Inn on Bellevue

Spanning three buildings: the Inn on Bellevue, the Bellevue Manor, and the Bellevue House, the Inn on Bellevue is centrally located to many of the popular tourist attractions in Newport. The emphasis here is on location and history, both the main building -- the Inn on Bellevue and the Bellevue House -- date back to the 1800s while the Bellevue Manor is slightly more contemporary. The Bellevue House was built as a house, but converted in 1828 into the inn it is now, and holds the distinction of being the first summer hotel in Newport. The main building, the Inn on Bellevue, was built in 1891 as a home for the silversmith, William Fludder. Later, the home was converted into a classic inn with an emphasis on European flair. The majority of the rooms are smaller, with one or two queen-size beds, so expect to see predominantly couples. With three buildings, there are quite a few common areas for guests to use. Bellevue Manor has a lovely front porch set with rocking chairs, and a covered back patio area with tables and chairs. The Inn on Bellevue has a small lobby with a few couches and chairs, a back room (where snacks are laid out each afternoon), and an upstairs full kitchen and sitting area. The full kitchen has a communal refrigerator, stove, and table where guests can cook or eat dinner. The Bellevue House is the only building without any common areas, but guests can use the other buildings amenities. For those who want the same bed-and-breakfast scene, but with a modern twist, consider Gilded, a Lark Hotel -- a funky take on the Gilded Age period, but at a slightly higher price. Travelers who prefer to be closer to downtown and have more amenities might consider Newport Hotel and Marina, featuring a pool, on-premise restaurant, and more modern digs at a lower cost. 

Composed of three buildings located on historic Bellevue Avenue, the Inn on Bellevue is within easy walking distance of popular Newport tourist attractions. Top of Newport is across the street in the Hotel Viking and is the highest rooftop bar in Newport with stunning views of the city. The famous Cliff Walk -- a three-and-a-half mile walkway bordering the shore through historic mansions -- is an eight-minute drive or a 17-minute walk. There are plenty of public beaches throughout Newport, but Easton’s Beach (adjacent to the Cliff Walk) is the closest to the hotel at a six-minute drive and a 20-minute walk. The popular Perry Mill Wharf and Thames Street is a 13-minute walk from the hotel and features the marina, plenty of shopping, and lovely restaurants. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a seven-minute walk, while the Naval War College Museum, on Coasters Harbor Island, is a 15-minute drive. Two shopping centers are an 11-minute walk from the hotel and have a grocery store, a convenience store, and several restaurants. The Newport Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. There is plenty of parking at the hotel, and a car is not necessary to get around Newport City -- parking can be difficult to find in the high season. 

The 39 rooms at the Inn on Bellevue are spread out across three buildings -- within a five-minute walk of one another -- and are individually designed, featuring different layouts. The main building, Inn on Bellevue, features the lobby, main breakfast area, and nine of the 39 rooms. Both the Inn on Bellevue and the Bellevue House (located directly behind the Inn on Bellevue) have a historical vibe with period furniture pieces, colonial-style door latches, and varnished mirrors. Both buildings were converted from houses into inns, paying homage to the history of Newport. The Bellevue Manor, a three-minute walk down Bellevue Avenue from the main building, is slightly more contemporary than the other two buildings. Though the emphasis here is on history and an authentic look and not modern, updated rooms. Travelers can choose between several different room categories, from spacious Two-Bedroom Suites to tiny Economy Rooms. Amenities vary throughout; some rooms come with fireplaces, some have in-room whirlpool tubs, and some offer little more than bare amenities. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, daily housekeeping, and air-conditioning. The updated, modern bathrooms are especially nice within the historical buildings and come with tile standing showers (except the rooms with whirlpool tubs), toiletries, and hairdryers. Some bathrooms are deconstructed with sinks separated from the toilet and shower. 

As with most bed-and-breakfasts, the Inn on Bellevue has a limited number of amenities. The free breakfast consists of a few hot dishes, pastries, and coffee. Snacks of chips, granola bars, and tea are set out in a common area and free coffee is available all day. There are free parking lots -- a nice extra in Newport, where parking can be tough to find or expensive during high season. There is a small, tranquil spa housed in a separate building between Bellevue and Bellevue Manor. The spa offers massages, facials, and scrubs for an additional fee. Some concierge services and local information is available through the front desk. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, it tends to be a bit spotty in some areas.