Newport’s long and well-preserved past depicts a uniquely American glamour—an allure that is as alive and enticing as ever. Known as “America’s First Resort,” this seaside hamlet cemented its glamorous reputation during the Gilded Age
of the 1800s, when the nation’s wealthiest barons built vacation mansions along cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. With its wealth of daytime activities and nightlife options, Newport continues to be a favorite retreat for both leisure travelers and business groups from around the country, and particularly from New York and New England.
Easy In, Easy Out
Part of the appeal of Newport is its easy-to-reach location midway along New England’s coast. Since it is situated 70 miles from Boston, 100 miles from Hartford and 180 miles from New York City, delegates from all over the Northeast can reach Newport by car within a matter of hours. And with Rhode Island’s diminutive size, delegates from across the country can fly into the state’s largest airport, the Providence area’s T.F. Green International Airport, and still be a short 25-minute ride from Newport.
“One of the great luxuries that we have is that we are easy to get to,” says Tim Walsh, vice president of sales for the Newport County CVB. “And it’s a very scenic drive into Newport. As you enter Newport, you have to go over two bridges with an amazing view of this beautiful New England seascape.”
For those who choose to fly into T.F. Green International Airport, Walsh adds that Newport’s four convention hotels—Newport Marriott, Hyatt Regency Newport, Inn at Newport Beach, and the historic Hotel Viking—offer shuttle service to and from the airport.
According to Walsh, Newport’s four convention hotels offer a combined 925 guest rooms. And because Newport is not a large metropolis, but rather a quaint and compact New England seaside community, each hotel is either in or on the edge of all of the city’s action, while maintaining a relaxed resort destination feel.
“Corporate groups are our main meetings clients, and we also host some smaller associations or association board meetings,” he says. “One of the advantages to coming to Newport is you don’t have to worry about being swallowed up by a big city. You are going to be the big fish in a small pond. We also have a lot of smaller inns that groups will buy out with 15 or 20 rooms.”
The city’s primary meetings hotels have been significantly enhancing facilities. The Hotel Viking, Newport Marriott and Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina recently wrapped up renovations, while Hyatt Regency Newport plans to finish upgrades this spring, and the Inn at Newport Beach is planning major renovations this year.
The Good Life
Newport is well known for its collection of breathtakingly opulent mansions that arose during the Gilded Age of the late 1800s. Referred to as “cottages,” these gigantic and ornate summer homes were built for families such as the Vanderbilts and Astors, and they reflect the excess of capitalism’s wealthiest champions.
The mansions no longer house wealthy summer vacationers. Instead, they are awe-inspiring pieces of a bygone era and some of the most popular attractions in town. Most of these structures are now owned and operated as “museum houses” by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
“We have a total of 22 structures on 11 historic sites in Newport, and the majority of properties are available for any number of types of functions,” says John Rodman, director of sales and marketing for the Preservation Society of Newport County. “The spaces that are available are wide-ranging in size and in terms of amenities, but every one of them is fantastic.”
For many years the organization concentrated mainly on hosting weddings at these palatial estates, but has more recently reached out to the meetings market for clients, especially for midweek events.
“We have seen on the order of 35 percent growth in each of the last two years in the number of bookings from the corporate market,” Walsh says. “We have also made a serious commitment to having the kinds of services and amenities that corporate groups need, as opposed to what weddings need.”
Groups can secure an overnight mansion experience with a stay at the Ocean Cliff Hotel. The one-time summer mansion offers 25 guest rooms and is owned by the Newport Experience, a local hospitality company that also owns and operates Newport Harbor’s Goat Island Marina, the Regatta Place yacht club and the Aurora, a classic schooner sailing ship that can accommodate up to 75 people for an ocean charter.
Another luxury mansion option for executive retreats, The Chanler at Cliff Walk dates back to 1873 and features 20 guest rooms and the acclaimed Spiced Pear restaurant. The Chanler is also located on Newport’s famed Cliff Walk a 3.5-mile National Recreation Trail that runs between the Atlantic Ocean and the back lawns of many of Newport’s most impressive mansions.
Among the other standout mansions for events are Rosecliff, Marble House and The Elms.
Destination of Distinction
Newport’s history and seaside location allow it to offer a bevy of other unique group venues. One such site is the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Originally built in 1880 and the home of the first U.S. Open, the complex features a museum, manicured grounds and 13 grass courts that groups can use for either tennis or croquet activities.
“Croquet tournaments at the Tennis Hall of Fame are great because everyone can participate on the perfectly manicured lawns with afternoon cocktails or lunch and tea,” Walsh says.
The Newport Art Museum is another popular choice for an elegant private dinner or function. Or, drawing on Newport’s Colonial history, groups can host a function in the Newport Colony House. Built in the early 1700s, the Newport Colony House hosted many important events during the birth of the nation, including one of the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. In 1782, the Newport Colony House was also the site of a banquet to honor George Washington, hosted by Gen. Rochambeau, who led the French army that assisted America during the Revolutionary War.
For seaside events, Walsh suggests one of Newport’s new waterfront venues. The recently opened Forty 1 North features 9,000 square feet of waterfront event space, including two restaurant options, a lounge, a pavilion and patio, and a landscaped garden courtyard. Future plans for the site include a 24-room boutique hotel with corporate meeting space.
Another waterfront venue, the Belle Mer, is owned and operated by the Boston-based company Longwood Events. Originally opened in time for the 2006 summer season, Belle Mer completed a $1.5 million expansion in 2007 to offer 16,000 square feet of tented event space that can accommodate groups year-round.
Activities Galore
Newport has long boasted an impressive list of festivals. In 1965 fans were shocked when Bob Dylan first “went electric” by playing with electric instruments during a performance at the annual Newport Folk Festival. Not to be outshined, the Newport Jazz Festival produced some of the greatest live performances in the careers of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Muddy Waters, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
“We really do a lot of festivals here, year-round, and a lot of people will plan meetings around those,” Walsh says.
Sailing is another popular activity for groups. Generally considered the sailing capital of the U.S., Newport was the home of the America’s Cup until 1983, when a yacht from Australia ended America’s unprecedented run of sailing championships.
“We have more sailing regattas than you can count,” Walsh says. “Sailing is our No. 1 group event, with leisurely corporate outings and a lot of team-building options. You can take up to a dozen America’s Cup yachts, seating 10 to 14 [delegates] on each, with a full crew. The crew actually gives each person a chore responsibility for a team-building event, and you go out there and race the other teams.”
In contrast to the action attendees will find onboard an ocean vessel, they’ll appreciate relaxing in one of Newport’s many full-service spas. In fact, several of the city’s hotels offer a spa, including the Hotel Viking’s Spa Terre, the Hyatt Regency Newport’s Stillwater Spa and the Newport Marriott’s Spa Vure.
Other favored group activities in Newport include all manner of harbor cruises, deep-sea fishing, golf, and traditional New England lobster bakes on the beach.
Several Newport restaurants also cater to the group market. Perhaps the city’s best-known restaurant is also its oldest. Operated as a tavern since 1673, the White Horse Tavern dates back to Newport’s days as a haven for Colonial-era pirates. The restaurant now features an extensive wine list that received the Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence,” a gourmet menu and private dining rooms that can host from four to 70 people.
Year-Round Appeal
Known as a summer vacation destination, Newport is going out of its way to lure the group market during off-peak periods.
“We are busy with meetings year-round, but especially starting mid-April and running up to Thanksgiving,” Walsh says. “In the winter, we have a meetings package to entice people to bring their meetings here.”
Likewise, the cost for hosting an event at one of Newport’s mansions depends in large part on the calendar.
“The truth is there are only so many Friday nights in June, so those are going to cost,” Newport County Preservation Society’s Rodman says. “But in the winter season or mid-week in the summer, the pricing is proportional to the demand."
For More Info
Newport County CVB 401.849.8048
www.gonewport.com
