The Vanderbilt
In the beautiful town of Newport, Rhode Island, you will find The Vanderbilt, a former mansion renovated into a luxury hotel. This 33-room hotel transports you with its timeless elegance that feels welcoming and not the least bit pretentious.
THE PROPERTY
As soon as you walk into this hotel, you feel its luxury. The design choices are exceptional, and every piece fits beautifully together. The grand staircase is the first to greet you, and to your left is a small reception area with welcoming staff. The property is a small boutique hotel with only 33 rooms, which really adds to its charm. It seems they kept many of the mansion's qualities, which makes the property feel more like a grand home than a hotel, creating a warm ambiance. On the main level, you will find a parlour, a grand sitting room, two restaurants, and a game room. Downstairs, they have a spa, pool, and fitness center. Outside, they offer a terrace and a heated pool. We visited in winter, so they were not open at the time, but it looks like it would be a lovely area to relax and swim in the summer months.
THE ROOM
We stayed in a double room, which I thought would just be a room with two beds, but it actually blew me away. The room exuded a moody yet calming energy with an eclectic decor. It was a large suite with a living room, dining area, bar and desk area, and a separate room with two beds, and, towards the back, a small bathroom. The wallpaper that matched the bed frame was such a whimsical touch that I truly adored (hello, design inspo). The couch in the living room was also a pull-out couch, making it perfect for families with more than 2 children. My girls absolutely loved having so much space to run around, and the hotel even set up a little play tent, which they enjoyed lounging in. To me, a hotel room really makes your stay. It determines your comfort level from which you will judge the entire hotel, and this room was such a wonderful space that it really added to our stay.
THE FOOD
Let me tell you something, it’s very rare that a hotel in the States makes me forget I’m in the States, and the Vanderbilt did just that. They pull many dishes from the UK (even the ambiance screams British luxury), and the food tastes so European (iykyk) that I forgot that I was not in London. (If you don’t know, we are moving to London and we spend a great deal of time there, so for me to be fooled means it’s really good.) All the food was fresh, flavorful, and well prepared. Their restaurant, The Dining Room, also plays to the moody ambiance with a crackling fireplace, and the room is designed with dark woods and warm colors. I loved that they offered fresh seafood; being steps away from the ocean comes with this perk. And the drinks were exceptional. I ordered the Paper Tiger, and it was amazing. The sticky toffee pudding (another British dish) was a dream. I had to stop myself from ordering another.
There is also in-room dining, which we used to order breakfast, and it was equally enjoyable and delicious. Hands down, some of the freshest food I’ve ever had at a hotel in the States.
AFTERNOON TEA
Well, in keeping with our friends over the pond, The Vanderbilt offers an afternoon tea brunch in The Conservatory. This is the brightest room in the hotel, with floor-to-ceiling windows that border the outdoor terrace. It’s a very beautiful and quaint space. They offer a Sailor's Tea Brunch on the weekend, where you can order brunch with tea/drinks, or you can order a tower. Since afternoon tea is the girls' absolute favorite, we of course had to order the tower. It’s not as extensive as afternoon tea in the UK, but everything was truly delicious, the girls loved their treats, and I loved how they added a New England twist by serving lobster rolls. My husband ordered shrimp and grits, which he said were quite delicious. They have a nice menu of teas, but we had to order their special tea called Color of the Year. It’s a blue herbal tea, but when you add lemon, it turns purple. Needless to say, this was a hit with the kids, and the tea was actually very aromatic and flavorful. I love it so much, I ordered it during breakfast the next morning.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Because it was winter, we didn’t explore the neighborhood, but as a New England girl, I'm familiar with Newport, RI, and this neighborhood is so cute and quaint. It’s steps away from the ocean, and the nearby streets are lined with local restaurants, pubs, and shops, making it very walkable. It’s the perfect area to stroll around in the warmer months. Also, the Newport mansions are not too far and are a great place to visit during your stay. The hotel also offers many experiences, such as a tour in a classic car. I would reach out to see all the experiences they offer to truly make your trip special.
Newport is truly a beautiful part of New England and Rhode Island, and The Vanderbilt is an ideal hotel for your visit. You will not be disappointed with the food, service, and ambiance, and you will leave with a lovely experience to remember. I highly recommend this little gem in Newport, and to visit in the warmer months to be able to utilize all that The Vanderbilt has to offer. Be sure to book ahead as this hotel can sell out quickly. xx
See pricing and availability for The Vanderbilt, HERE
