Wayfinder Newport – Newport, Rhode Island
Retro motel nostalgia, local creativity and coastal cool with a distinctly Rhode Island spirit.
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A playful reinvention of the classic American roadside motel, filled with more than 1,000 works by Rhode Island artists.
● Warm, contemporary interiors that combine mid-century nostalgia, coastal design and a strong connection to the local creative community.
● A lively social atmosphere where guests and locals naturally come together around the pool, restaurant and fireplace lounge.
A Fresh Take on Newport
Wayfinder Newport offers a refreshingly different side of one of New England’s most traditional destinations. Created by a collective of local chefs, artists, designers and entrepreneurs, the hotel leaves Newport’s grand Gilded Age mansions to others, instead celebrating the area’s contemporary creative culture through relaxed hospitality, thoughtful design and genuine local collaboration. Housed within a former chain hotel, it transforms familiar motel architecture into a stylish and approachable coastal retreat.
Rhode Island Creativity on Every Wall
Designed in collaboration with Reunion Goods & Services, the interiors embrace muted coastal colours, vintage furnishings and custom-made pieces inspired by the relaxed atmosphere of seaside New England. More than 1,000 artworks commissioned from Rhode Island artists turn the hotel into an ever-changing gallery, while locally crafted furniture, Shore Soap bath products, Matouk throws and regional snacks reinforce the hotel’s commitment to supporting its community. The result feels authentic rather than curated for effect.
Rooms with Beach House Ease
The 197 guestrooms pair generous layouts with an easy-going residential atmosphere. Wainscoting, soft coastal palettes, comfortable seating areas and thoughtful local details create rooms that feel more like contemporary beach houses than conventional hotel accommodation. While the building’s original motel structure remains visible in the straightforward layouts, the warm materials and artistic touches give every room its own personality.
A Place to Gather
The heart of Wayfinder is its vibrant social life. The 1970s-inspired fireplace lounge welcomes guests throughout the day, shifting effortlessly from coffee bar to evening wine spot, while the lively outdoor pool becomes Newport’s unofficial summer living room with its raw bar, rotating food trucks and relaxed atmosphere. Little Clam, led by chef Antonio Wormley, serves contemporary New England classics with confidence, making the restaurant a destination in its own right. Although Newport’s historic waterfront requires a short drive, Wayfinder offers something equally valuable: a genuine sense of community that captures the city’s creative future rather than simply celebrating its past.
