The Chanler at Cliff Walk is a small luxury inn occupying a restored Gilded Age mansion on Newport's Memorial Boulevard, positioned directly on the Cliff Walk — the 3.5-mile coastal path that traces the oceanfront edges of the city's most famous private estates. The Atlantic Ocean is visible from the mansion's private terraces and from most guest accommodations. Bellevue Avenue's major mansion collection, including The Breakers and Marble House, begins roughly a quarter mile south along the Cliff Walk. Newport's Thames Street waterfront restaurants and shops are a fifteen-minute walk northwest. First Beach (Easton's Beach) is adjacent to the property. Newport State Airport is five miles away; T.F. Green Airport in Providence is 33 miles.
The mansion was constructed in the 1870s for John Winthrop Chanler, a member of the Astor family by marriage, and served as a private oceanfront summer residence during Newport's Gilded Age social season. The property has operated as a guest inn since the early 2000s following a careful restoration that retained original fireplaces, millwork, and architectural proportions. Each of the 20 rooms and suites carries a distinct decorative theme — among them French Empire, Renaissance, Tudor, and Moroccan — executed with museum-quality antiques, custom wallcoverings, and period-specific furnishings. No two rooms share the same design vocabulary, making it necessary to review room layouts before booking.
Spiced Pear restaurant operates as one of Newport's most serious dining destinations, serving contemporary American cuisine from a kitchen with direct ocean views, with tasting menus and à la carte options available most evenings. Butler service is standard for all rooms. In-room and terrace-based spa treatments are available; there is no dedicated spa facility or fitness center on site, reflecting the property's intimate mansion scale. The Chanler is particularly well-suited to couples celebrating anniversaries or milestones, elopements, and high-end leisure stays where a personalized experience outweighs full resort amenities. It is not configured for families with young children or guests requiring conference or event facilities.
Room types
- Mansion Room
- Turret Suite
- Cottage Suite
- Oceanfront Suite
Amenities
- Private terraces
- Gourmet restaurant Spiced Pear
- Spa treatments
- Butler service
- On Cliff Walk
Location
117 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI 02840
41.4736, -71.3011 View on map
Highlights
- Only hotel in Newport with a room directly on the Cliff Walk, with Atlantic Ocean views from private terraces
- 20 individually themed rooms and suites, each furnished with museum-quality antiques in a distinct historical style
- Spiced Pear restaurant — one of Newport's most acclaimed dining venues, with ocean views and contemporary American tasting menus
- Butler service standard for all accommodations
- Restored 1870s Gilded Age mansion adjacent to First Beach and within walking distance of The Breakers
Tips for visiting
- Review the individual room themes on the hotel website before booking — the 20 rooms differ significantly in layout, ocean-view angle, and period aesthetic, and personal fit matters at this price point.
- The Turret Suite and Oceanfront Suite have the most dramatic Atlantic views; book these many months in advance for peak summer dates.
- Spiced Pear restaurant is open to outside guests and draws diners from across Newport — reserve well in advance regardless of whether you're staying at the inn.
- Spa treatments are in-room; request a preferred treatment time when confirming your reservation rather than waiting until arrival.
- There is no fitness center on site. First Beach is immediately adjacent for early morning walks, and the Cliff Walk itself is directly accessible from the property.