The Ivy Lodge

Newport Romantic Inn 401-849-6865

Celebrities Who Live in Newport

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One of the most exciting aspects of visiting Newport is the chance of running into a favorite celebrity. Many A-listers make their homes here in Newport, which is a testament to the opulence and amenities of our island city. Those planning a trip to this corner of Rhode Island should keep their eyes peeled for these local celebs. 

Jay Leno 

Legendary funnyman and long-time Tonight Show host Jay Leno purchased an oceanfront estate here with his wife Maria at the end of 2017 for $13.5 million. An Andover MA native, Leno opted for a French chateau with a six-car garage that can easily accommodate his extensive collection of classic autos. In fact, Newport is an inspired choice for the former talk show host since it is home to the Audrain Auto Museum, where Leno has frequently been spotted. The crescent-shaped property is known as Seafair and was originally designed for the vice president of Chase Manhattan Bank in the 1930s. It has 12 bedrooms and almost 16,000 square feet of living space. 

Taylor Swift 

The chart-topping pop singer often summers in Newport, where she purchased an 11,000-square-foot mansion in 2013. Since then, the property, which was built in the 1920s and has a private beachfront, has been the site of many star-studded celebrations. Swift’s home sits on the apex of Watch Hill and offers stunning bay views. The estate, known as High Watch, cost the singer $17.75 million. It is surrounded by more than five acres and features eight bedrooms and an outdoor pool and hot tub. 

For all the luxury of a classic Newport vacation, consider a stay at the Ivy Lodge. Our romantic inn combines unique Victorian architecture with modern features and inviting guest rooms. Enjoy homemade meals in the breathtaking dining room or have a leisurely breakfast on our wrap-around porch. We specialize in getaway packages featuring complimentary electric bikes to explore quaint downtown Newport. Call us at 401-849-6865 to make a reservation.

Bed and Breakfast Etiquette Guide for First-time Visitors

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Most people know what to expect when staying in a hotel: they’ll check in, stay in for the evening or hit the town, then leave the next morning, ending their brief stay with little contact with the hotel staff and other guests. But bed and breakfasts work a little differently, and most first-timers aren’t sure what to expect or how they should behave. Guests can brush up on their B&B etiquette by remembering these key points. 

Communication Is Key 

The host is typically the person who owns the home, and these people are very busy balancing the many duties that come with running an inn. Guests will make the host’s job much easier by communicating important information when making the reservation, including dietary restrictions, food allergies, or special requests, such as handicap-accessible rooms. Hosts are usually willing and happy to accommodate most requests when notified in advance. 

Guests traveling to a B&B with children or pets should also notify the hosts in advance. It’s also a great idea to let them know about any special celebrations, like a birthday or anniversary, as sometimes they may provide complimentary upgrades or gifts. Finally, visitors should always abide by the stated check-in times; most hosts expect all guests to arrive during those hours. Of course, they understand travel delays, so it’s polite to notify them if anything changes. 

Respect the Space 

Often, bed and breakfasts double as the hosts’ private residence, so guests should treat the space as though it is theirs. This means knocking when arriving and asking permission to use items in common areas. If anything happens in the room—breaking or spilling something—guests should let the host know. They’ve dealt with this many times before, so they won’t make a fuss out of it! 

It’s also important to be gracious in the hosts’ home by giving them as much respect as possible. While they are providing a service, hosts are not servants and should never be treated as such. Complimenting them on breakfast (which is optional, by the way, as they will encourage you to explore local restaurants and businesses) or on the decor in the rooms goes a long way to earning their respect. 

Get to Know Other People 

It’s certainly not a requirement to spend time in the common areas of the inn or to mingle in the evening. After all, this is the guests’ vacation! But, chatting with the other guests over breakfast or spending a few minutes getting to know the staff can be highly enjoyable. There’s always something to learn from fellow travelers, and guests can glean valuable insider knowledge of the area from those who know it best. 

Whether you’re looking to book your first stay at a bed and breakfast or are a seasoned B&B traveler, Ivy Lodge can provide you with an unforgettable, friendly experience in our nation’s City by the Sea—Newport, RI. Check out our getaway packages, and then call us at 401-849-6865 to book your reservation today!

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Newport is proud to host- for the second time- the only US stop over of the Volvo Ocean Race. A city known for sailing and competitive racing, Newport, will transform Fort Adams State Park into a remarkable race village.  Opening ceremonies are May 8 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Arrivals from Brazil will stream into Newport over the next few days.

There will be plenty of events for both young and old at the race village. The kids can explore racing with hand on events. There will also be racing right off the shoreline. Pro-AM racing is May 15. In port racing is May 16.​​

The “leg start” is May 17 and is the highlight of the event. The leg start begins with the dock-out ceremony, continue with in port racing, and end as the fleet exits the bay for the next stop- Lisbon.

If you haven’t made plans yet there is still time. And if you are staying overnight, go to www.ivylodge.com for some great accommodations.

Go to www.volvooceanracenewport.com for a complete event calendar.

https://ivylodge.com/2018/04/30/911/

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The season of mouth-watering food and drink events in Newport is underway. While the beauty of over 850,000 daffodils blooming for Spring may occupy center stage, do not overlook the 7th Annual Newport Craft Beer Festival scheduled for Friday, April 27 through Saturday, April 28.  Supporting the Rhode Island Brewers Guild, the Festival will feature crafted brews from “some of the nation’s top brewers” as well as brews from local favorites like Newport Storm Brewery and Pour Judgement.

The Friday evening VIB Session (Very Important Beers event) is already sold out! That evening’s sampling and tasting will offer beers from festival brewers not available on Saturday.  Saturday’s sessions (2) will have more than enough to sample and enjoy. Session 1 runs from 12:00 – 3:00p.m. and Session 2 from 4:00 – 7:00p.m.  They will take place under a sprawling tent on the lawn of the Great Friend’s Meeting House (on Farewell Street).Taste testing guests will have the opportunity to sample craft breweries from all over the country along with local favorites of course. Each brewery will have well informed staff that can provide the knowledge of the makeup of specific beers.

Adding to local flavoring will be samplings from some of Newport’s best restaurants and their best plates. Local (New England, Rhode Island, Newport) brews and flavors will be experienced with live music at all the sessions. Admission includes unlimited beer samples. This is a21+ event. While in Newport stay at the Ivy Lodge. Visit us at ​​ivylodge.com 

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Four Fun Activities for a Rainy Newport Day

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The charm of Newport makes it a city that’s easy to love, rain or shine. Here are four of our favorite ways to pass the time here when the weather is less than ideal.

Thames Glass
This boutique features the gorgeous handmade glass creations of artist Matthew Buechner. Thames Glass was founded in 1981 and sells everything from vases and bowls to paperweights, ornaments, and animal statuettes. Visitors can watch live glassblowing demonstrations by the skilled team of creators and even take a class where they can make their own vase, paperweight, or ornament. Hours are subject to change, so check the website before heading to the studio.

Ryan Amusements
The whole family can enjoy a classic arcade experience at Ryan Amusements, featuring two floors of fun and more than 50 arcade and skills games. This locally owned and operated business has been in the amusement industry since the mid-1980s. They also offer special coupons and discounts so that visitors to Newport can have fun on a budget when the kids are bored and the weather’s bad.

Audrain Automobile Museum
Stroll through this curated collection that draws from more than 160 rare and notable automobiles, with fully restored vehicles dating to the earliest days of the car alongside their modern marvels. Several dozen cars are displayed at once on a rotating basis, so fans of this museum have a new experience with every visit. The museum notes that it’s as much an art museum as an automobile museum, celebrating the design inherent in this revolutionary industry.

Newport Storm Brewery
This iconic Newport institution has brewed more than 100 unique beers since it was founded in 1999. When the rain’s coming down, spend a day in the tasting room to enjoy the latest creations they have on tap. Those who prefer spirits can also enjoy their locally distilled rum and whiskey. Every tasting flight comes with a souvenir pint glass, and visitors can take a guided or private tour of the facilities. Check their calendar for special events, such as the recent beer and Girl Scout cookie pairing.

Looking for a place to stay for a classic Newport getaway? Visit Ivy Lodge. Our romantic bed and breakfast features elegant Victorian appointments in each room along with all the amenities expected from a modern hotel. Make your reservations today and experience our legendary Newport hospitality.