Gurney's Newport Resort & Marina
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Hotel Details
Location
Gurney's Newport Resort & Marina · Newport, United States
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Key Highlights
- ✓Design: Following renovations, the property features a beautiful ballroom and lobby. Rooms are designed in soothing blues and grays, offering a visually restrained yet luxurious aesthetic.
Expert Review: Gurney's Newport Resort & Marina
Gurney's Newport Resort & Marina, now known as Newport Harbor Island Resort since late 2022, offers a luxurious waterfront experience on Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island. The resort consistently garners positive reviews for its stunning views, amenities, and service, positioning itself as a premier destination in the area.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Newport Harbor Island Resort (formerly Gurney's Newport Resort & Marina) is highly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a "real gem" and "epitome of luxury." It receives rave reviews for its stunning views, luxurious accommodations, and top-notch service. Hotels.com shows an "Exceptional" rating of 9.0 for cleanliness, and "Good" ratings of 8.6 for both amenities and staff & service, with a significant majority of reviews being excellent. Tripexpert gives it a score of 7/10. While the user prompt indicated it is a Michelin Key Selected property, available information for the 2024 and 2025 Michelin Key awards in Newport lists other hotels, but does not explicitly include Newport Harbor Island Resort.
2. Key Highlights
Guests frequently praise several aspects of the resort:
- Location: The resort boasts stunning 360-degree water views from its unique position on Goat Island in Narragansett Bay. It offers a secluded atmosphere while remaining just minutes from downtown Newport, providing ideal access to local attractions, shops, and restaurants.
- Amenities: Newport Harbor Island Resort is well-equipped with amenities, including a full-service Seawater Spa, the area's only outdoor saltwater pool, an indoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. The resort features an onsite marina with services for boaters. Guests also enjoy fire pits, swinging benches, hammocks, and a variety of scheduled activities such as yoga classes, crafting sessions, wine tastings, and movie nights.
- Design: Following renovations, the property features a beautiful ballroom and lobby. Rooms are designed in soothing blues and grays, offering a visually restrained yet luxurious aesthetic.
- Service: The staff is consistently highlighted for being friendly, helpful, attentive, and efficient, often going the extra mile for guests.
3. Room Quality
The resort offers 257 guestrooms and suites, many of which have been renovated and are nicely furnished. Rooms typically feature king beds with plush pillows, soft sheets, and down blankets, along with large bathrooms equipped with granite countertops and jet-stream tubs. Many rooms provide oversized desks, and all boast water views, with some premium rooms offering harbor vistas from private balconies. Suites include spacious living rooms, and some rooms may even have fireplaces. However, some guests have noted that rooms can be on the smaller side, and there have been mentions of inconsistencies in room quality or amenities, with some furnishings potentially appearing outdated. Poor sound insulation leading to noise from adjoining rooms has also been a concern for some.
4. Dining Experience
Newport Harbor Island Resort provides a diverse culinary experience with multiple on-site restaurants and lounges. Scarpetta, an Italian-inspired fine dining establishment, is often cited as a main attraction, known for its amazing dining experience, fresh seafood, and impressive views. The Regent Lounge is a popular spot for cocktails and nightcaps, especially around its firepits. For morning coffee and light fare, Corso (also referred to as For Five Coffee) offers an Italian-style coffee bar with grab-and-go options and breakfast pastries. During summer months, The Pineapple Club offers poolside dining with casual fare. Newer dining options include 1639, offering an elevated experience with seasonal, locally-sourced dishes and waterfront views, and the Torpedo Bar & Lounge. Made-to-order breakfast is also available.
5. Service & Staff
The staff at Newport Harbor Island Resort generally receives high praise for their friendliness, attentiveness, and helpfulness. Guests often commend the warm welcome and willingness of staff to go the extra mile, from the front desk to housekeeping. Reservation staff are noted for providing helpful suggestions, and the check-in process is often described as quick and smooth, with staff accommodating requests like room upgrades. However, some guests have reported mixed experiences with front desk service, citing instances of unhelpfulness or disorganization. Employee reviews also indicate some internal challenges regarding management communication, "cliquey" staff, and overworking, which could potentially impact service consistency.
6. Location & Accessibility
Situated on Goat Island, the resort offers a somewhat secluded ambiance while being highly accessible to downtown Newport. Guests can easily walk to the city's shops, restaurants, and attractions, typically within 10-15 minutes. The resort facilitates exploration with a complimentary shuttle service to downtown Newport (including Bowen's Wharf) available year-round, as well as free bicycles and a seasonal water taxi operating from May to September. Its location is also convenient for visiting historical mansions, museums, vineyards, beaches, golf courses, and the Newport Cliff Walk.
7. Value & Pricing
Newport is recognized as an expensive destination, and some guests have expressed that the prices at Newport Harbor Island Resort do not always align with the perceived value. However, one guest noted excellent value for an October stay. Prices for a one-night stay for two adults can start from approximately $116.57, though these rates are subject to change and vary significantly by season. The resort does offer various packages, including discounts for New England residents ("Newport Neighbors") and pet-friendly options ("VIP Pet Package").
8. Common Complaints
Recurring criticisms from guests include:
- Pricing: The cost of a stay is frequently mentioned as a concern, with some guests feeling it is not always justified by the value received.
- Noise: Noise from neighboring rooms or outside traffic has been reported as an issue due to less-than-ideal sound insulation.
- Room Inconsistencies: Some guests have noted inconsistencies in room quality or amenities, mentioning outdated furnishings or a lack of advertised features in certain rooms.
- Room Size: A few reviews indicate that some rooms can be small.
- Parking Fees: Both valet and self-parking options are available but are consistently noted as being expensive, adding to the overall cost.
- Front Desk Service: While overall staff service is praised, the front desk has received mixed feedback, with some guests encountering unhelpfulness or disorganization.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Recurring criticisms from guests include:
- •Pricing: The cost of a stay is frequently mentioned as a concern, with some guests feeling it is not always justified by the value received.
- •Noise: Noise from neighboring rooms or outside traffic has been reported as an issue due to less-than-ideal sound insulation.
Google Reviews
1,234 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Alicia Manta
We loved our weekend at this hotel. We had a wonderful experience. The office manager, Victor, was extremely pleasant and helpful. The views were spectacular, even on a brisk fall day. The food and drinks were delicious. All of the staff was willing to help, with a smile on their faces. My kids loved the indoor pool and my husband enjoyed his massage at the spa. Our post Thanksgiving trip was ...
Stella Alshanskaya
We have been loyal guests at your Montauk location for several years, so we were pleasantly surprised to find the same level of excellence at your Newport location. The check-in process was seamless, the staff were friendly and attentive, the location was stunning, and the grounds were well-maintained with plenty of spaces to relax without feeling overcrowded during peak season. The pool water tem...
Michael L
Wish I could rate it higher but it is what it is. Super pricey spot that is just kind of old. Dated, cramped rooms that are in need of a much needed makeover. My room was super dark, even with the shades drawn wide open. My TV was broken along with the phone. A/C was ice cold which was nice. The outdoor pool was spectacular and obviously the main draw to staying here. There are plenty of nicer pla...
Dianne Camella
No hair dryer , phone in room didn't work, wall plug didn't charge my phone and watch overnight, no coffee in the room. I am generally a Marriott enthusiast, however, this was very disappointing! The woman in the pastry shop and the view were the only positives here
Richard Damico
We ate outside overlooking the bay and bridge, it was beautiful. Food was ok. It took for ever for it to arrive. Service workers are slow and not attentive to details. Leaving drink glasses and dirty dishes etc. many better places in town with beautiful views
Jim J
We did not stay at the resort due to the room prices being so high. We went here for dinner and visited the spa the next day. The sights are incredible. Gorgeous sweeping views of the waterfront and very romantic at sunset. Food was decent but not great for how pricey it is. We had the worst food service of anywhere we visited in Newport though. It was a slow Monday night. Our server visited once ...
