Crow's Nest Newport - Lodge in Newport - 18 Market Square, USA

This truly is a hidden gem of a bargain, as others have said. The location is ideal, the staff is friendly, the rooms clean, the beds comfortable. They offer maritime types a discount, but all are welcome to fill the rooms and provide income for their causes. Visitors are told repeatedly that 1.) no alcohol is permitted on the premises, and 2.) no non-registered guests may come into the rooms. Far more useful information would be the following: 1.) there is no soap of any kind anywhere in the shared bathrooms, just a box full of random things past travelers have left behind, and 2.) the bathrooms may run out of toilet paper, as they did on September 10. We're talking those big industrial size rolls you might see in an airport restroom, that hold two enormous rolls. Completely empty, obviously not looked after often enough. So if you are resourceful enough to prepare for every eventuality you will have a great experience here. Oh, the only downside of being so ideally located on Bowen's Wharf is that you will hear music from the numerous bars and restaurants until late at night.

There’s really two parts to the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), the institutional part on the main and second floors and the aptly named third floor Crow’s Nest residences. The mission of the Institute is to provide “....a safe haven for whose who work, live, and play on or by the sea.” This they do by providing a wonderful sanctuary to those that need overnight lodgings or those that just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Newport for an hour or two.||||The first floor has a reception desk for those booking rooms in the third floor Crow’s Nest, a small café that mainly serves fresh tea, coffee, and some sandwiches, the Mariner’s Lounge (a large dining/commons room), and an outside private patio with a few tables. The basement has immaculately kept bathrooms complete with showers and a separate laundry room.||||For the tourist, the second floor is the main interest for here you’ll find the Henry H. Anderson, Jr. Library dedicated to all things nautical, the small Chapel of the Sea, a place for quiet prayer or reflection featuring murals that portray Christian saints associated with the sea, and an exhibition room which during this most recent visit was closed. On a previous trip there was an exhibition of Japanese prints form the Sino-Japanese war (1894-5) and WWII aircraft and naval vessels on loan from the nearby U.S. Naval War College. For the Newport visitor who is looking for an entirely different experience, even a quick walk through the Chapel and Library is highly recommended.||||On to the Crow's Nest. I had asked for a single bed and was given a delightful room with two southern facing windows overlooking Bowen’s and Bannister’s wharves and one western facing window. The room was immaculate. The bed was extremely comfortable. There is a common bathroom for the Crow’s Nest residents. This can be problematic, particularly in the morning. But again note that the basement has separate men’s and women’s bathrooms. The staff is tremendously helpful and pleasant.||||The SCI has no dedicated parking. If you’re planning on just parking and not using your car at all, then the private lot just across from the entrance might be a good choice. Otherwise use the hourly public lot about 3 blocks north. Also, although there is an elevator, the building, being old, is not necessarily the most handicapped friendly as both the Crow's Nest halls and rooms are a bit narrow.||||For the Newport visitor who wants to have a convenient location from which to explore downtown Newport, and is budget priced without sacrificing quality, the Crow's Nest at the SCI is an excellent choice. My room plus 24 hours of parking at the public lot cost about $135.

The Crow's Nest is the best kept secret in Newport. The location couldn't be better - right next to the Bowen's Wharf and all the yummy restaurants, pubs, shops and yachts that make Newport so charming. The staff at the Crow's Nest are always ready to help and make you feel at home. The rooms are clean and comfortable with great views of the wharf. In the morning, check out the Aloha Cafe, which is the next best kept secret in Newport. Delicious breakfast and lunch offerings with seating in a beautiful dining room or garden patio. Both the Crow's Nest and Aloha Cafe are very reasonably priced. You'll save $100s compared to the other comparable B&Bs in Newport and the food is half the price of other restaurants in town.

Crow's Nest is on Bowen's Wharf right by the water. They have less than 10 rooms; I booked the largest one (queen sized bed) and the only one that overlooks the water (Room 9). When we came in December 2015, the rate was $89 a night ($300 with taxes for three nights). ||||Our goal for this stay was to balance affordable with nice, close to Newport, and waterfront. I considered various establishments in Middletown for ~$60/night and in Newport (some waterfront and others not) for $100 - $250/night. It was hard to find an affordable room in Newport, much less by the water. So of course I was very pleased when I came across Crow's Nest in my third or so day of research -- it's sort of a secret!||||We enjoyed:||- The good value/price (even considering off-season) for the waterfront, central location.||- The other reviews are right - very very clean. We did not AT ALL mind the dorm-like setting (two hallway bathrooms for the ten rooms) for this reason.||- Very quiet. In fact, we only saw another guest once. ^ The bathroom felt like our own.||- Nice bedspread and quaint room.||- Voucher for free coffee at the Aloha Cafe downstairs (another great secret, by the way).||||Other comments:||- The room didn't exactly OVERLOOK the water ... you could kind of see it from the window.||- Might be a little creepy at night if you're alone.||||The Crow's Nest is on the third floor of the Seamen's Church Institute, an organization that serves men and women at sea / their family members in need. Income from Crow's Nest (lodging) goes towards their mission, which we thought was so cool. There's a library and a chapel in the building and free laundry services downstairs for the community. Very neat.||||Mary the Lodging Director is so kind and so helpful. She even stood in one of the parking spots that freed up in front of the building for us (by the way, parking in the off-season, and especially staying on Bowen's Wharf with a parking lot, was so easy - and free!)

Scrupulously clean. Soothing blue & white decor. Ten rooms share 2 baths on 3rd floor (with elevator and great ADA access). The rooms and Aloha Cafe provided an income stream for Seaman's Church Institute, a non-profit orgnaization's that lserves seamen and the community in need. Rooms & cafe are high quality and underpriced. I appreciated their mission. Tips: don't let this discourage you, but bring ear plugs, as it's located in the heart of Bowden Wharf -- many special events all season, and music from bars echoes, yet the music stops @ 10-ish or so. Also, the office closes @ 4 pm or so, so don't delay check-in; lock box arrangements can be made. Plusses: laundormat available. You'll have your exterior key to come and go after the office closes. Lots of history, tons of books on sailing, close to transoportaition and Visitors' Center.

Small room with Twin Bed idea for single guests or someone just needing a place to crash. No A/C so we had to leave the window open to keep the room cool. Fine if you don't mind some noise. As this was a holiday weekend, there were sounds of people out and about until fairly late. Room was clean as were both of the shared (between 10 rooms) bathrooms.

This is not fine dining but it is service with a smile and tasty fresh food. You can't beat the location whether you are on a boat or walking in the inner harbor. We had breakfast there a couple of times and thick, delicious sandwiches for lunch as well. There are outdoor tables through the back and a nice large room to check you email!

This is a hidden (and humble) gem right on the harbor. The building is stunning. Expect to be able to unwind and relax with no television. Internet worked well. Shared bathrooms are generous and clean. Read the parking signs thoroughly as we got hit with a $25 parking fine.