Wayfinder Newport
Hotel · Newport ·
Stylish rooms, updated suites, seasonal pool, restaurant & cafe
Information
151 Admiral Kalbfus Rd, Newport, RI 02840 Get directions
Stylish rooms, updated suites, seasonal pool, restaurant & cafe
151 Admiral Kalbfus Rd, Newport, RI 02840 Get directions
"An anti-Newport Newport hotel in the best way, this hip newcomer reopened in 2024 after a fire, swapping Gilded Age clichés for coastal cool with pastel color-blocking, rattan furniture, and local art for a homey, funky vibe. The location sits just beyond easy walking distance to downtown, but abundant free parking keeps everything convenient. The scene is laid-back and skewed younger, though travelers of all ages have been flocking to its restaurant, Little Clam, since its 2025 opening. It doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not, offering serious value where many rates soar in peak summer—plus it’s one of the few dog-friendly properties in town." - Todd Plummer
"General Manager William Rademacher prioritizes flexible reservations and cultivating a community of repeat visitors over short term cancellations."
"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? Beaches, sailboats, a quaint downtown, and historic mansions—Newport, Rhode Island, is a quintessential New England town with Gilded Age pedigree. And many of its hotels are designed to match that persona, from cozy Victorian-era B&Bs to classic Shingle-style resorts. While Newport has continued growing with the times—there are several sleek boutique hotels in town now—its one untapped market is the more casual, youthful traveler. That is, until the Wayfinder opened in July 2020. With a Scandinavian-meets-midcentury-meets-coastal-cool aesthetic (think pastel color-blocking, retro light fixtures, and rattan furniture), the hotel fits in with other en vogue millennial-focused hospitality hotspots in the Northeast, like New York City’s The Rockaway Hotel and upstate New York’s Scribner’s Catskill Lodge. What's the backstory? The Wayfinder is a project by hospitality firm Dovetail + Co., founded by hotelier and developer Phil Hospod—the company’s first project was a collaboration with Urban Cowboy on the acclaimed Urban Cowboy Lodge. For the Wayfinder, Hospod tapped design agency Reunion Goods & Services to transform an old, generic hotel into a funky lifestyle spot driven by local talent, from artists to bartenders. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? There are 197 rooms that range from standard kings to two-bedroom suites, accommodating all types of travelers. Quite a few have outdoor spaces and kitchenettes, too. The rooms’ layouts might recall those of the rooms in nondescript chain hotels—remember, this is a renovated property—but their decor is anything but unremarkable. There’s wainscoting, plush textiles, and works by local artists that create homey beach-chic vibes. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? Nope, it’s free. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? The Wayfinder excels at F&B: the on-site restaurant and bar Nomi Park is run by Anna Burnley, Tyler Burnley, and Chad Hoffer of the local Mission Group, which is responsible for popular Newport restaurants Thames Street Kitchen (TSK), Mission, and Winner Winner. Nomi Park serves elevated American classics all day (don’t miss the burger!), and the kitchen also handles room service and poolside dining. For a quick grab-and-go option, the hotel has a coffee counter that sells snacks and light bites. And the service? You won’t get white-glove service here as you might at other Newport hotels, but that’s exactly the point. The staff is far more casual, but equally as helpful and kind. What type of travelers will you find here? Given the Wayfinder’s more laid-back attitude, it’s hardly surprising that its guests are fun-seeking couples, friends, and young families—many of whom have brought their four-legged pals with them (yes, the hotel is dog-friendly!). There’s also quite a bit of event space here, so don’t be surprised if you run into a wedding party during your stay. Is there anything you'd change? The location. The Wayfinder is not within walking distance of Newport’s boutiques and restaurants, so having a car is a must. On the plus side, all of Newport’s main sights are within a 15-minute drive, and there’s ample parking at the hotel. There also aren’t any views to speak of—the hotel is inland, not on the waterfront, and the rooms overlook either the parking lot or a tree-lined backstreet. The Wayfinder’s location is not a dealbreaker, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind when booking. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? With a more favorable price point and a more casual atmosphere than its neighbors, the Wayfinder is the place to stay if you’re looking for an affordable, personality-driven, and Insta-friendly hotel in Newport." - Stefanie Waldek
"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
"Located in Newport, 2.2 miles from International Tennis Hall of Fame, Wayfinder Newport provides accommodations with free bikes, free private parking, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. Featuring a terrace, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property has a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and organizing tours for guests. All rooms come with a coffee machine, while selected rooms here will provide you with a kitchenette with a fridge. All guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a safety deposit box. At Wayfinder Newport you'll find a restaurant serving American cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options can also be requested. Rosecliff Mansion is 2.6 miles from the accommodation, while The Preservation Society of Newport County is 3 miles away. T.F. Green Airport is 26 miles from the property." - My Boutique Hotel (en)