Pros

  • Riverfront property, near downtown restaurants and attractions
  • Cozy rooms have river views, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs
  • Fireplaces, kitchenettes, and whirlpool tubs in some rooms
  • Free breakfast, plus free evening sherry and cookies
  • Dining room serves free coffee and tea all day
  • Boat docking space, with advanced notice
  • Seasonal bikes for borrow
  • Freebies include outdoor parking and Wi-Fi
  • In-room champagne, cheese plates, flowers, and truffles (for a fee)
See More Pros

Cons

  • Free breakfast is basic
  • Strict cancellation policy requires five days notice
  • Rooms on the first floor can be noisy; thin room walls
See More Cons

Bottom Line

Perched on the riverfront, the three-pearl Steamboat Inn is a charming property next to Mystic's historical drawbridge. The location offers boat slips and is within walking distance to downtown’s restaurants, galleries, and shops. Guests can also borrow bikes to explore on wheels. The 11 rooms are decorated in antique furnishings and feature lovely river views, and some have fireplaces or kitchenettes. A simple breakfast is provided for free, along with sherry and snacks in the evening. Parking and Wi-Fi are additional free perks. Guests may want to compare rates at the Whaler’s Inn, which has an on-site restaurant.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

Steamboat Inn

Scene

Riverfront hotel with nautical design and homey perks

A brick-lined parking lot leads to the two-floor, white-painted Steamboat Inn that sits on the Mystic River. The tiny lobby has a stained-glass steamboat design behind the front desk, while the Common Room has black-and-white tiling, seashell-inspired chairs, and wreaths made of seashells. There’s no elevator, but a small staircase leads to the second floor, which is set with a striped sofa and bin of firewood. Nautical paintings -- some of which were painted by one of the owners -- adorn the walls. The property has a bed-and-breakfast vibe, but lacks the intimacy and made-to-order breakfasts typically found in proper B&Bs. The inn is a popular choice among traveling couples since downtown attractions are in close walking distance. Outside, there are benches on a private dock next to the river. 

See More Scene

Location

Overlooking Mystic River in downtown, near shops and restaurants

Sitting on the Mystic River, this hotel enjoys a beautiful location and views of the historic Mystic River Bascule Bridge. The inn has a private dock with boat slips as well. Downtown shops, galleries, and restaurants -- including the iconic Mystic Pizza and popular Mystic Sweets & Ice Cream Shoppe -- are within five to 10 minutes on foot. The Mystic Seaport’s museum and the Amtrak station are a 12-minute and 18-minute walk, respectively. The Mystic Aquarium and Olde Mistick Village are a 10-minute drive away. Parking at the hotel is free. 

See More Location

Rooms

Eleven nautical-themed rooms feature homey decor, water views, and fireplaces in six

Named after ships that were built in Mystic, the 11 individually decorated rooms feature antique and comfy furnishings, historic artwork, nautical touches, and pine furniture. Rooms are arranged from the dock level -- which can be noisy -- to the second floor. Six of the rooms have wood-burning fireplaces in sitting areas that have windows overlooking the river. Kitchenettes with microwaves and wet bars are in the Carolyn, Kathleen, Early Dawn, Valiant, and Harmony rooms. All rooms have mini-fridges and many have sofa beds. Free Steamboat Inn tote bags are a thoughtful extra. Bathrooms have either walk-in showers, shower/tub combos, or whirlpool tubs, and all include hairdryers and toiletries. In-room champagne, cheese plates, flowers, and truffles can be ordered for an additional fee. Accessible rooms are also available.

See More Rooms

Features

Homey lounge with free breakfast, a private dock, and bikes for borrow

They homey Common Room offers free snacks, coffee, and tea throughout the day, plus sherry and cookies each evening. In the morning, there's a free spread that includes muffins, oatmeal, eggs, and fruit, but a full made-to-order breakfast isn't available. The property has docking space with electricity available for a fee, and reservations must be made prior to arrival. Guests who want to cycle through downtown can borrow bikes and helmets. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Mugs and shirts with the Steamboat Inn logo are also available for purchase in the reception area. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Steamboat Inn

Scene

Riverfront hotel with nautical design and homey perks

A brick-lined parking lot leads to the two-floor, white-painted Steamboat Inn that sits on the Mystic River. The tiny lobby has a stained-glass steamboat design behind the front desk, while the Common Room has black-and-white tiling, seashell-inspired chairs, and wreaths made of seashells. There’s no elevator, but a small staircase leads to the second floor, which is set with a striped sofa and bin of firewood. Nautical paintings -- some of which were painted by one of the owners -- adorn the walls. The property has a bed-and-breakfast vibe, but lacks the intimacy and made-to-order breakfasts typically found in proper B&Bs. The inn is a popular choice among traveling couples since downtown attractions are in close walking distance. Outside, there are benches on a private dock next to the river. 

See More Scene

Location

Overlooking Mystic River in downtown, near shops and restaurants

Sitting on the Mystic River, this hotel enjoys a beautiful location and views of the historic Mystic River Bascule Bridge. The inn has a private dock with boat slips as well. Downtown shops, galleries, and restaurants -- including the iconic Mystic Pizza and popular Mystic Sweets & Ice Cream Shoppe -- are within five to 10 minutes on foot. The Mystic Seaport’s museum and the Amtrak station are a 12-minute and 18-minute walk, respectively. The Mystic Aquarium and Olde Mistick Village are a 10-minute drive away. Parking at the hotel is free. 

See More Location

Rooms

Eleven nautical-themed rooms feature homey decor, water views, and fireplaces in six

Named after ships that were built in Mystic, the 11 individually decorated rooms feature antique and comfy furnishings, historic artwork, nautical touches, and pine furniture. Rooms are arranged from the dock level -- which can be noisy -- to the second floor. Six of the rooms have wood-burning fireplaces in sitting areas that have windows overlooking the river. Kitchenettes with microwaves and wet bars are in the Carolyn, Kathleen, Early Dawn, Valiant, and Harmony rooms. All rooms have mini-fridges and many have sofa beds. Free Steamboat Inn tote bags are a thoughtful extra. Bathrooms have either walk-in showers, shower/tub combos, or whirlpool tubs, and all include hairdryers and toiletries. In-room champagne, cheese plates, flowers, and truffles can be ordered for an additional fee. Accessible rooms are also available.

See More Rooms

Features

Homey lounge with free breakfast, a private dock, and bikes for borrow

They homey Common Room offers free snacks, coffee, and tea throughout the day, plus sherry and cookies each evening. In the morning, there's a free spread that includes muffins, oatmeal, eggs, and fruit, but a full made-to-order breakfast isn't available. The property has docking space with electricity available for a fee, and reservations must be made prior to arrival. Guests who want to cycle through downtown can borrow bikes and helmets. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Mugs and shirts with the Steamboat Inn logo are also available for purchase in the reception area. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Free Breakfast

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.