Wayfinder Newport

Wayfinder Newport Hotel Review | Hotels Above Par

"Rising from the ashes of a recent devastating fire, this buzzy, revamped hotel on Newport’s quieter North End has reopened with a charming, laid-back, surfer’s-hangout vibe, a new restaurant with a farm-to-fisherman menu, and one of the area’s few lively outdoor pools. I enter a panoramic lobby where varying seating nooks and modern wooden furniture in primary nautical flag colors practically beg me to sit, and the hum of activity flows into the ground-floor main restaurant. The property goes to great lengths to support Rhode Island artists and entrepreneurs, showcasing over 1,000 pieces of artwork—from a mural by the pool to guest-room wall art—while a lobby gift shop tempts with Vacation sun products, Funboy pool floats, and apparel sporting lobsters and Newport Pickleball. Across 187 guest rooms and 30 suites, the soothing muted sea-foam and sky-blue palette, natural wood, and white linens with Matouk bed throws are accented by local artists’ pieces and furnishings from Rhode Island’s O&G Studio; toiletries from Newport’s Shore Soap Co. evoke clean laundry, beach days, and sun-filled oceanside activities, and some nightstands look like antique ship-wrecked storage trunks. Several rooms overlook the pool, so if noise is a concern I’d recommend calling to reserve a specific room to your liking. Pool days are easy: grab a sunny striped towel, claim an ample lounge chair, snack on Kettle-flavored popcorn from the Poolshack, and slurp frozen cocktails between yoga classes held just outside the calming blue-hued deck. A short drive from downtown, you’ll want a car handy; my favorite thing about the hotel is being outside the hubbub of the scene. On-site dining covers the bases with Little Clam’s all-day menu (helmed by an upcoming Hell’s Kitchen chef), The Café’s grab-n-go counter, and the Poolshack’s frozen cocktails and snacks; amenities also include a small but sufficient gym, yoga, and parking with EV charging. Rated four stars, rooms start from $135 a night, and New Englanders should book the New England Neighbor Rate for extra savings and perks." - Kyra Shapurji