Twelve miles off the coast of Rhode Island is a stunningly beautiful island that too often gets ignored. When we talk about the best beach getaways on the East Coast, we often hear about Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard. But Rhode Island is hiding a pristine island that’s going to be your new favorite summer getaway!
Public beaches run along the entire perimeter of the island, creating 17 miles of free, sandy shores. Block Island is dedicated to maintaining its natural wonderland, so you’ll find many protected natural areas to explore, which aid in the conservation of more than 40 state and federal rare or endangered species.
Outside of Block Island’s natural beauty, you’ll find plenty more to do made by the island’s human residents. From theaters and fine dining to shops and spas, you’ll hardly be able to make up your mind on what to do on this charming island!
Looking for where to stay on Block Island? We’ve compiled a list of the best hotels on Block Island – from romantic B&Bs to luxury resorts – to help you plan your perfect Block Island vacation.
- Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are our top 3 picks!
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Where to Stay on Block Island
Block Island technically only has one town: New Shoreham. Being only seven miles long and three miles wide, it’s not too difficult to get around New Shoreham. You can easily bike your way around Block Island. In fact, there are many places to rent bikes on the island, including at some of the island’s hotels.
If you don’t want to stay directly on Block Island because you want to explore more of Rhode Island, pick a hotel with easy access to the Block Island Ferry so you can still spend some time on the island. Narragansett would be a top choice for your Block Island and Rhode Island beach vacation.
The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Block Island, RI
1. Avonlea
Looking for a romantic getaway? Avonlea provides perfect accommodations, making for one of the best hotels in Block Island. This adults-only bed and breakfast only allows guests over the age of 16, allowing for a more peaceful atmosphere where romance can be kept as the highest priority.
This Victorian beach house is just an eight-minute walk to the Block Island Ferry terminal, but it’s also just a 30-second trek to the beach, so you may end up not wanting to go anywhere at all but the sandy shore just outside your door.
Each room is individually designed and decorated, but all come with private bathrooms, TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Some rooms come with added features like porches or balconies, kitchenettes, and whirlpool tubs. Many rooms also include gorgeous waterfront views.
Tickle the ivories in the lounge or curl up with a good book and enjoy the fresh air on the wraparound porch. In the mornings, head to the dining room for a complimentary breakfast. In the evenings, you’ll be treated to wine, hors d’oeuvres, and the inn’s famous Block Island Barnacle cookies.
When you’re ready to head to the beach, this B&B has got you covered. Beach chairs and towels are available for guests’ use!
2. Old Town Inn
If you’re searching for more of a countryside sojourn, you’ll find one of the most peaceful places to stay on Block Island at Old Town Inn. Set in a restored 1800s general store, this pet-friendly bed and breakfast is just one mile from Fred Benson Town Beach. But you may find that you’ll never want to leave the charming, scenic four acres of this B&B’s property.
The inn’s rooms are uniquely decorated, with many offering nature views. You’ll love waking up in the morning to the sunlight seeping in, illuminating everything. Although all rooms now feature air-conditioning, most rooms do not include a television, but with so much to see outside your window, you surely won’t miss it much.
Amenities vary from room to room, but all rooms feature private baths, 1,000-thread-count sheets, down pillows, and gel pillows. Some rooms also include pullout sofas, blackout curtains, rainfall showers, USB chargers, wet bars, or fridges.
You’ll start each day with a homemade buffet breakfast. Then, you can head off to explore Block Island or enjoy the inn’s other amenities, including a deck with scenic views, an outdoor shower, and gardens.
3. Atlantic Inn
Just a half-mile from the Block Island Ferry and a mile from Fred Benson Town Beach is the Atlantic Inn, one of the best boutique hotels on Block Island. This charming Victorian inn sits on six acres atop a hill overlooking the harbor. You’ll wake up each morning to the smell of the complimentary continental breakfast and the sound of the waves lapping against the shore.
This hotel is a mix of the past and present. It strives to celebrate its heritage, as it dates all the way back to 1879, but each room is filled with modern luxury alongside some unique vintage decor. All rooms come with private baths, complimentary upscale bath products, air-conditioning, and plush bedding. TVs are not available in any room.
Explore the hotel’s walking paths, stop and smell the roses in the gardens, enjoy the cool night air from the wraparound veranda, sip complimentary coffee or tea on the sun porch, or play a game on the enclosed tennis courts. In addition to free breakfast, you also have the option of dining at Restaurant 1879, a highly-acclaimed upscale dining experience that comes complete with an award-winning wine list.
4. Rose Farm Inn
Located inside former farm buildings set on 20 acres of beautiful green pastures, the Rose Farm Inn is one of the best places to stay on Block Island if you’re looking for a scenic getaway that’s still close to the island’s attractions. This historic inn is just an 11-minute walk from the Block Island Ferry. Primarily an adults-only retreat, this inn does allow for children over the age of 12 to stay with adults.
Each room is uniquely decorated with antique furnishings and comes with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, heaters, smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, and refrigerators. Most rooms have private bathrooms, but some are shared. Many units come with stunning views, whether they be of the ocean or the countryside. Upgraded rooms also come with additional amenities, including whirlpool tubs and porches.
Greet the day with a free continental breakfast. Then, rent a bicycle on-site to explore the island, or pick up a complimentary beach towel and walk down to one of the nearby beaches. Enjoy taking in the ocean views from the sundeck, or curl up with a good book on the shady stone porch. At night, head to the fields to enjoy looking at the stars while cozying up around the fire pit.
5. Ballard’s Inn
More than an inn, Ballard’s Inn is a full beach club, making it one of the coolest hotels in Block Island. Though it’s located just one mile from Fred Benson Town Beach, the inn itself boasts its own private beach, so you don’t have to travel that far to dip your toes in the sand.
Each causal and comfortable guest room has a flat-screen TV with DirecTV, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and a private bath with complimentary toiletries. Some rooms also offer harbor views and furnished balconies. But with all that this hotel offers, you likely won’t be spending too much time in the room.
Head out to the private beach, where you can book everything you need to enjoy the sunny summer day. You can book chairs, umbrellas, and beach fires. You can also get the luxury treatment in a private cabana, which comes with plush sofas, daybeds, lounge chairs, coolers, cornhole tables, and personal food and drink service. You’ll also catch some live music if you’re visiting in the summer.
There are other places where you can eat at Ballard’s Inn, too. Ballard’s restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner right by the beach, where you can chow down on local seafood, including multiple forms of New England’s treasured lobster rolls. Stop by the Daiquiri Bar for tons of different options for sweet sips, or pop by the tiki huts to get a drink right on the beach!
6. The Sullivan House
Just six minutes from Crescent Beach and a mile from the Block Island Ferry is a quaint little inn that’s one of the best hotels in Block Island. Sitting atop a hill that overlooks the Great Salt Pond, The Sullivan House is a quiet and cozy place to stay, offering everything you need for your Block Island vacation in one place. It’s the only inn with private access to the Great Salt Pond, and it rents out bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks to help you explore it and the areas around it.
The charming antique-filled and light-filled rooms at this hotel boast beautiful nature views, as well as private baths, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Upgraded rooms come with pullout sofas, two-person Jacuzzi tubs, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffee makers.
Each morning, you can enjoy your complimentary breakfast in the elegant dining room or the wraparound porch. And in the evenings, you can enjoy a drink at the bar. In between, you’ll love exploring Block Island and getting out in the water at the private beach. In addition to equipment rentals, you can also book yourself a yoga class for added relaxation and entertainment.
7. Payne’s Harbor View Inn
Sitting atop a hill overlooking the Great Salt Pond, Payne’s Harbor View Inn is one of the best places to stay on Block Island for an adult-friendly getaway with scenic views galore! Catering to guests 12 years and up, this inn is just an eight-minute walk from Crescent Beach and offers a warm and inviting atmosphere.
All of the cozy guest rooms offer private bathrooms, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, and ceiling fans. Most rooms also come with whirlpool tubs, while some have pullout sofas. Suites add in-room Jacuzzis, seating areas, and fridges. During the summer, air-conditioning is available for select rooms, while other rooms have air-conditioning units available for rent.
Relax and meet your fellow travelers in one of two lounges, enjoy a complimentary breakfast in the dining room, or marvel at the view from the furnished terrace. When you’re ready to hit the beach, chairs and towels are available for you. In the summer, you can also rent kayaks and paddleboards right on-site or grab a sweet treat at the seasonal donut and ice cream shop.
8. National Hotel
Just three minutes from the Block Island Ferry is the National Hotel, one of the best Block Island hotels due to its ideal location. This Victorian hotel boasts cozy accommodations and scenic ocean views. You’re also right in the heart of the downtown area, placing you just steps from the island’s boutique shopping, fine dining, and pristine beaches.
The simple and impeccable rooms at this hotel include private bathrooms, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and either island or ocean views. Some rooms have additional seating areas, while suites have separate living rooms. Some suites include added touches like rainfall showerheads, pullout sofas, fridges, and porch access.
Shop your way through the hotel’s six retail locations, which include a place for some creamy gelato, or hang out by the fire pits and enjoy nightly live entertainment in the backyard on summer weekends. The on-site restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and drinks, offering fine dining with New England-inspired dishes featuring freshly-caught seafood.
9. The Break Hotel
Located near Narragansett Beach and Scarborough Beach, The Break Hotel is one of the top boutique hotels near Block Island. Though in Narragansett rather than on Block Island, you’ll be right near the island as you’ll have easy access to the ferry from its terminal in Point Judith.
The beach-themed guest rooms include a variety of luxurious amenities, including heated bathroom floors, plush linens, natural gas fireplaces, seating areas, smart TVs, air-conditioning, heating, free Wi-Fi, fridges, Keurig coffee makers, rainfall showerheads, Lather bath products, and robes. Upgraded rooms come with additional touches, like writing desks, reading nooks, balconies, and sleeper sofas.
Start the day with a complimentary breakfast, then take a dip in the heated outdoor saltwater pool, which is open all year round. Or you can head to the beach with your complimentary beach bag, towels, and chairs in tow. If you want to cruise around town, beach bicycles are also available for rent, with the first three hours of use being free.
Relax in the outdoor sauna or soak in the sun on the outdoor sun deck, complete with outdoor changing rooms and private rain showers. For even more relaxation, you can also book a treatment at the on-site spa. If you’d rather work up a sweat, the fitness room is available, which includes Peloton bikes.
When you’re ready for a drink or a bite to eat, you have several spots to choose from. Chair 5 is the hotel’s on-site restaurant, which also includes a rooftop bar. Dine at the first-floor bistro, featuring locally sourced cuisine, or head to the roof to take in the view, sip artisanal cocktails, and groove to live entertainment. Room service or poolside service is also available.
10. Shelter Harbor Inn
Looking for a country retreat? Shelter Harbor Inn is one of the best places to stay near Block Island if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. Located in Westerly, Shelter Harbor Inn is set in an 1800s farmhouse that’s just 2.5 miles from Dune’s Beach. Sitting on three acres of beautiful greenery, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back to a simpler time.
Each room and suite is uniquely decorated but features soft and soothing tones for a relaxing getaway. Standard rooms include free Wi-Fi, smart TVs, private bathrooms with complimentary amenities, air-conditioning, and heating. Upgraded rooms come with additional amenities, like balconies, gas fireplaces, Illy coffee makers, and private entry.
Start your day with a complimentary continental breakfast, then explore the grounds, where you’ll find a library, croquet and paddle tennis courts, and a roof deck with a hot tub. You can also book a massage or other treatment at the on-site Ascend Spa. For dinner, head to the on-site Farmhouse Kitchen + Bar, which offers a menu built from locally-sourced ingredients.
11. Block Island Beach House
Open seasonally, the Block Island Beach House is one of the coolest hotels in Block Island, where every day is an upscale beach party! Located inside a beach house dating back to 1876, this hotel is right on Crescent Beach and offers you everything you need to enjoy your day in the surf and sand. It’s also just a four-minute walk from the Block Island Ferry, allowing you to revel in everything the Block Island area has to offer.
The Block Island Beach House actually covers two properties: The Surf and The Gables. The Surf provides visitors with the only beachfront hotel rooms on the island. Meanwhile, the Gables is just across the street and offers guests a little more space and closer proximity to the pool. The properties also have their own unique themes, with The Surf having more of a bright and vibrant personality and The Gables being more serene.
All rooms have private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, LED flat-screen TVs, USB charging outlets, blackout drapes, robes, Lather bath products, and mini-fridges. Some rooms also include balconies with scenic views.
Complimentary coffee is available every morning. Depending on which room you’re in, you may just start your day by opening up your door and already being on the beach. The hotel can help you enjoy your day at the beach with complimentary loungers and beach towels.
Although there’s a gift shop, this hotel also offers a very unique souvenir. Vintage Polaroid cameras are available to rent, helping you make some memories of your Block Island vacation. When you’re ready to eat, grab a table at The Surf, which offers oceanfront dining with BBQ and fresh seafood. Or head to the Beach Bar for summer cocktails and all-day frosé!
12. The General Stanton Inn
Though it’s a bit farther away from Block Island than the other accommodation options on this list, The General Stanton Inn is still one of the best places to stay near Block Island. Located about an hour from the island in Charlestown, this inn has the charm of an early American colonial location, with tons of more modern amenities and welcoming touches, like fresh flowers replaced daily. The hotel is indeed historic, having welcomed its first guests back in 1740!
Today, hotel rooms include free Wi-Fi and private baths with complimentary toiletries. Some rooms also feature air-conditioning or fireplaces.
In addition to being able to explore 6.7 beautiful acres, this hotel also includes several dining rooms, as well as an on-site New England tavern. For a quick bite and one of the best burgers in Rhode Island, give the Tavern a try. But for something more upscale, head to the Prohibition dining room, which offers nightly dinner specials alongside soft jazz music.
There you have it! The 12 best hotels in Block Island. Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Block Island? Let us know in the comments!
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