For the longest time I avoided Newport.
100% true statement, and I now realize that the impression I had was completely wrong. It had been drilled into my head that Newport was stuffy, preppy, cold, old, or exclusively rich.
Here is what I found. It was relaxed. Unpretentious. Family friendly (surprisingly). Inviting. It almost felt like a little piece of a Florida resort in New England.
Hotel Viking was my home away from home for this trip. And while their amenities were amazing, I would be remiss if I did not talk about the location making it perfect for not needing a vehicle. Check it out on Google maps, and you will realize it is in the center of everything worth doing. Walking distance to all the best restaurants on the water, as well as the trolley tours departure point. which will take you to the mansions.
Needless to say, Hotel Viking‘s roof top bar known as Top of Newport with amazing Instagram worthy sunsets, and their signature restaurant One Bellevue, exceeded expectations. It allows us to relax and focus on exploring during the day in the town.
The restaurant hopping we chose to do lead us to four spots. The Landing, Diego’s, Black Pearl and Midtown Oyster Bar.
Standouts at each are:
After a day of restaurant hopping, we headed back to the Hotel Viking first for roof top cocktails and bar snacks.
We ended the evening with a four course wine dinner. Chef Barry Correia was interviewed here as the recap has been popular for many of our Facebook fans to watch over and over.
While that would have finished an amazing trip, the breakfast outside on the patio the next morning made me realize just how beautiful the hotel is. Surrounded by blooming flowers, a waterfall and out door fire place, I enjoyed Crab Cake Benedict and just did not want to leave.
But, I shall return.
