Why I Refuse to Go to Bed at 7 PM: Newport Beach Hotel & Suites Review

Let’s be real for a second: The biggest buzzkill of family travel isn’t the packing or the flight delays—it’s the hotel room bedtime. If you’ve ever sat in the dark at 7:00 PM, eating take-out in silence because the toddler is asleep five feet away, you know exactly what I mean.

I love my children fiercely, but I refuse to end my day when the sun goes down. That is why our recent trip to Newport, RI, was such a success. We stayed at the Newport Beach Hotel & Suites, and it was the perfect masterclass in how to vacation with a multi-generational squad (Me, Alex, my mom, and the girls) without losing your mind—or your evening.

Here is the full scoop on our stay in the Historic Building, and why this spot is a hidden gem for families who want a little space to breathe.

The Suite Life (Literally)

We booked a Historic Building One King Suite, and friends, the layout was everything. We were told there are different setups, but in ours, the King bedroom was a completely separate room. Cue the Hallelujah chorus.

When you walk in from the hallway, you enter a proper living area. This space became our central hub. It had a table with two chairs, a dresser with a large flatscreen TV, and a pull-out couch where my mom and Arielle (6) set up camp.

The amenities here were thoughtful for families:

The “Kitchenette” Situation: A fridge that was thankfully larger than a standard mini-fridge (perfect for milk, bottles of water and seltzer, and leftovers), a microwave, and two complimentary waters.
The Bedroom: A separate sanctuary with a King bed, a dresser with another TV, and a little wardrobe setup. It wasn’t a closet, per se, but it did the job. Plus, an iron and ironing board because wrinkled clothes are not the vibe.

The Bed Verdict: The beds were incredibly comfortable. We usually need a mountain of pillows (especially for the pull-out couch), so we did request a few extra from the front desk, but with those and another blanket delivery, everyone slept soundly.

The One Hiccup: The bathroom is located off the King bedroom. This meant that if my mom or Arielle needed to use the facilities in the middle of the night, they had to creep into our room. In this case I was more concerned about waking up our 2-year-old, Aurora, who was sleeping in a pack-n-play thoughtfully provided by the hotel that we had put in our room. Ideally, a door from the living room would have been a game-changer, but we made it work!

The Bathroom: Marble & Magic

Speaking of the bathroom—it was giving luxe. We’re talking a large marble vanity with shelves underneath and plenty of counter space to sprawl out toiletries for five people (me, Alex, Mom, and the kids).

The Shower: A large marble shower with containers of luxe shampoo, conditioner, and body wash built right into the wall.
The Details: Hand soap and a nice moisturizer were also mounted by the large vanity mirror.
The Cleanliness: Everything was spotless. And I have to mention the rugs—they were incredibly clean. When you have a 2-year-old like Aurora who spends half her life playing on the floor, clean rugs are a non-negotiable luxury.
The Hairdryer: Basic, but powerful enough to dry Arielle’s hair after the pool (more on that in a minute).

Entertainment: Elf on Repeat

While there were no streaming apps like Netflix or Disney+, the cable options were plentiful. The real MVP feature? You could pause live TV.

This was critical because we were watching Elf for the 11-millionth time, and in this family, we do not miss the scene where Buddy accosts the Santa at Gimbels. Being able to pause the chaos to grab a snack or handle a toddler meltdown without missing the movie? 10/10.

Breakfast & Fuel

Mornings with kids are a race against the hangry clock. The hotel offers a complimentary buffet breakfast from 7 AM to 10 AM, which gave us plenty of time to get the troops mobilized.

The spread included:

Make-your-own waffles (always a hit).
Oatmeal, toast, and bagels.
Hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, and plenty of cereal options.
Pastries (Tiny and… okay. Not the best I’ve ever had, but I appreciate the effort!).

Bonus: There is coffee and tea available 24/7 in the lobby. As a mom running on caffeine and Christmas spirit, this was helpful.

The Pool & The Rooftop Moment

Across the street in the newer Suites building, you’ll find the pool and hot tub on the second floor. The pool is small but lovely, featuring full-length windows with gorgeous ocean views. It wasn’t too busy, so the girls had a blast splashing around.

But the real highlight for me? The rooftop hot tub.

While Alex managed the chaos of the kids for a few minutes, I snuck up to the roof. It was freezing outside, but the water was hot, and you could see the vapor rising off the surface into the crisp air. I just sat there for a few minutes, soaking in the warmth and looking out at the ocean before starting our crazy day. It was a moment of pure, quiet bliss. I bet it’s stunning at twilight, but honestly, I’ll take a few minutes of solo peace whenever I can get them.

Service & Location

The staff were incredibly accommodating. We arrived in Newport around 1:30 PM, hoping to just drop our bags, but they let us check in early! Being able to freshen up before heading to our first mansion tour was a huge bonus.

Location-wise, this place is prime real estate. It’s right near Easton’s Beach. In the summer, you could just walk across the street and be on one of the most beautiful beaches in New England. Since we visited in late November, we didn’t get a beach day, but the views were still spectacular.

Some of the most popular tourist sites like The Breakers, Bannister’s Wharf and Bowen’s Wharf are less than a 10-minute drive from the hotel, making it an ideal location for sightseeing. And if you walk about 5 minutes down the street you will find yourself at the start of Newport’s famous Cliff Walk.

Final Thoughts

We utilized almost everything this hotel had to offer—except the spa (maybe next time!). For a family trip where you want separation of space, cleanliness, and a touch of luxury without the fuss, the Newport Beach Hotel & Suites checks all the boxes.

If you’re planning a trip to Newport, make sure to check out my 3-day Newport itinerary as well as my fashion guide!

Have you been to Newport? Do you prefer a historic inn or a modern suite? Let me know in the comments!