The roaring 20s were good to Rhode Island. Flappers, dancers, and of course, those Newport mansions. But as the world roared around R.I., one little hotel was just being born. The Hotel Viking opened in May 1926 and today holds a significant place in New England history.
If you need a break from the madness of Manhattan and want a little affordable luxury on your green getaway, make way for the Viking. Just over two hours from New York and accessible by train, the grand historic hotel and its surrounding ‘city by the sea’ is a perfect place to spend a romantic winter weekend—for a steal. Start with a walk on Bellevue Avenue, where designer boutiques and restaurants offer a quaint, but elegant note to the tony town.
What to do in Newport, Rhode Island
No matter what time of year you visit Newport, there’s always something to see. Bundle up and head to Bowen’s Wharf along the water, where the yachts are docked at the harbor. Indulge in a mid-afternoon champagne cocktail or Narragansett Beer at 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille; or have a bowl of New England Clam Chowder at the Black Pearl.
Special Events
In December, get your heart racing at the sight of Newport mansions draped in lavish holiday decor. Christmas takes place at The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House.
In February, the Newport Winter Festival takes over the town with food competitions, children’s events, and live music.
Treat Yourself:
Nothing says ‘escape’ like a Thai massage in your private suite. The Hotel Viking offers spa services for all bodies and budgets, and many can be custom-designed to your needs. Spend a day (or at least a few hours) at Spa Fjor, relaxing in a seaweed bath, getting a salt scrub, and breathing in the scents of jasmine and lavender during your candle-lit massage.
Fireside Dining:
This is one of those hotels where room service is a must, if only for an aperitif. With the help of a cozy fire, the rooms ooze sensuality. So slip on a robe and choose from one of the 150 bottles of wine. After an afternoon touring the grandiose Cliff Walk, begin or end a beautiful night in Newport by enjoying the little pleasures in life. Really, who needs a mansion?
How to get there: If you have a boat, sail to Newport. Otherwise, you can take the Bonanza bus to Providence from Port Authority or an Amtrak train from Penn Station. Once in Providence, you can hop bus number 60 run by RIPTA from Kennedy Plaza towards Newport. Get off after about 1h10m ride at the last stop at Newport Gateway Center at 23 America’s Cup Avenue. For more details on Newport, visit gonewport.com.
November to March, standard rates start at $99, suites $295. To learn more about special hotel packages and events around Newport, visit the website below.
(Hotel Viking, One Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI, 401.847.3300, hotelviking.com)
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram