Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
5.0
#5 of 56 B&Bs in Newport
Location
5.0
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
4.9
Value
4.7
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Waterfront Inn located in the heart of Newport's bustling waterfront.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English
Location
392 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840
The Francis Malbone House
1,652 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
The Francis Malbone House is celebrated for its blend of historical elegance and comfort, with guests often remarking on the tastefully decorated ambiance. It is lauded for providing exceptional value, combining historic allure with modern conveniences, though a few guests have noted room amenities could be improved. The service at this hotel stands out, with special mentions of the friendly staff and outstanding breakfasts.
Its cleanliness is top-notch, and the central location makes exploring Newport's attractions a breeze. While the rooms are comfy and well-appointed, some guests mention minor issues with lighting and A/C noise.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Exceptional
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveler reviews and learn more about how the site works.
We stayed at the Francis Malbone a number of years ago, and it was our first choice of lodging in Newport when we decided to go for a winter week end this January. It is an historic house beautifully restored. Even the new addition rooms are elegantly decorated in keeping with the historic aura of the house. The rooms are spacious, the beds large and comfortable, the rooms cozy with fireplaces, and the breakfasts and afternoon teas are delicious. The staff makes you feel completely at home and are very helpful in suggesting restaurants and sites to see. The Francis Malbone House is the perfect place for a peaceful, comfortable, civilized experience that revives the spirit.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:They are all lovely. If you want a room that is as old as the house stay in the old section.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This charming inn puts attention into every detail, from the curious ornamental elements all over the house to the impeccable cleanliness of every room. And lest I forget the well manicured courtyard! Everywhere you look there is something charming and delightful to discover. My husband and I stayed here for a three night mini-moon and had such a great time. We stayed in the Counting House Suite and were big fans of the fireplace and two seat Jacuzzi. The hosts were very friendly and helpful in making activity suggestions and booking reservations (Sue, Will, and Kevin). The food was phenomenal, and I was happy that they had a vegetarian option for everything. There's nothing better than an afternoon tea with a plate of homemade desserts. The afternoon tea really sold us on booking here and it didn't disappoint! I recommend a stay here for anyone who appreciates charming details, amazing food, and wants to feel like a special guest.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:The Counting House Suite is basically a room off to it's own, so you have no neighbors on any...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Will Dewey, Owner at The Francis Malbone House
Responded Oct 27, 2020
Dear Eliz, The title says in all! Thank you for the compliments and the fantastic review. "Impeccable cleanliness" is music to our ears! The housekeepers work hard to make sure everything is shiny and clean. Your words of kindness went a long way with them. We are thrilled we met your expectations and look forward to making your next visit spectacular! Kind regards, Maryellen
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveler reviews.
This was a superb experience from the get go. Our room was lovely, immaculate, and had a charming vibe. The inn itself has, in my opinion, the best location, as it is steps away from anything of interest. Breakfast was top-notch, served in a gorgeous dining room, served by the most professional and engaging staff. Tables were appointed with fresh picked flowers, linens were perfect, and the food could not possibly have been better. PS- buy the cookbook!!! There was a generous selection of options and staff were always eager to adjust menu items to your meet dietary requirements. Afternoon tea was something to look forward to as well! They have a delightful array of savory and sweet treats accompanied by tea, coffee, lemonade or iced tea. Will, the inn owner, was warm, engaging and was eager to help with intinerary ideas, as was Kevin. We looked forward to conversations with them, learning about the area, and getting to know them. I have to say, it was very hard to leave, but I know I will be back as I completely understand why they have so many return and loyal visitors. Thank you Will, Kevin, and the entire staff. This was perhaps the best Inn we have ever stayed at!!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited Newport in September 2021 in one of my first post-pandemic trips. I opted for this Inn after reading the reviews and was not disappointed. Unlike other venues, it has not reduced service in any way, providing complete daily maid service and even a nightly turndown service. The Inn did not require staff or guests to wear masks which surprised me somewhat but may reflect the state’s current approach to the infection. The breakfasts were sensational—absolutely delicious and lovely to look at! The beds were quite comfortable and in room 5C at the end of the hall, I could hear nothing from neighbors. The WiFi was strong most days but petered out the final evening of my stay. The innkeepers were so kind, they made an extra effort to make sure I had coffee and a roll on my last morning because I was missing breakfast. (I overslept!) Overall, a luxurious and wonderful experience with the personal touch I look for in an inn.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What can I add about the Francis Malbone house that hasn’t already been said! I’ll simply confirm…
Location: great location right on Thames within walking distance of the main attractions and restaurants. We stayed eight days and rarely used our car. Don’t be worried about street noise. We stayed in the Counting House Room which is in the front of the B&B so right on Thames and were not bothered at all by noise.
Facility: Wow! From the sitting rooms to the gardens where breakfast is served to our suite, every detail was well thought out. Will stayed true to the original Colonial era history. Sitting in the parlors, I expected to see Francis Malbone himself walk in and greet me! Every area was clean and it was clear upkeep was important. On several occasions during our stay, Kevin could be found checking the parlors to ensure lamps, TV’s etc. were in good working order. The parlors provided a quiet and peaceful place to read and relax. I highly recommend the Counting House Room if you are looking for a larger space. It has a nice sitting area and a small table if you want to eat in private.
Food: As others stated, the smell of freshly baked goods permeates the House. Breakfast was always outstanding. If you are a light breakfast eater, they serve a variety of muffins and other baked goods, fruits and yogurt. I tried to stick with the lighter fare but every morning at least one of the two hot choices lured me away. Always one egg based and one sweet choice, waffle or pancake. You can’t go wrong with either. The afternoon offering was varied, both sweet and savory. As we are early eaters, we didn’t indulge as often, but what we did try was delicious.
Staff: I saved the best for last! Every single member of the staff treated us like family, staring with Will. It is clear the entire FMH team is dedicated to Will and their guests. Some have been there decades which says a lot. My husband had a resurgence of a health condition just prior to our trip and was in quite a bit of pain during most of our time there. Everyone was so kind, checking on him every day and asking if there was anything they could do for us. Will gave us some great recommendations for activities and helped us book a trolley tour that was almost sold out. It is clear that Will and his team always put the guest first. I hesitate to name names as I know I’ll miss someone, so our thanks and gratitude go out to the entire staff (especially all “the Sue’s”).
If you are planning a trip to Newport, you will find no better lodgings than the Francis Malbone House.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I spent three days and nights at the Francis Malbone Inn. We had a wonderful time! The inn itself is very comfortable with several sitting rooms with fireplaces. The rooms were extremely cozy and it was a pleasure relaxing in these rooms. They have tea at every day in the afternoon. The food was excellent! The breakfasts were also excellent! All the food and baked goods are made on the premises. The bedrooms were extremely comfortable and the bed was enormous and provided a sound sleep. The staff was extremely accommodating and helpful. The inn's location was perfect. You could get to the downtown in minutes by foot and it was very quiet at night. All in all it was a terrific way to enjoy Newport. I highly recommend it.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Just be aware it is a walk up with two stories. No problem if you don't mind stairs.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from InnkeeperMalbone, Manager at The Francis Malbone House
Responded Feb 13, 2020
Dear Dana and Peggy, Thank you so much for the kind review. We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed your stay at the Malbone House. We know how important a good night's sleep is so we are glad the beds were comfortable enough and the rooms peaceful enough to provide that for you. It's great to feel rested and refreshed and ready for our delicious gourmet breakfast! We hope to see you again soon! Fondly, Maryellen
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Having visited Newport often, this was the first time we had the pleasure of staying at The Francis Malbone House. Our room was beautiful and very comfortable, High Tea was far more than that - the homemade treats were absolutely delicious. Breakfast was amazing. Staff was warm and friendly What a great way to celebrate our 25th Anniversary! We wish it were more than just one night,but we will definitely return soon.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from InnkeeperMalbone, Manager at The Francis Malbone House
Responded Feb 13, 2020
Dear David, We are honored you chose to stay at the Francis Malbone House for your 25th Anniversary. It's a wonderful thing that you stumbled upon us and hopefully this will be your home away form home while in Newport. I agree that our tea and breakfast are pretty spectacular and safe to say, the highlight of most visits! We have two very talented chefs who are always testing great recipes. We look forward to future visits! Warm regards, Maryellen
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I searched for a long time until I found the right inn for a mini winter getaway. I looked at waterfront hotels with lots of amenities and almost booked one of those and then I found the Francis Malbone House and it was such a great choice. Maryellen, Kevin, and Suzanne are wonderful innkeepers providing information, recommendations, and conversation. This is a gorgeous mansion with several sitting rooms. Each sitting room has a working wood fireplace. Suzanne, whom I dubbed our "fireplace fairy" made sure whichever one we were sitting in front of was stoked and crackling. Breakfasts were phenomenal and the full afternoon tea was beyond compare. Both savory and sweet delectables are offered. It was so bountiful that we didn't need dinner. The room we stayed in had a gas fireplace and faced a small courtyard, so private and quiet. Lovely. I have stayed in lots of inns and this one is superlative! Can't wait to return.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Francis Malbone House is the type of business that you enter as a stranger, but leave feeling like a friend. It is evident from the moment you first walk in that Will and his staff put their heart into everything they do. I booked my stay here based solely on the reviews, thinking there is no way the Francis Malbone House could live up to them. Not only did they live up to the excellent reviews, they exceeded them. The staff is warm and friendly and engage in conversation in a way that you feel like their only guest. The food at breakfast and tea is some of the best in Newport. The location couldn’t be any more convenient, yet the noise from Thames Street was not an issue at all. The facilities have all the charm a 1700s house could provide, but they are so clean and well-maintained that you forget the age of the building. There is something truly special about the Francis Malbone House and I can’t wait to experience it again.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Will Dewey, Owner at The Francis Malbone House
Responded Jul 27, 2022
Elizabeth, You and your sister were instantly the staff's new favorites! We so enjoyed talking with you each morning at breakfast and listening to your previous day's excursions. Thank you for leaving such a nice review and noticing all of our little touches! It's what keeps our Malbone family return year after year. Looking forward to seeing you again!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Francis Malbone House is an experience. It offers a warm welcome with an elegant backdrop. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with such enthusiasm. Truly, the entire building smells like bacon and freshly baked sweets from the breakfast served hours before. Their courtyard will be blooming with wisteria and hydrangea in a few months, but we were happy to enjoy the sunshine while seated at a small table. The sitting rooms are beautifully staged. The room we stayed in, even at its most modest price, was absolutely gorgeous. Exceptionally clean and comfortable. The jazz music playing is a nice touch too. The staff will bend over backwards to assist you. The afternoon tea and breakfast are not to be missed. Sweet and savory items made in-house allow you to barely leave the property except for dinner. The location on Thames is perfect for you to explore the entire harbor area, walking no more than 10 minutes to any restaurant or store. All in all, if you can afford it, the Francis Malbone House is the perfect Newport getaway and is sure to deliver above and beyond! Can’t wait to go back!
Read more
Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Will Dewey, Owner at The Francis Malbone House
Responded May 26, 2022
We appreciate you noticing (and commenting on) all the little touches around the inn. We travel ourselves and get great ideas from other properties to share with our guests. After 32 years, I think we’ve perfected the art of innkeeping. We look forward to hosting you both again.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We certainly can accommodate your group for breakfast and also in our common rooms - please contact me directly and we can discuss in detail.
Warm Regards
Anne Maria
There are more places to choose from in the Newport area.
PRICE RANGE
$372 - $634 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
francis malbone house hotel newport
LOCATION
United StatesRhode IslandNewport
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
