Newport Harbor Island Resort
Newport, Rhode Island, has been a picturesque playground for the fabulously wealthy since the Gilded Age brought a string of magnificent seaside mansions. But while the historic New England enclave boasts its fair share of charming boutique hotels and romantic inns, only one property comes close to the status of resort: the recently renovated and reconstituted Newport Harbor Island Resort (formerly Gurney’s).
Set apart from the town on Goat Island, about a mile from the colonial center, the property occupies 10 acres surrounded by water with spectacular views of the Newport Bridge spanning Narragansett Bay. The resort offers 258 guestrooms including 18 suites, multiple dining options, a spa, fitness center, meeting and event spaces, indoor and outdoor pools and a 22-slip marina. And there are plenty of spaces for a smoke on the sprawling parklike grounds with its Adirondack chairs, day beds and hammocks.
Under new ownership, the reborn property opened for the 2024 summer season following a $50 million renovation that has elevated the guestrooms and common spaces. The contemporary take on casual New England coastal design features washed woods; weathered, wide-plank oak floors strewn with hand-woven braided carpets; local handcrafted furniture tossed with throws and pillows; and over 200 creative weavings by New England artisans that hang throughout the hotel.
On-site activities include clambakes, fireside s’mores, wellness classes and movie nights. Continuous shuttles and water taxis visit the historic city center.
The Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame preserves the marine town’s legacy, which includes the America’s Cup, which was held in Newport 12 times. You can even book a harbor cruise on a schooner or a vintage 12-meter yacht.
Many of the Gilded Age mansions also host tours, where you can get a taste for how the Vanderbilts and Astors lived.
After a day of sightseeing, retreat to the resort’s Torpedo Bar & Lounge, a nod to the site’s history as a torpedo factory following the Civil War. This cozy gathering spot with a rustic stone fireplace is a great place to unwind with a drink and play some games, including darts and billiards. Outside, multilevel decks offer an array of blazing firepits overlooking the Bay, taking the chill off a crisp New England evening.
