This is a property steeped in the past, having served as a private girls’ school, quarters for naval officers, and the accommodations of the cast and crew of the 1974 film production of The Great Gatsby. In 2000, the perfectly-located property was purchased by the Shufelt family, who oversaw a meticulous renovation that honored the home’s exemplary Victorian craftsmanship, and it is run today by Lani Shufelt.
Check into a room located within the estate; rooms come with old-timey keys and tassel fobs, and inside, the decor is an eclectic mish-mash that gives the impression you’re visiting the home of a well-traveled proprietor with a knack for antiques. Rooms like the Moroccan, Greek Revival, and English Tudor are each outfitted in honor of their name. Despite the varying historical and geographic points of inspiration, the hotel atmosphere comes together as a cohesive whole; its layers reflecting the building’s rich history and the Victorian flair for eclectic collecting habits.
For guests looking for a bit more privacy, there are garden and ocean villas offered beyond the historic house. On the dining font, there are three options, all stand-outs: The more casual Living Room. The Café, and Cara the fine dining experience with a view from executive chef Jacob Jasinski.
Amenities: Restaurants, off-site gym, free parking
Address: 41 Mary Street, Newport, RI, 02840 USA
Where to Eat
Photo: Courtesy of Nick Mele
The buzziest restaurant in Newport can be found on the top floor of Gardiner House—and its name is Flora. Not because there are botanical touches across the decor, but after Flora Payne Whitney, whose portrait hangs above the bar, allowing her the best seat in the house to survey the scene. The portrait was painted by Howard Gardiner (whose grandson co-owns the hotel, see above) and features the young girl lounging in the Gardiner family home. In terms of food, the menu from Chef Somoza is inspired by Mediterranean seaside towns from Saint Tropez to Capri to Marbella, with a standout being the paella. Seats inside and out offer views of Newport Harbor.
Indulge in the panoramic views and the expansive raw bar at Castle Hill’s famous summer spot, The Lawn. Outfitted in charming white Adirondack chairs, The Lawn overlooks neighboring beach towns and sits at the Atlantic entrance of Newport’s bustling harbor. Order a dozen oysters with a bottle of bubbly and watch the sailboats and mega-yachts pass by all afternoon. And should you feel inspired to stay a little longer than lunch, it’s also a hotel—check in and stay all weekend.
On the wharf, you’ll find The Black Pearl, a Newport culinary institution that delivers casual dining on their outdoor patio (burgers and clams) and inside, drinks at their cozy Tavern bar. Come dinnertime, the Commodore dining room serves up catches of the day on white tablecloths—order the classic Black Pearl Clam Chowder!
A quick drive past Middletown will lead you to Newport Vineyards, where an afternoon can be easily whiled away among the vines and over 100 acres of preserved farmland. Enjoy wines, fresh craft beer, and farm-to-table dining experiences at the scenic spot—which is absolutely kid-friendly.
Vegans, vegetarians, and anyone else who can’t abide seafood should already be familiar with Root. Make a quick stop for freshly pressed juice, or settle into its cozy, low-key quarters for a hearty salad or grain bowl. Sweetgreen, eat your heart out.
There’s nothing better than local-caught sushi at the Clarke Cooke House on a summer Friday. The seasonal sushi bar hosts a few heavily sought-after seats that have a straight-shot view of the incredible sunset over Bannister’s Wharf. If you can snag one, order the Rainbow and Lobster roll but save room for their famous “Snowball in Hell” for dessert—you won’t regret it!
Born out of a basement in Providence, this coffee shop with a cult following offers locals and tourists a wide-ranging menu of barista favorites. Now boasting two locations in Newport, The Nitro Bar is the perfect spot for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Take a step back from lobster rolls and fried clams and enjoy an exceptionally sophisticated menu focused on using the same local ingredients in a new way. Pro-tip: opt for a reservation at the chef’s counter for a front-row seat to watch the masters at work.
New this summer, Mother Pizzeria is a neighborhood joint by local restauranteurs Kevin O’Donnell, Lauren Schaefer, and Kyle Stamp. The trio brings Italian-centric cocktails, a wide selection of cured meats, and, most notably, Neapolitan pizza to Newport. Don’t forget to save room for dessert – the olive oil gelato is a must-try! –
Regarding nightlife, there’s really only one place to go in Newport, or rather two. Come nightfall, the town’s go-to restaurant, Clarke Cooke House, welcomes the late-night crowd to their top floor, aka Sky Bar, and downstairs, aka the Boom Boom Room. Social butterflies will float between the two of them all night, which, speaking from experience, will likely end with a midnight dip in the ocean.
Shop
The wares on offer at the Newport Lampshade CompanyPhoto: Courtesy of the Newport Lampshade Company
Christopher Spitzmiller lamps, antique Chinese pottery, and more giftable knickknacks fill this jewel box store. If you’re in town as a lucky house guest, get your hostess present here!
It’s a literary treasure chest with enough charm to put Kindles to shame. Spring Street Bookstore offers new and used titles inside its quaint shop. Whatever you want to read this September—a rare volume of poetry or this year’s bestseller— you will surely find it here.
Shopping at the Wharfs
Beyond the restaurants and raw bars, Bannister and Bowen’s wharves have some of the best boutiques and art galleries in all of Newport. Check out Monelle’s for chic yachting-themed accessories and the perfect cashmere sweater to stay warm on chillier nights. If you’re looking for more of a French Rivera meets Saint Barth’s vibe, pop into Mandarine Boutique for a new beach suit or bohemian evening look. For men’s and women’s outerwear, Royal Male pulls from the best local and European designers. At the top of Bannister’s wharf, Sheldon’s Fine Art Gallery always catches the eye with gorgeous oil pieces, and the nautical photographs at the award-winning Onne Valderwal Gallery feel very Newport.
Further down from the busier shops on Thames Street, Bodhi Spa might be Newport’s best-kept secret summer escape. Get The Water Journey, a multi-step hydrotherapy treatment that comes with a plunge pool eucalyptus steam room that rejuvenates sun-kissed skin and helps preserve your tan. The spa also offers hot stone massages and custom facials to keep your muscles and pores happy too.
What to See
The historic Rosecliff Mansion.Photo: Getty Images
Thanks to the Preservation Society of Newport, Rhode Island, those Gilded Age-era estates famous for their grandeur have been preserved. Think of Bellevue as 5th Avenue, but instead of Gucci and Louis Vuitton, you have Marble House (the embarrassment of riches built by Alva and William Kissam Vanderbilt), Rosecliff (the house where the original Great Gatsby was filmed) and The Breakers, The Elms, and Rough Point, the house and gardens of Doris Duke. If you do one thing in Newport, it’s to visit all these.
I love a good house museum—The Frick, the Morgan Library, Madrid’s Museum of Romanticism, London’s Leighton House Museum —and the Whitehorne (at 414 Thames Street) is an extremely charming one. The focus of its collection is 18th-century furniture made in Newport, and to creep down its halls is to be thoroughly transported to this nation’s earliest days. Yes, Newport has much grander and flashier houses than this one, but none place such compelling emphasis on local craftsmanship.
After making a reservation online to enjoy one of many experiences, like a sunset cruise on the 80-foot pilot schooner the Adirondack II, head down to the Booth at Bowen’s Wharf, where you’ll board for your cruise. Newport can’t be fully experienced until you’ve done it by water.
Bibliophiles, get ready to geek out: The Rosewood Library in Newport is half library, half museum, and with a founding date of 1747, it’s the oldest lending center in the United States. The Peter Harrison-designed building holds a treasure trove of rare books and artifacts, including letters from Edith Wharton and a “how-to” guide by England’s most beloved gardener, Lancelot “Capability” Brown.
Newport is known as the sailing capital of the world, but the city is also deeply rooted in another go-to summer activity, tennis. Pop into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Bellevue Avenue for a tour of the famous grounds or, if you’re up for it, book a grassy court with friends for a doubles match. Remember to pack your whites or stop into The Shop to pick up a new look to take on the turf.
“Elizabeth” is the name of a classic 1961 Rolls Royce: a Newport native that spent years in a private garage but is not available for booking (driver included!) to scenic tours or Newport or picnic lunches. Once you’ve cruised Ocean Drive in Elizabeth, it’s hard to do it any other way.
