Forty 1 North

Forty 1 North: A Luxurious Waterfront Escape in Newport

Forty 1 North in Newport, United States, a Michelin Key Selected property, generally garners a "Wonderful" to "Superb" overall rating from guests, with strong positive sentiment highlighting its prime location, exceptional service, and sophisticated design.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Forty 1 North is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as wonderful and amazing. Review scores often hover around 9.0 to 9.2 out of 10, with high marks for comfort (9.7), location (9.6), cleanliness (9.3), and staff (9.2). The hotel is praised for its ability to combine cool, casual luxury with the vibrant downtown waterfront setting.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise the following aspects of Forty 1 North:

• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently lauded as friendly, accommodating, professional, personalized, and attentive. Many guests appreciate being welcomed by name, indicating a high level of personalized hospitality.
• Location: Situated directly on the waters of Newport Harbor and in Downtown Newport, the hotel offers a peaceful marina setting with easy walking access to Thames Street, Bowen's Wharf, shops, bars, and restaurants. Water views are a significant draw for many.
• Design & Ambiance: The property boasts a modern and elegant interpretation of classic New England beach cottages, infused with a crisp nautical atmosphere and an artistic take on eco-hospitality. Floor-to-ceiling windows and large balconies contribute to an open and airy design.
• Amenities: Guests appreciate free bicycle rentals, in-room wired internet, and access to two on-site restaurants. The hotel is also LEED-certified, emphasizing its eco-conscious practices.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Forty 1 North are described as contemporary, spacious, clean, and comfortable. They are individually furnished and feature fireplaces (often gas fireplaces), premium bedding, Frette Italian sheets, and Tempur-Pedic beds for a luxurious sleep experience. Other in-room amenities include 40-inch HDTVs with premium channels, media systems, iPads with free newspapers, laptop-compatible safes, air conditioning, wet bars, and plush bathrobes and slippers. Some accommodations also offer separate sitting areas, refrigerators, and spa showers, while loft apartments and cottages can include fully equipped kitchens, dining rooms, and dens, providing ample space for groups or families. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural sunlight and sea breezes to enter, contributing to a naturally cooled environment.

4. Dining Experience

Forty 1 North features two on-site restaurants, offering culinary variety.

• The Grill: Located dockside, The Grill provides an upscale dining and entertainment experience with a menu of grilled seafood, grilled meats, and a raw bar in an open-air lounge setting.
• Christie's: This restaurant offers a more casual environment with New England fare, a large communal table, and an extensive cocktail list, sometimes described as a hip, quirky alternative with Asian tapas. Cooked-to-order breakfast is available, though often for a surcharge, and has been noted as well-prepared and nicely presented. Guests have generally found the food to be excellent.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Forty 1 North is a standout feature, frequently highlighted by guests. The staff is consistently described as very friendly, professional, accommodating, and attentive. Many guests have reported personalized experiences, such as being welcomed by name and receiving special arrangements for celebrations like birthdays. The management is commended for excellent training.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is a significant asset, earning a high rating of 9.6 for location. It is situated on the waterfront in Downtown Newport, offering direct marina access and proximity to key attractions.

• Nearby Attractions: Thames Street, Bowen's Wharf, and their array of shops, bars, and restaurants are just steps or a short walk away. The Newport Mansions are a 5-minute drive, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a 10-minute walk. Cliff Walk and Easton's Beach are also within easy reach.
• Transport: The hotel offers free bicycle rentals and local hotel car transport as part of a resort fee. Valet parking is available for a surcharge.

7. Value & Pricing

Forty 1 North is positioned as a luxury boutique hotel, and its pricing reflects this. Rates can start around $500 and go up into the thousands per night. While guests appreciate the luxurious experience, some perceive the rates as high, especially considering a few missing on-site amenities. The value for money score is typically around 7.9 out of 10.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Lack of On-Site Fitness Center and Spa: Despite being a luxury property, the hotel does not have a fitness center or a full-service spa on-site. Guests are offered free passes to a gym in Middletown, and spa treatments can be arranged in-room.
• Noise: Some guests have reported that loft rooms above Christie's restaurant can be noisy on weekends, and music outside can also cause some disturbance at night.
• Valet Parking Cost: Valet parking is available but comes with a surcharge.
• Understaffing/Management Issues (Employee Reviews): While guest reviews generally praise staff, some employee reviews indicate issues with understaffing, lack of organization, and poor management support. However, these are internal perspectives and do not frequently surface in guest satisfaction.
• "Water View" Discrepancies: A few guests have noted that rooms billed as "water view" did not entirely meet their expectations.

Sources

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