The Sylvia Beach Hotel is one of my favorite places on this planet. It is always inspiring and relaxing and is a lovely retreat when one is alone or with a partner. The journals in the cleverly decorated rooms, based on famous authors, attest to the diverse tales of the visitors to this wind-swept jewel.
While the rooms and beds are comfortable and pretty, they can be occasionally noisy, given the thin walls. My least favorite room to stay in is the women's dorm. Dang, can they snore loudly!!! One time, half of us ended up sleeping on the couches in the lounges. Quite ridiculous.
I don't always join in the dinner festivities, as there are other good restaurants in the area too, but the meals are always tasty, reasonably-priced for the quality and quantity, and invariably lively with intelligent, creative guests. Breakfast is also always a big treat.
The fire, the puzzles, the books, the wind, the beach, the mulled wine and tea, and the usually gentle and respectful style of the guests makes this a special treat any time I can get to Newport.
- Hotel Sylvia Beach
- Sylvia Beach Newport
