Newport’s world famous music festivals are beginning this week. First up is The Newport Music Festival that will run from July 4 thru July 22.  This the 50^th season for the festival which presents concerts in Newport’s Gilded Age mansions and various other visually and acoustically impressive locations. This year will have forty three concerts presented by artists from all over the world. (www.newportmusic.org)

The dates for the legendary Newport Folk Festival are July 27, 28, and 29. There are four stages of music at Fort Adams State Park where there are striking vistas of Narragansett Bay and the Newport Harbor. The festival will have over fifty acts by fifty six artists that include familiar, well known, and award winning performers. (www.newportfolk.org)

As popular as the Folk Festival is year after year, it may be surpassed by the renowned Newport Jazz Festival which will be held August 3,4 and 5, also at Ft. Adams State Park with its panoramic views of the water. For jazz aficionados, nothing compares with this festival, whose history “successfully made the case for jazz as a legitimate art form”.  All the greats of the genre have performed here and this year’s lineup will not disappoint. (www.newportjazzfest.org)

Occurring in the week between the two great festivals, July 30, 31 and August 1 and 2, is the Newport Bridgefest. Its beginning in 2009, by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Newport County, was to “bridge” the days between the Folk and Jazz Festivals and to celebrate the musical heritage of Newport. Taking place in and around Newport are concerts (both free and paid), films, educational programs, and plenty of other musical activities for all ages. Ft. Adams will host a free family concert for Bridgefest as well. (www.newportbridgefest.com)

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!

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.

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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 7^th 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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