Historic Hotels & Inns on Block Island

The neighborhoods

Where to stay, by area

Old Harbor waterfront: Water Street & Dodge Street

Old Harbor became one of the country’s leading coastal resorts after the federal government built its granite breakwaters in the 1870s, and its historic district takes in everything within 2,000 feet of the Village Square, where Water, High and Spring Streets meet. The ferries from Point Judith land here, with the taxi stand and bike rental shops nearby. Two of the inns are on the waterfront: The National Hotel on Water Street, opposite the ferry landing, and The Blue Dory Inn on Dodge Street at the head of Crescent Beach, with direct beach access.

Spring Street & High Street

South of the landing, the 19th-century hotels and cottages took larger lots along Spring Street and High Street on the rise above the harbor. Five of the inns are here: The Spring House Hotel; Hotel Manisses, set back from the shore between the Spring House and the landing; The 1661 Inn and the Eureka Hotel, both part of The 1661 Resort; and The Atlantic Inn, on six acres on the hill. The walk up from the ferry includes uphill stretches, which the Atlantic warns can be hard with luggage.

Before you book

Planning your stay

Getting there

The Block Island Ferry runs year-round from Point Judith in Narragansett: the traditional ferry takes 55 minutes and carries cars by phone reservation ($12.30 adult and $39.60 for a standard car, one way), and the seasonal high-speed takes 30 minutes. In summer, boats also sail from Newport (about an hour), New London and Montauk, and New England Airlines flies from Westerly in 12 minutes, daily and year-round. Point Judith is about 45 minutes from T.F. Green airport (PVD) and 20 from Kingston’s Amtrak station; on the island, taxis meet the boats and bikes, mopeds and small cars are for rent.

Parking

The ferry company owns no parking at Point Judith: the independent lots on Great Island Road charge $10–$20 a day depending on the season and fill quickly in summer. For the Newport boat, the public garage by the Newport Marriott is $5 an hour up to $40 a day. On the island, The 1661 Inn and The Atlantic Inn have free on-site parking if you bring a car.

When to go

Summer is the season: almost every business opens daily from June through August, and July and August are busiest. The big hotels are seasonal: the Spring House main building opens mid-May to mid-October and most of the others close around Columbus Day, while The 1661 Inn stays open year-round. Off-season only the Point Judith ferry runs and rough seas can cancel sailings, so keep shoulder-season dates flexible.

Accessibility

The traditional ferries take wheelchairs on the lower deck and offer early boarding, and the M/V Block Island has a wheelchair lift on some sailings; call ahead and arrive 45–60 minutes early. The hotels are 19th-century buildings: The Atlantic Inn has no elevator and sits up a hill from the ferry, so ask each inn about ground-floor rooms.

Before you book

Expect 2-night minimums in season: The Blue Dory Inn requires 2 nights from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend and 3 on holiday weekends, and The Atlantic Inn says 2 may apply in peak season. The Spring House requires guests to be 21 to reserve and check in, takes full prepayment and refunds cancellations more than 14 days out less $75. Hotel Manisses keeps deposits as a credit, not a refund, when ferry cancellations cost you a stay, and car space on the traditional ferry must be booked by phone.