TL;DR
- Location: Directly across from Newport Marina in the heart of Newport Harbor.
- Design: Combines Gilded Age inspiration with minimalist sensibility.
- Hospitality: Owners prioritize guest comfort and good service.
- Affiliation: Guests can enjoy afternoon tea at the nearby Francis Malbone House.
- Check prices here
Directly across from the Newport Marina, at the center of Newport Harbor, you’ll find Gardiner House Hotel – one of the few boutique hotels in the city that wasn’t built before 1960.
A 2023 building means all the modern conveniences, but this one comes with owners that know the importance of history.
There are many sources of design inspiration in Newport to choose from, and Gardiner House went Gilded Age…ish.
It is, thankfully, tempered with a minimalist sensibility that edits the roaring opulence to perfection.
Freedom from historical reference allows Gardiner’s owners to focus on some of the heart of Newport’s charm: good hospitality.
The same proprietors own Colonial darling the Francis Malbone, and the Gardiner is like the vivacious young foil to Francis Malbone’s elegant older sister.
One is in stylish block prints holding a champagne flute, the other sports pastel florals and Wedgwood china.
Guests at Gardiner House, it should be noted, are always welcome at the Francis Malbone for afternoon tea.
What are the rooms like?
- Number of rooms: 21 modern guestrooms and suites.
- Size: Smallest room is a 350 sq ft king bed room. Suites include extra seating and balconies.
- Amenities: Smart TVs, Matouk linens, minibars, high ceilings, marble bathrooms, robes and slippers.
- See each room in detail here
You’ll love the roominess of the brand-new guestrooms at Gardiner House Hotel, the smallest of which is a 350 square foot King.
They include a small seating option (we adore the window nook) and cute table lamps selected just for the space.
The pure white color scheme features bright hues that set off the sea in the background perfectly.
There’s no furnishing at Gardiner House Hotel without a cleverly selected pop of color.
All accommodation includes Smart TVs with Netflix, Matouk linens, well-curated mini bars, and gorgeous high ceilings.
Bathrooms have white marble vanities plus robes, slippers, walk-in showers and lush Ortigia bath amenities.
Suites offer extra space for separate seating areas, and some options with daybeds, balconies, and bathtubs.
What are prices like?
And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?
- Dining: Flora Restaurant with crudo bar, off-site afternoon tea, seasonal cocktails at the Studio Bar.
- Facilities: Common areas include Gardiner Ballroom, Sunroom, Harborside Lawn.
- Extras: House bicycles, complimentary parking, in-room massage and spa services available.
Gardiner House Inn has a lovely mix of hotel and B&B amenities, with a charming breakfast included, off-site afternoon tea and more amenities on site.
This includes the enchanting Flora Restaurant, a sunny conservatory-style space with an incredible menu that pays homage to seaside cuisine worldwide.
This includes an impressive crudo bar featuring everything from carpaccio to caviar.
The Studio Bar is an artistic haven with original pieces from around the world, and a well-designed bar that feels like it wouldn’t be out of place in your rich aunt’s summer home.
It serves a seasonally rotating menu of cocktails, it’s all very Newport, and it’s very well done.
Beyond the food and drink, you’ll have common areas like the Gardiner Ballroom, Sunroom, and Harborside Lawn to explore.
House bicycles allow you to explore the town without the stress of car traffic, so leave your car with the complimentary parking.
If you overdo it, work the aches and pains out with in-room massage and spa services.
How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?
- Proximity: Steps from the sea, Bowen’s Wharf, and Newport Art Museum.
- Historic sites: Elms Mansion, Sailing Museum, and Cliff Walk within walking or biking distance.
- Accessibility: Easy to explore shops, restaurants, and waterfront without a car.
The location is pretty much unmatched. The sea is around every corner, the town around the other, with a nice collection of shops, restaurants and more are just a tiny block inland.
Bowen’s Wharf, the perfect place to check out the sea near another lively collection of cafés, shops and restaurants, is an easy walk, as is the Newport Art Museum and the Elms Mansion.
Hop on a bike or put on some comfy footwear to enjoy Newport’s famous Cliff Walk. It’s a 3.5 mile wander around the peninsula that offers grand views out towards the sea, and to some of the city’s most famous historic mansions.
And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?
Some things guests liked:
”The finishes throughout the room and location can’t be beat. The bedding was exquisite, the bathroom products were excellent, and the breakfast was a lovely offering. Overall, this is a wonderful option if you want to stay close to town in Newport and want a new, luxury stay!…”
”Best Hotel in Newport so far! BEAUTIFUL- Fresh, clean, bright, nice touches… very pleasant atmosphere in a real beautiful setting on the water. Bedding is wonderful and i love the soft, bright carpeting….”
Some things guests didn’t like:
”A bit loud at night, although it was the weekend of the Jazz Festival and the city was packed….”
”I think rooms for 2 guests should automatically have a second chair placed within.
The breakfast was somewhat repetitive and the layout of the buffet could be improved. ( I have managed enough restaurants to offer advice… a simple thing like a small label would eliminate needless lifting of chafing dish covers, and placement of glasses and juices at the very back end of the banquet table is a stretch even for me. Teaspoons
for fruit would be much better than a demi-tasse spoon. I would have wished for at least a partial view of the waterfront, even with a terrace/patio… very surprised that it wasn’t incorporated into the architectural design…..”
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