mansions.

Bellevue Avenue is an easier walk, where you can find a selection of restaurants and bars.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

”I had the most amazing stay at Francis Malbone House. The house was conveniently located and had the most charming rooms, kitchen, and parlors. But the food was the best and enough to bring me back! Each day you had a choice of savory or sweet entree for breakfast (and that was after you could come early for coffee, tea, and muffins, croissants, yogurt, and fresh fruit….”

”The staff here are the real draw. They are perhaps the most friendly staff I’ve ever encountered at any lodging anywhere. The food was incredible. The grounds and house are amazing. I don’t usually gush in reviews, but this place lived up to the hype. If I come to Newport again, I’m staying here…..”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Everything was fantastic… amazing food and staff and charming building. My only small complaint was the bathroom was a little dated and not my favorite…..”

”Great location and very cool and historic hotel. Just a suggestion, “garden suites” are not necessarily around the garden. Unfortunately our “garden” room was up 4 flights of stairs and no elevator. Confirm your rooms exact location before booking so there are not any surprises. I would not have booked that room knowing what we now know. Other than that, place is great and the breakfast was excellent…..”

> Read all the reviews right here