Arrive Magazine - July/August, 2011

SPECIAL HOTEL SPOTLIGHT
Escape to
Circa 1772

ne thing’s for certain: When you stay at the
really moves—at about 30 knots (that’s 35 miles per
Jailhouse Inn in Newport, R.I., you’ll never
hour for you landlubbers). The Madeleine, well,
feel trapped.

she’s more of a gentle girl: a classic sailboat with two
Sure, the Jailhouse Inn used to be the old
masts—one of them 68 feet high.

Newport County Jail, built in 1772, and when
No matter how you spend your days, the Jail-
you check in you’ll see some of the original
house Inn is never far away should you need to run
metal bars. But this luxury inn is so much a part
back to the room for your sunglasses, or require rest
of Newport itself, you’ll feel a grand sense of
and relaxation after all that busy sightseeing.

place the moment you step o; its grand front
Each of the 23 rooms is individual, reflecting
porch and out into the quaint downtown.

the light and airy feel of the Federal-style building.
The Jailhouse Inn’s location can’t be beat:
Some have di;erent ceiling shapes; all are deco-
It’s in the center of everything and just one block
rated individually with mahogany furnishings. You
from Washington Square, which bustles with shop-
won’t feel like you’re in a cookie-cutter hotel here.

ping and nightlife.
What you will feel is pampering. There are
The White Horse Tavern, one of New England’s luxurious bed linens and fine toiletries.

oldest, is right across the street, and you’ll find bou-
Tea and pastries are served midafternoon.

tiques and designer shops on nearby Thames Street. Amid all the sights and sounds of Newport, you’ll
You can walk to the International Tennis Hall of Fame feel a calm oasis in your room.

& Museum to catch a match on the grass court, or
head for sundowners at the Hotel Viking, where
there is a rooftop lounge. And, of course, you’ll pay
Come morning, you’ll be served a European-
style, complimentary breakfast, which means
honest-to-goodness eggs (hard boiled, so you
a visit to Newport’s most famous attraction, the Cli;
can help yourself), toast and ham, among other
Walk, where you can admire the beautiful coastline
gourmet goodies. Enjoy them with a steaming cup
while taking in the grandeur of the Gilded Age man-
of co;ee in the charming dining room.

sions along its banks.
Also, if you’re so inclined, you
During the day, you’d do
might ask the sta; about some of
well to book a cruise on the
the artifacts that were found when

Madeleine, a 72-foot schooner, or
ABOVE: SUITE
BELOW: THE INN’S EXTERIOR
the old jail was renovated (bags of
boat. The Newport Harbor has a beautiful western view, so sunsets from the water are outstanding. Rum Runner, which used to move booze during Prohibition, is for adventurous types: The boat trial evidence, for one). After your stay, you’ll feel like such a part of Newport you’ll be longing to return for another trip. And when you do, you can bet this is one spend another night.