Darija Stojanovic 
Looking for where to stay in Rhode Island (RI)? I’ve got you covered! This guide will tell you all about the best places to lay your head in Little Rhody (the smallest state in the nation!).
I researched all the best hotels across Rhode Island’s best vacation spots and sorted them nicely by budget, but that’s not all!
I also prepared plenty of useful content for you (think getting around, tips, things to do, and more), so practically, you’re getting a full guide on everything you need to know before visiting Rhode Island!
A quick tip right before we start: book your hotels in Rhode Island in advance, as the good ones always get sold out first! A lot of the places have free cancellation, so worry not if you change your plans!
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Check out this quick list of Rhode Island’s best hotels sorted by budget:
Overview of where to stay in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is small – it takes around 40 minutes to drive East to West and some 45 minutes from Northeast to Southwest. With stops, it’ll take you no more than 3 hours to reach any point in Little Rhody.
Still, choosing where to stay makes a big difference. If you’d rather be close to the best beaches, Narragansett Town is the place to be (map). For ocean vistas and sailing, pick a villa of your choice in Newport (map). And for rich history, culture, and cuisine, lay your head in the capital, Providence (map).
Other best vacation spots in Rhode Island include the glamorous Watch Hill (map), Westerly (map) with its charming downtown, the boat-building capital Bristol (map), and of course, Block Island (map) with its dramatic cliffs!
Now check out this handy map to see where the top hotels in Rhode Island are located:
Best hotels in Rhode Island
Now, let’s get to the juicy part! I sorted the best places to stay in Rhode Island according to budget, so you can hop straight on to the hotel selection that’ll match your wallet!
Luxury hotels in Rhode Island (US$400 and up)
Differently from other price range categories where I varied the options in multiple cities, most luxury hotels (think Gilded Age mansions that Rhode Island is known for) are located in Newport.
Сastle Hill Inn Newport
This dreamy Newport property has a waterfront location and an exceptional on-site restaurant with wine pairing, ideal for romantic dinners or milestone birthday celebrations. Their suites are spacious, and you can get out of yours and step right on the beach!
The Chanler at Cliff Walk Newport
A stunning Victorian-style hotel featuring old-world elegance with absolutely charming rooms! This hotel overlooks the famous Cliff Walk and the ocean. It is an ideal place for those who want to recharge their batteries on their Rhode Island vacation. I’d say this is one of the best beachfront hotels in Rhode Island!
The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection Newport
A lovely property with luxury décor, beautiful rooms, and an outdoor pool ideal for couples and families. Enjoy their spa and wellness facilities, dine in the multiple on-site restaurants, or take a bike tour to explore the surroundings!
Gardinier House Newport
A school example of elegance and style, this home has lavish decorations, 2 in-house restaurants, and magazine-like family rooms! Judging by past visitors’ experiences, you’ll love the attention to detail, clean rooms, and friendly staff!
Mid-range hotels in Rhode Island (US$200 – US$350)
These are the best mid-range hotels up for grabs in Rhode Island:
Mill Street Inn Newport
Located just steps from the beach, Mill Street Inn is a brand new, beautifully furnished place to stay in Newport. They have a fitness center on-site and plenty of artwork across the property, so unique! Past guests also praise the friendly staff!
Omni Providence Providence
The 4-star Omni hotel in the heart of Downtown Providence comes with spacious rooms, friendly staff, and 4 on-site restaurants! The hotel is connected to the RI Convention Center and has its own business center on-site, making it ideal if you’re in town for work!
Avonlea Block Island
Enjoy your vacation in style at this top-rated property on Block Island! The home overlooks the beach, serves various breakfast options, and has free parking! The main highlight is the location since it’s close to town and the ocean!
The Hotel Maria Westerly
A brand new hotel in Westerly just steps from the Misquamicut State Beach! They offer more than a dozen room types to fit all types and numbers of travelers and serve a great breakfast! Most tourists loved the amazing staff!
Budget hotels in Rhode Island (up to US$200)
Now let’s check out the best budget places to stay in Rhode Island:
Artful Lodger Newport
Sitting just by the Newport harbor, this lodge has cozy rooms, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Note that the rooms are fitted for couples, and children are not allowed. If you’re staying with kids in Newport, consider Bellevue House as an alternative.
Christopher Dodge House Providence
Enjoy one of the best and top-rated Providence hotels with so much history! This mansion dates back to 1858, offers complimentary breakfast, and also comes with free parking. Guests praise the charm of the building and the fact that they have free coffee and water 24/7.
Old Town Inn Block Island
A lovely inn with family rooms featuring private bathrooms, a tennis court on-site, and free parking. The inn serves delicious daily breakfast and gives off a cute, romantic cottage vibe.
Hyatt Place Warwick
A 3-star hotel and a perfect option if you want to stay close to the airport in Rhode Island. They have family rooms, an indoor pool, an in-house bar, and free parking. You also get free breakfast and free cancellation!
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Tips for visiting Rhode Island
Here are some insider tips I gathered from the locals to help you plan your stay in Rhode Island!
- If you’re going for a full tour of the state, try to allocate a full week so you don’t have to rush between places.
- Moving around the state is easy due to its small size. Rent a car if you plan to explore multiple attractions, but read more on getting around in the next section.
- Despite the main airport being located in Warwick, there’s not much to do in this area for tourists, so only consider staying here on your last night if you have an early flight. Rather focus on towns like Newport, Providence, Narragansett, and Bristol.
- Avoid driving in East Providence and the Washington Bridge (map), there have been major issues with traffic, it’s guaranteed to give you a headache.
Getting around Rhode Island
Getting around Rhode Island is easy! Driving, ferries, bike rentals, and public transport are the most popular options.
Car rental
Car rental is a great option for moving around Rhode Island. Driving is easy, but parking can be a hassle. You need an overnight town parking permit, especially for parking on the beach. Also, expect huge traffic from 7 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM, as these are the peak hours.
TIP: Get a Season Pass for access to all 8 beach parking lots in RI.
If you don’t drive, you can also use an Uber, it costs a minimum of $1 per mile.
Public transport
Rhode Island has a wide bus network, RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transport Authority), that connects major cities but also runs inside cities. It’s safe but not always on time. The price is $2 per ride and $6 for a one-day pass for unlimited rides.
TIP: Have an exact sum in $1 bills on you as the machine doesn’t give back change. Or use the RIPTA Wave app to pay for your ride. Transit app is useful to see when the bus is coming.
Fast ferry
You can take fast ferries to visit Block Island or go on lighthouse cruises around Rhode Island.
The fast ferry service is called Rhode Island Fast Ferry, they have multiple daily departures, and the rates are around $28 for one-way and $56 for return tickets to Block Island. Bike transfer is $8 one-way, and e-bike transfer is $16 (or you can also rent a bike on the island).
All fast ferry departures are from Point Judith ferry terminal in Narragansett (map).
NOTE: You can also take a ferry from Point Judith to Martha’s Vineyard (a return ticket is around $100, one-way is half the price).
Bicycle rental
Rhode Island is extremely bike-friendly, and renting a bicycle is a great way to explore the state! You can choose from different bike types for different terrains for as little as $10 per hour or $50 for the whole day.
These are the most reliable bike rental shops in popular bikeable locations:
- Providence: Dash Bicycle Shop (map)
- Newport: Ten Speed Spokes (map)
- Block Island: Beach Rose Bicycles (map)
TIP: Ask your bike rental shop for a map of recommendations for bike-friendly routes.
Things to do in Rhode Island
Up next in our guide on Rhode Island is the list of 5 must-do things (if you ask me)!
1. Visit the Gilded Age mansions
The lavish homes Rhode Island (and notably Newport) is known for were built between 1870 and the early 20th century. They were built by the nation’s wealthy residents who were part of the booming railroad, banking, and shipping industries. Nothing screams extravagance more than these mansions that you can now visit or even sleep in!
Check the luxury hotels section above for the best options to stay in or book a sightseeing tour that includes mansion visits!
2. Go on a trolley tour in Newport
Trolleys are a great way to explore Newport! A trolley tour ride takes you across the town’s most popular spots, including the downtown area, the Waterfront, the iconic Bellevue Avenue Mansion area, and the 10-mile Ocean Drive. If you only have a day in Newport, don’t think twice – book the tour!
3. Walk along the Cliff Walk
Cliff Walk (map) is the highlight of Newport. It’s a walking trail overlooking the ocean that takes around 2 hours to complete from start to finish. It offers the views of the water on one side and the lavish mansions on the other!
4. Go sailing
Sailing from Newport to Narragansett Bay is a great way to spend your time in Rhode Island! It comes with fabulous views of the coast, mansions, bridges, lighthouses, and more. Most sailing tours last around 2-3 hours and are definitely worth it!
5. Swim at Narragansett Beach
The sandy Narragansett Beach (map) is the perfect place to unwind or try some water sports. Parking is easy, food is abundant, and so are restrooms. Do note that there is a fee of $12 per person to enter the beach.
Where to eat in Rhode Island
Finally, these are the best restaurants in Rhode Island’s main tourist hotspots that I carefully hand-picked for you:
- Newport: Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant ($$) – Everything from the food portions, atmosphere, staff, and drinks is amazing here! Try their signature lobster roll and thank me later!
- Narragansett: Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House ($$) – The state’s signature restaurant in Rhode Island overlooking Narragansett Bay. Try their clam cakes and clam chowder; they are local favorites!
- Providence: Cassarino’s Restaurant ($$) – The best Italian restaurant in Federal Hill, the foodie area of Providence! Try their bone-in veal chop; it’s mouth-watering!
- Block Island: The Oar ($$) – A must-visit in Block Island for casual seafood, stakes, and sushi, an ideal place to grab dinner after exploring the area.
| 👑 Luxury price: | US$300 |
| 💵 Mid-range: | US$200 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | US$100 |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Сastle Hill Inn |
| 🧳 Best mid-range hotel: | Omni Providence |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Christopher Dodge House |
FAQs about where to stay in Rhode Island
👑 What are some popular places to stay in and around Rhode Island?
The best places to stay in Rhode Island are the luxury Сastle Hill Inn, mid-range Omni Providence, and budget-friendly Artful Lodger.
👀 What are the best things to do in Rhode Island?
Visit Downtown Newport, bike around Block Island, swim in the sea in Narragansett Beach, and stroll down the Cliff Walk to admire all the mansions of Newport.
👩❤👨 What hotels in Rhode Island are good for couples?
Сastle Hill Inn has the most romantic setting, a posh restaurant with wine pairing, and amazing rooms, making it ideal for couples!
🏖️ What are the best places to stay in Rhode Island on the beach?
The best beachfront hotels in Rhode Island are the luxury Chanler at Cliff Walk, the only hotel located on Newport’s famed Cliff Walk, and the Ocean House, located in the quiet town of Watch Hill on a stunning white-sand beach.
👍 Is Rhode Island good for tourists?
Yes, Rhode Island has plenty to offer to visitors: beautiful coastal vistas, unique cuisine, charming mansions, and a rich history.
❓ How many days do you need in Rhode Island?
5-7 days is enough to explore all of Rhode Island’s points of interest.
📅 What is the best month to visit Rhode Island?
Summer months (June, July, and August) are best for visiting Rhode Island, especially if you want to spend some time at the beach!
🚶 Is Rhode Island a walkable city?
Rhode Island’s cities are very walkable. In fact, Providence was ranked 2nd most walkable city in the nation!
🚗 Do you need a car to get around Rhode Island?
Ideally, yes. Rent a car or drive to Rhode Island so you don’t have to depend on bus schedules for inter-city travel. On the other hand, Uber and walking will get you anywhere once you’re inside towns.
Final thoughts on where to stay in Rhode Island
This Rhode Island visitor guide has come to an end! My goal was to give you all the practical and up-to-date information you’ll need for your Rhode Island vacation, and hopefully I succeeded in it!
If you’re still indecisive about where to stay though, my warm recommendation goes to Newport and its amazing mansions:
- The Chanler at Cliff Walk – the only hotel located on the Cliff Walk, a must if you can afford it!
- Mill Street Inn – a great alternative if the mansions are too expensive for you
Regardless of where you stay in Newport and the rest of Rhode Island, please book your accommodation in advance to secure a good spot!
I hope you enjoyed reading my post as much as I did writing it for you. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions!
Enjoy Rhode Island,
Darija
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