Sanford-Covell Villa Marina

The staff and puppy were lovely, and I’m glad we stayed. The Dolphin room was hard to keep warm, even with the noisy radiator blowers, which woke me when they kicked in overnight. There was an electric heater available. Breakfast was tasty and filling, but it was mostly supermarket pastries and processed food. I’ve had hot cooked meals at other B&Bs, and that spread didn’t fit the feel of this wonderful house. The place and its history felt like sleeping in a museum, in a good way. Since there was just one other guest, we got to look through the other rooms. They were equally impressive, except for two: one had its bathroom in the hall, and another had a tub in the room, which might be fun. We stayed in the Dolphin room in late February.

The room was clean, cozy, and had lovely views, plus a working fireplace that was perfect on a chilly rainy day. The wraparound porch was a favorite, and all the décor gave the place a warm, timeworn feel, like spending a weekend at Grandma’s. Anne and Coquette the 'grounds keeper' poodle were so sweet, and the service was attentive. The location and views are great, and the rooms have their own character. Breakfast was simple and served in a lovely shared dining room, though you can take a tray upstairs if you want privacy. Street parking is first come, first served, which was the only slightly annoying part, but that’s Newport for you. We’d love to come back in summer to spend more time by the pool, firepit, dock, and outdoor areas. The individual room doors don’t lock, but the front door does, and guests get a key; there’s also a slide chain for when you’re inside. We never felt uneasy leaving our things in the room.

The heated saltwater pool and hot tub, along with the wraparound porch and its lovely views, made this a memorable long weekend. For my wife’s birthday, I was looking for somewhere on the water in Newport RI and found this beautiful 19th-century home overlooking Newport Harbor. The wharfs, shops, and entertainment were an easy walk away. The owner, staff, and accommodations were all wonderful. I heard the house had been sold and would soon change hands, so hurry if you want to visit. Thank you, Ann and Mark, for making the trip so special.

Mozart was playing when we arrived, and we loved that Austrian composer’s music throughout our stay. The Dolphin Room was cozy, with an incredible veranda, impressive views, and a fabulous bed that made it hard to get up and get on with our Newport plans. The whole house and its many details were breathtaking, and the innkeeper was a true lady. Everyone was super nice. It’s a non-smoking place, which was a relief because I might have wanted to move in for good. They weren’t taking credit cards at the time, which put us in a bit of a bind, but we managed to sort it out. Thanks for a marvelous couple of days, and a daring kiss to Coquette!