Hotel Snapshot
Rising from the ashes of its recent devastating fire, The Wayfinder in Newport’s quieter North End has re-opened with a new restaurant and farm-to-fisherman menu. One of the few properties in the area with an outdoor pool, the communal interiors (and exterior poolside) invite all kinds of travelers from families to couples to gal groups to lounge and strike a conversation with a stranger. There’s a litany of activities to lure you away, but this buzzy revamped hotel with its charming, laid-back vibe easily tricks you into delaying your sail or surf time.
Design & Character
Guests enter the panoramic lobby and are greeted with varying seating nooks and furniture arrangements practically begging to take a seat. The hotel is always humming with activity across the lobby that flows into its ground-floor main restaurant, and primary nautical flag colors bring cheer to the soft, modern wooden furniture. The Wayfinder goes to great lengths to support Rhode Island artists and entrepreneurs by showcasing over 1,000 pieces of artwork, all of which bring a chill atmosphere, whether it’s a mural by the pool or the guest room wall art. A lobby gift shop with trendy, on-brand offerings such as Vacation sun products, Funboy pool floats, and apparel with apt designs of lobsters and Newport Pickleball make it difficult to abstain.
The Rooms
Across a few floors, the 187 guest rooms and 30 suites offer a soothing look and feel of muted sea foam and sky blue palettes, natural wood, and white linens with Matouk bed throws. Each room is accented with local artists’ hung artwork, and toiletries come from Newport’s bath product company, Shore Soap Co., in scents that evoke clean laundry, beach days, and sun-filled oceanside activities. The furniture hails from Rhode Island’s O&G Studio, and some of the nightstands appear as antique ship-wrecked storage trunks. Several rooms overlook the pool, so if you’re concerned about noise, I’d recommend calling to reserve a specific room to your liking. Believe it or not, this modern-day option still exists for booking a hotel.
Food & Drink
The Little Clam, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, despite its name, is anything but little in fare offerings and portion sizes. You’ll hear the restaurant’s buzzing atmosphere before you even step into its capacious lobby with many tables awaiting big groups to sit down and enjoy the coastal culinary menu. There’s booths for families, as well as a bar stocked with Rhody beers on tap. I’d recommend it for dining at every meal–the better to taste the various menus and (just be sure not to miss out on the under-sold pancake which left me impressed by its griddle-quality and cornbread-flour consistency and lemon zest.) For a hearty dinner, order a platter of Narragansett fresh oysters straight from the nearest bay or the shellfish tower, if you’re not shellfish shy, and then dive into a hot honey chicken sandwich. Complement any of the briny or meat-focused dishes with a Drift Theory, a mezcal-pisco craft cocktail, or an on tap Espresso Martini made with local favorite Nitro coffee topped with cinnamon.
The Amenities
One of its largest amenities that few other hotels can offer is the lively outdoor pool. Grab one of the sunny striped towels and claim a lounge chair (there’s ample amount of seating), then try Kettle-flavored popcorn from the Poolshack, and sip (or slurp down) your favorite frozen cocktails under the rays. For a more low key and restorative pool experience, consider joining in the yoga classes held just outside the surrounding calming blue hues of the pool.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
The hotel resides just a short drive from the bustling downtown scene on the North End of Newport, so you’ll want to have a car handy for exploring the general area and for making your way downtown. The best part of the area isn’t necessarily the closest–there are many other nearby communities that hold just as much of the New England appeal. Bristol exudes quaintness with its claim to the oldest continuous 4th of July celebration, but the top draw might just be the scrumptious café found at Folklore Provisions. Tiverton showcases its “Four Corners” of historic 18th century buildings that now host shops and galleries. Jamestown, located on the second biggest island in Narragansett Bay, provides a quintessential lighthouse fix with Beavertail Lighthouse and Park.
Fast Facts
Location: North End of Newport, Rhode Island
Vibe: A surfer’s hangout with convivial spaces
Rating: Four-star
Room Count: 187 guest rooms and 30 deluxe suites
Pricing: From $135 a night, and if you’re a New England resident be sure to book using the New England Neighbor Rate for extra savings and perks
Our Favorite Thing About The Hotel: Outside the hubbub of downtown’s scene
Dining: The Little Clam is helmed by an upcoming Hell’s Kitchen chef with an all-day menu, The Café in the lobby has grab-n-go bites from its lobby counter, and The Poolshack stand serves up frozen cocktails and snacks to fuel your lounging.
Amenities: An outdoor pool, a small but sufficient gym, yoga, and on-site dining, and parking with EV charging stations.
Nearby Attractions: Nearby are eight other coastal communities in the Classic Coast you can and should explore by car, but if you’re looking to stay very close and downtown, there’s the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Bowen’s Wharf, The Cliff Walk, tour Gilded Age mansions, The Newport Winery, The Sailing Museum, Newport Car Museum, Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium, or meander along the coast on Ocean Drive with stops at Fort Adams State Park and Gooseberry Beach.
Airport: Approximately 30 minutes from Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
