Two Newport, RI Luxury Inns - Francis Malbone House & Hilltop

Francis Malbone House is located on Thames Street in Newport, RI’s historic harborfront district.Known for its distinctive wealth and nautical history, it’s no surprise  that Newport’s renowned mansions are a must-do for anyone visiting the town.  The quieter delight, however, are the beautifully restored mansions-turned-luxury inns, with equally impressive legacies in this harborside town.  Just an hour outside of Boston and within easy getaway distance from anywhere in New England, Newport offers a lively historic yet sophisticated maritime getaway, especially in the quieter spring season.

Two of Newport’s most sophisticated inns are owned by Will Dewey, a gifted innkeeper and owner of the Francis Malbone House and Hilltop Inn,  Both perfect examples of historic preservation done well, each is within easy walking distance to all of Newport’s distinctive restaurants, shopping and harborfront attractions.  Enter either one of these inns and you’re transported to a tranquility that quickly helps to shake off the stresses that precipitated your getaway.  I was lucky to explore both of Will Dewey’s inns on a recent trip to Newport. Read on for to learn more about these fabulous inns and view a gallery of photos.

A taste of spring from New England bed and breakfasts

Jumping Rocks photographers captured this birds nest at the Inn at Stockbridge in Stockbridge, MA. Photo by Matthew Lovette.a guest blog by B&B specialist, Marti Maye

While every other region of the country celebrates four seasons, New England has an unofficial fifth one called mud season. 

Usually in full bloom around mid-April, Mud Season came to New England early this year.  Heaping helpings of rain have insured that rivers will run, wells will not go dry and gardens will thrive after this wet spring. 

I thought you might enjoy a touch of springtime, compliments of a number of New England inns and Jumping Rocks, a talented team of photographers who specialize in hospitality and B&B photography (along with travel, interiors, food and a number of other genres).  

Read on for tips on spring photography and be sure to click through the slide show for your breath of springtime.

Tiptoe through the tulips at the Lamplight Inn in Ohio Amish Country

“Spring has sprung, the grass has ‘riz, I wonder where the tulips is?” No need to look too far for beautiful flower gardens. For travelers looking for their flower-fix, the Lamplight Inn in Dublin, Ohio might just make the perfect tulip-filled spring road trip  in April or May. 

From cities throughout the U.S. simply fly to Cleveland, OH, and rent a car for a beautiful drive through Ohio’s Amish countryside to the Lamplight Inn, where tens of thousands of tulips will usher in spring and shoo away the winter doldrums.

For more information and to view photos of the tulips, click here.

A wee bit of the B&B blarney this Saint Patty's Day

Cead Mile Failte means “100,000 welcomes” in Irish. Look for the Irish flag along with the American one at the Irish Inn in Southern Illinois. Photo provided by the Irish Inn. As they say in Ireland, “there are as many ways to relax as there are shades of green”. With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, we wanted to share a few inns with a special connection to Ireland.  From Illinois to Virginia, innkeepers will transport you to the Emerald Isle with everything from complimentary Irish beer to a wee taste of rare Irish tea. 

Read more on the BedandBreakfast.com blog and see photos of inns where fine Irish hospitality is served up throughout the year, especially on St. Patricks Day.