Forty 1° North

I had a large dinner party here in the backroom which they can turn the pool table into a long table. We had 16 people and it was PERFECT. We had the best time!! Since it is inside, if you reserve this area try and have a drink outside first if it is nice! The staff (Morgan & her team) were incredibly helpful, food was so great and drinks were fantastic. Thank you to Riley for helping us get everything all set up as well! Would recommend for a private dinner for a birthday, event, etc!

Though I-95 traffic tested our patience, once my partner and I landed at Forty 1° North our vision of a dreamy coastal reconnect came into full view. Newport may be known for its Gilded Age mansions but we felt like we walked into a cool yacht club, both elegant and unpretentious. We opted for a friendlier price tag and took the city (vs. water) view which, in the end, just encouraged us to explore more of the hotel - and use the extra cash for extra drinks! Our room was sleek, modern, with plenty of special touches: a live plant inside the shower, a large fireplace and Frette linens. After a refresh, we went downstairs to the stunning Oval Bar & Lounge which acts as centerpiece and social hub, setting the tone with warm woods and breezy glamour for a glass of champagne. Then we hit The Grill, where dockside dining delivers five-star flavor (happily devoid of steakhouse swagger) and a healthy side of yacht envy. In fact, you’ll spend a decent portion of the meal trying not to openly gawk at boats the size of your childhood home, but the food quickly stole the spotlight. We shared a delicious plate of housemade spinach cavatelli with burrata, black truffle, peas, and gremolata. And for mains, we went full surf-and-turf: a half lamb rack (him) and grilled jumbo head-on prawns (me) which we stole from one another’s plates more than shared. Secret Tip: There’s a hidden private table tucked-away in the trees where you can also dine privately, under the stars. The next day we went whale watching (boats depart just steps from the hotel), hoping to spot something even bigger than the yachts parked out front. Success! We sadly missed the hidden bocce court on the side of the property (nothing says vacation like competitive lawn games with a cocktail in hand), but that will be for next time. We will be back!

Docked in a prime harbor location, flanked by white yachts making their summer debut, Forty 1° North is a sleek and sophisticated boutique hot spot, offering an antidote to the more staid Gilded Age Newport scene. A design-forward coastal retreat, you come here to watch the sun set, with martini in hand and oysters on the way. Design: The vibe is polished yet relaxed. At first glance is an entrance sculpture made of hundreds of iridescent shells nestled between woven wood doors and front porch rockers. Inside, the lobby is a textured fever dream—wood, linen, glass, velvet—all wrapped in calming neutrals, with blue tiles and floor mosaics that shimmer in the natural light like beach glass. Sea breezes drift in through open floor-to-ceiling windows. And the soundtrack? Seagulls and vintage jazz. The Room: My niece and I took the stairs—preemptively burning calories before dinner—and felt like we were climbing aboard a luxury yacht (think slim wooden railings, metal fastenings, and a chandelier made of cascading shells). We booked the Grand Suite—a splurge, yes, but bigger than my NYC apartment and infinitely more glamorous. The balcony alone deserved its own zip code! We spent several minutes gawking at the marina and Narragansett Bay before mapping out the rest of the place: an open-concept dining and living room (fireplace included, obviously), a soaking tub deep enough to snorkel (hello Malin + Goetz products), and a second bedroom with its own fireplace for my niece, who unpacked while I soaked. I loved the thoughtful details everywhere: a live plant in the shower, ribbon-wrapped Forty 1° North pencils, smooth stones nestled in the fireplace. It all felt personal, like a friend with great taste had invited us to stay the weekend. Even if the Grand Suite is out of your budget, splurge for the water view—it’s a front-row seat to multimillion dollar yachts and sailboats as well as the best sunsets in town and well worth the upgrade. Otherwise, you can take advantage of really good rates on “city views” and spend your time in the property’s common areas: The Oval Bar & Lounge (fireside martinis, thank you very much), The Grill, a delicious indoor/outdoor steakhouse that skips the cigar-club energy, The Library, complete with a billiards table and seafaring books, And The Pavilion Bar, summer's unofficial headquarters for yacht-watching and Aperol spritzing. Dining:
We went full Gatsby at The Grill. Champagne? Veuve. Caviar? Petrossian. Steak? Wagyu. Lobster? Drenched in butter. Desserts? One of each, please. An unexpected highlight: a teetering tower of steakhouse-style onion rings, crisp enough to be heard across state lines. Quite possibly the best I’ve ever had. Oh, and the oysters… freshly-shucked, served with a mignonette made from crushed ice, champagne vinegar, and a few secret ingredients. Result: the mignonette melts as you slurp, chilling the oyster all the way down! We didn’t want the trip to be all indulgence so we took advantage of the courtyard Vinyasa yoga (free for guests and proof you did something active), before hopping on two old-school yellow Linus bikes to cruise nearby Thames Street, a nautically-themed stretch of shops selling everything your boat will need, even if you don’t own one. And if you’re ambitious (or caffeinated) take them - or a scooter rental - to the famed Cliff Walk, a Newport must. Our last night? Martinis in The Library while shooting pool, then kicking back fireside on a custom velvet banquette. All in all Forty 1° North delivered harbor glamor, mouthwatering food (each dish with main character energy) and sunsets so magic you’ll be thinking about them long into December.

Sitting at the bar at 41 North which is called the Grill at 41 North, I find the atmosphere decompressing for my whole being. The bar area juts out some from the land area with water and Yachats on three sides of you and a sea breeze caressing your body you can relax and enjoy the sights from your bar seat as you consume mass quantities of wonderful beverages.

My husband and I stayed for a night and had the best experience! From the moment we got there we felt like valued guests. The parking and arrival was easy and the personal note in our room was a great touch. The bed was really comfortable and the room was quiet which is not always the case at hotels. Bonus points for the little balcony and view of the water from our room! We had dinner at the restaurant and it was truly one of the best meals we've had - the calamari was perfection. We loved being able to sit outside by the water and enjoy the view. Our breakfast the next morning was equally delicious! We look forward to coming back again soon!