Cliff Walk

On one side, take in the stunning coastline and on the other you'll get a stellar view of many of Newport’s gilded age era mansions.

The turn of the century brought millionaires and their heirs and heiresses to the Newport shoreline and along with them, some big houses. Taking their inspiration from Versailles and Italy’s Renaissance palazzos, The Vanderbilt’s built The Breakers and Marble House, Doris Duke commissioned Rough Point, and heiress Theresa Oelrichs built Rosecliff. Tours are a summertime highlight as many close during the rest of the year.

This classic New England hotel is situated on the mouth of Newport’s famous Cliff Walk, a seaside trail dotted with historic mansions, like the Vanderbilt family’s wonderfully, over-the-top summer homes The Breakers and The Marble House. It was the first mansion built along this route for Congressman Chanler and his wife, an Astor heiress, and it has been carefully restored. Each of the 20 rooms and private villas (most with seaside views, many with terraces) are decorated according to a historic period from Colonial to Greek Revival (with plenty of antiques and finds from the current owners’ travels.) Though the result is pretty trad—overstuffed chairs, voluminous drapes, four-poster beds—the hotel still feels remarkably unstuffy, and actually pretty romantic. Take advantage of their transportation service when you’re ready to head into town—they’ll drop you off and pick you up at any point, meaning you can avoid Newport’s notably tricky parking situation. Plus, during the summers the hotel offers a “Beach Butler” who will set you up on the beach of your choice with chairs, towels, an umbrella, a picnic lunch, and a ride to and from.