Best Hotels on Thames Street in Newport, RI

DOWNTOWN NEWPORT HOTEL GUIDE

Hotels on Thames Street in Newport, RI put travelers in the heart of the city’s lively waterfront district, close to restaurants, shops, galleries, historic wharves and harbor activities. Staying directly on Thames Street makes much of downtown Newport walkable, but the experience changes from the busy central blocks to the quieter southern end.

Important 2026 closure: Club Wyndham Inn on the Harbor, at 359 Thames Street, says infrastructure and water-line work has extended its closure through October 2026, canceling arrivals beginning July 1. Verify reopening directly before making plans.

Best Hotels on Thames Street in Newport, RI: Quick Comparison

Hotel	Address	Best for	Style
Forty 1° North	351 Thames Street	Luxury and waterfront atmosphere	Contemporary boutique hotel
Newport Bay Club & Hotel	337 Thames Street	Extra space and central location	All-suite hotel
Francis Malbone House	392 Thames Street	Romance and historic character	Luxury historic inn
Admiral Fitzroy Inn	398 Thames Street	Classic inn stay with parking	Historic B&B
Bouchard Inn	505 Thames Street	Dining and southern Thames access	Small boutique inn
The Firehouse Inn	595 Thames Street	Groups and residential-style space	Small luxury inn

Best Hotels Directly on Thames Street in Newport

Newport Harbor marina near Thames Street in Newport RI

1. Forty 1° North — best luxury waterfront stay

Forty 1° North occupies a prime downtown waterfront setting at 351 Thames Street. The hotel combines contemporary design with a marina, restaurants and a range of rooms, suites, cottages and lofts. Its official site describes it as Rhode Island’s first LEED-certified hotel.

Choose it for: harbor atmosphere, modern design, on-site dining and a special-occasion stay in the center of the action.

Know before booking: downtown waterfront rates can be high in summer, and some accommodations are arranged differently from standard hotel rooms. Compare the exact room type, view, parking terms and cancellation policy.

2. Newport Bay Club & Hotel — best for suite space

At 337 Thames Street, Newport Bay Club & Hotel sits between the harbor and the street’s restaurants, boutiques and galleries. The property emphasizes spacious suite-style accommodations and a central location that makes much of downtown reachable on foot.

Choose it for: travelers who value a living area, families needing more room, and a central base near the wharves.

Know before booking: layouts and views vary. Confirm bed arrangements, kitchen facilities, parking and whether your selected unit faces the harbor or city.

3. Francis Malbone House — best romantic historic inn

The Francis Malbone House is an 18th-century inn at 392 Thames Street. Its official site highlights luxury rooms, antique furnishings, breakfast and afternoon tea. The address places guests in the waterfront district while delivering a more intimate inn experience.

Choose it for: couples, historic ambiance, included breakfast and a stay that feels distinctly New England.

Know before booking: historic properties can differ substantially by room. Verify stairs, elevator access, bathroom configuration and parking before reserving.

4. Admiral Fitzroy Inn — best traditional Thames Street B&B

Built in 1854, Admiral Fitzroy Inn stands at 398 Thames Street and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The inn advertises a central waterfront-district location, breakfast and a private parking lot.

Choose it for: classic architecture, a smaller-property feel and the convenience of parking in a busy district.

Know before booking: ask whether parking is guaranteed for your room and confirm the size and accessibility of the specific accommodation.

Lower Thames Street in Newport RI near the harbor

5. Bouchard Inn — best for Lower Thames dining access

Bouchard Inn is located at 505 Thames Street, farther south than the busiest central blocks. The inn’s official site lists 15 rooms across nearby locations, private baths, sitting areas, complimentary continental breakfast and free off-street parking.

Choose it for: easy access to Lower Thames restaurants, a smaller inn and travelers who want to leave the car parked.

Know before booking: because rooms may be in multiple nearby buildings, confirm the exact address, stairs and check-in process for the room you select.

6. The Firehouse Inn — best for a small group

The Firehouse Inn at 595 Thames Street offers a quieter southern location while remaining within walking distance of harbor attractions, shops and restaurants. The property promotes a gourmet kitchen, free parking and Wi-Fi, making it appealing for travelers who want more of a residential setup.

Choose it for: couples or small groups wanting space, a kitchen and the less hectic end of Thames Street.

Know before booking: this is a very small property rather than a full-service hotel. Confirm the number of rooms included, occupancy rules and cancellation terms.

Thames Street Newport RI waterfront at sunset

Temporarily unavailable: Club Wyndham Inn on the Harbor

Club Wyndham Inn on the Harbor is normally a strong Thames Street option at number 359, with one-bedroom condo-style units, kitchenettes and a rooftop deck. However, the official resort page currently says renovation delays have extended the closure through October 2026 and that arrivals beginning July 1 are canceled. Do not rely on third-party availability without confirming the resort has reopened.

Which part of Thames Street is best?

Central Thames and the wharves

Choose the blocks around Newport Bay Club and Forty 1° North if you want the densest cluster of shopping, dining, harbor excursions and nightlife. This area is convenient and energetic, but street activity can continue into the evening.

Lower Thames

The stretch around Francis Malbone House, Admiral Fitzroy, Bouchard Inn and The Firehouse Inn feels progressively more residential as you travel south. It remains walkable to downtown while placing guests closer to King Park and the southern side of town.

What staying on Thames Street is really like

Excellent without a car: restaurants, shops, wharves and harbor cruises are close together.
Busy in peak season: expect pedestrians, delivery activity, traffic and occasional nighttime noise.
Parking varies: a property may offer free parking, paid valet, limited spaces or parking away from the building.
Historic layouts differ: stairs, elevators, room sizes and views are not standardized.
The street is long: an address on Thames Street is not automatically beside every downtown attraction.

Thames Street or Cliff Walk?

Stay on Thames Street when dining, shopping, sailing and nightlife are your priorities. Stay near Cliff Walk when ocean scenery, mansions and early-morning coastal walks matter more. Travelers wanting both can use Thames Street as the livelier base and walk, trolley or rideshare toward Bellevue Avenue and the coast. If being closer to the sand is more important, compare our Newport hotels near the beach.

Booking checklist

Confirm the full street address and exact building for your room.
Ask whether parking is included, guaranteed and on-site.
Request a quieter room away from street-facing nightlife if sleep is a concern.
Verify elevator access and steps at historic inns.
Compare room type, harbor view and kitchen details carefully.
Book refundable terms when a property is renovating or reopening.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hotels on Thames Street in Newport, RI

What is the best luxury hotel on Thames Street?

Forty 1° North is the leading contemporary luxury choice directly on Thames Street, with a marina, waterfront setting and on-site dining.

Which Thames Street hotel is best for families?

Newport Bay Club’s suite-style accommodations can work well for families needing extra space. Always verify beds, occupancy limits and kitchen facilities for the exact unit.

Which hotels include parking?

Admiral Fitzroy Inn, Bouchard Inn and The Firehouse Inn advertise parking, but availability and terms can change. Confirm that a space is included and guaranteed for your dates.

Is Thames Street walkable?

Yes. It is one of Newport’s main pedestrian-oriented visitor corridors, though sidewalks and crowds can be challenging during busy weekends and events.

What hotels are within walking distance of downtown Newport?

Hotels directly on Thames Street are among the most convenient choices for exploring downtown Newport on foot. Forty 1° North, Newport Bay Club & Hotel, Francis Malbone House and Admiral Fitzroy Inn place guests close to restaurants, shops, wharves and harbor activities, while Bouchard Inn and The Firehouse Inn offer locations farther south on Lower Thames Street.

Is Club Wyndham Inn on the Harbor open?

The official resort alert says its closure extends through October 2026. Contact the resort directly for the latest reopening status.

Related Newport hotel guides

Compare the broader downtown hotel selection, reserve the right outlook with our harbor-view guide, or plan a couples trip with our romantic hotel guide.

Editorial note: We reviewed official hotel pages on August 13, 2026. Addresses, amenities, renovation schedules and parking policies can change. Verify all important details directly with the property before booking.

Sources

Thames Street is convenient for car-free arrivals. See our Providence to Newport guide for ferry, bus, airport and train connections.