Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Newport and Rhode Island

Before you go

What happens when you get there

Cliff Walk

Dogs are allowed on a lead, and the walk's own guidance is to watch for poison ivy. It runs 3.5 miles, is open sunrise to sunset 365 days a year, and about two thirds of it is easy walking. Two repair closures have detours in place, so part of the route may be diverted.

Newport Mansions

Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed in the museums. Service animals are welcome on a lead. Whether a pet dog can walk the grounds isn't stated, so ask before you go, and plan the house tours for a time when someone can stay with the dog.

Beaches

For Easton's Beach in Newport and Second and Third Beach in Middletown, check the town's own page for the dates you travel. Castle Hill Inn does not allow dogs on its own beach. At Weekapaug Inn, ask the concierge which stretch of beach is open to dogs in the month you visit.

State parks

Fort Adams State Park and Brenton Point State Park in Newport are both listed as pet friendly by Rhode Island State Parks. The detailed conditions, such as lead length and any seasonal limits, aren't confirmed, so keep your dog on a lead and check the signs on arrival.

Getting around

RIPTA buses take service animals only, so no pet dogs on the state bus network. Amtrak takes dogs and cats up to 20 pounds including the carrier, in a carrier no bigger than 19 x 14 x 10.5 inches, on trips up to seven hours on most routes, in Coach and Acela Business Class. Put together, a medium or large dog needs a car.

Dining with a dog

The hotels here keep dogs out of their dining areas. The Vanderbilt's policy says only service animals are permitted in dining areas under Rhode Island law, Castle Hill Inn keeps dogs off its Lawn and out of its bars and dining room, and Forty 1° North out of its restaurants, bars and pavilion deck. That is the hotels' own venues. For restaurants in town, ring ahead.

Weight limits

Forty 1° North takes dogs of 25 lbs (about 11.3 kg) or less, The Cliffside Inn 30 lbs (about 13.6 kg), The Beatrice 35 lbs (about 15.9 kg). The Vanderbilt takes one dog under 50 lbs (about 22.7 kg) and The Pell one dog up to 50 lbs. Weekapaug Inn takes up to two dogs with a combined weight under 70 lbs (about 31.8 kg). The Brenton Hotel publishes no limit, and Castle Hill Inn doesn't publish one either, so confirm both when booking.

Block Island ferry

On the traditional ferry, pets are allowed on board on a lead or in a carrier and not on benches or tables in the cabins. On the Hi-Speed ferry from Point Judith and Newport, pets are allowed in the cabin in a carrier only, and a dog on a lead stays on the outside decks. Sort out where you'll stay first. The 1661 Inn and Hotel Manisses group does not allow pets at most of its properties, and we have no Block Island hotel on the list.

Best walks

The Cliff Walk in Newport, 3.5 miles on a lead with about two thirds of it easy going. Brenton Point State Park and Fort Adams State Park, both listed as pet friendly. The harbour front from Long Wharf, which is at the door of The Brenton Hotel. The walking paths across Castle Hill Inn's 40 acres if you're staying there. In Westerly, the Weekapaug shoreline beside Quonochontaug Pond, where the inn's naturalist leads private dog walks on select days. In Providence, Grant's Block Dog Park is about 0.2 miles from The Beatrice.

When to go

The rules we can stand behind don't change by month. The Cliff Walk is open sunrise to sunset all year and takes dogs on a lead every day of it, and none of the dog fees published by these hotels changes by season. What can change with the calendar is the beaches. The rules for Easton's Beach and for Second and Third Beach in Middletown aren't confirmed, so check the town's own page before you plan a summer trip around the sand, and ask Weekapaug Inn which beach is open to dogs in your month.