Brenton Hotel Review
The American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program gives you several elite perks. To book hotels through the FHR program you need to have The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, or the Centurion card. Normally booking hotels through FHR will cost a little more, but the extra perks make up for it.
Additionally, you get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings when you pay with your Platinum Card. You need to book a minimum of 1 night for Fine Hotels + Resorts and 2 nights for The Hotel Collection. So FHR is the best option.
However, one main issue when looking to use that $200 credit is that most FHR hotels are quite expensive. Las Vegas is one of the best locations where you can find properties for less than $200 a night. I’ve been looking for properties in the East Coast, and possibly within driving distance of NYC, priced at less than $300.
I came across the Brenton Hotel in Newport, RI when I was looking to use the $200 credit before the end of 2022. It’s a 3-hour drive from NYC. I booked it on December 27 for a one-night stay January 1-2. Check out my Brenton Hotel Review below, with some information about the hotel, the area, and how to book it.
Booking through FHR
As I mentioned above, I booked this property through Fine Hotels + Resorts, using The Platinum Card® from American Express. That certainly affects this Brenton Hotel review, as it makes the stay and dining on the property more affordable.
The price for a one-night stay January 1-2 was $279 (plus tax) for the City View One King Bed for two people. I could have saved about $30-40 if I booked from an online travel agency such as Expedia, but I wouldn’t get the FHR perks which I would value much more than that.
Subtracting the $200 hotel credit from the Amex Platinum card, I ended up paying about $100 for the stay. But we got the FHR perks that make this stay very affordable:
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 experience credit
- Guaranteed 4pm check-out
- 12pm check-in, when available
- Room upgrade, when available
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
It’s worth mentioning that you can only find prices under $300 during low season, mostly January through March. During the summer a one-night stay will cost more than $500. The hotel also has on-site valet-parking which is complimentary between November through May. During peak season it costs $50.
Hotel and Location
The Brenton Hotel opened in July of 2020. This a luxury boutique property that sits directly on Newport’s waterfront. The hotel has a total of 57 rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows that also extend throughout the Brenton’s public spaces. There’s also a rooftop bar that should be great in summer time.
Just across the street from the hotel there’s a shopping area with lots of small shops. Then if you walk down America’s Cup Ave and Thames St, you’ll find many restaurants, bars and more small shops. We went in early January, so some restaurants and shops were closed, and there were no crowds at all. But I have been in Newport, RI during the summer in the past, and it’s completely different. All those waterfront bars and restaurants are packed.
You’ll also find several museums within walking distance, The Cliff Walk, several fancy mansions that you can visit for a fee, Goat Island Lighthouse by walking over a short bridge, and if you are driving you can enjoy the ride on Ocean Drive.
The hotel is about a 40 minute drive from Providence Airport (PVD). Public transportation is available from Providence to Newport.
Check-In
We arrived at the hotel around 2PM. We entered the parking lot through America’s Cup Ave and were greeted by the valet. He offered to help with out bags, but we only has a few personal items, that were easy to carry.
From the parking lot, or from the street, you enter into the first floor area pictured above, where there are some sofas, seats and then stairs up to the second floor where you can check in.
When you go to the second floor, you’re in the Living Room, which is where dinner and breakfast is served. There’s also a bar, and to the right of the bar is the check-in desk. The check-in process was quick and easy and we were informed out the FHR benefits. Just minutes after settling in our room, we received a welcome amenity of a few pieces of fruit and chocolates.
Room
The room was very clean and it did look like a new hotel. Once you open the door there’s a short entryway where you see the bathroom on the left hand side, and then you walk into the room.
The bathroom has an overhead shower, a separate toilet area, and a large mirror and sink with enough space.
The bed was comfortable, with big soft pillows and reading lights and charges on both sides. Our room had the city-view with the floor-to-ceiling windows and a French balcony. There’s a large L-shaped couch by the window with a small table and a chair. The TV is on the wall to the right of the bed which is not an ideal location. It had Chromecast which comes in handy.
The room has an espresso machine, which is always a nice touch. There’s also a mini-bar with liquors, wine, and beers available for purchase. But you also have juices and sodas for free. Additionally, there are two large bottles in the room that you can use for sparkling and still water from machines in the Pantry are. There’s one in each floor. There you also can get ice and and complimentary ice-cream.
Dining
We had dinner and breakfast at the hotel, using our FHR benefits. Both are served in the appropriately named Living Room, which is very spacious with different seating options.
Dinner is available daily 4:00pm – 10:00pm. We ate around 8pm and there were about six parties seated in the Living Room and at the Bar at LR.
We had Mozzarella Arancini, Grilled Octopus, Lobster Roll, and Truffle Fries. Plus a few beers. You can see the dinner menu and prices here. The total was about $145 including tip. Everything was very good, and the service was excellent as well.
Breakfast is served daily 7:00am – 10:30am. We had the Brown Sugar Sinnamon Oatmeal and Narragansett Creamery Parfait, plus coffees and orange juice. The total was about $45 with tip, as it was served restaurant style the same as dinner. It was all covered by FHR’s free breakfast benefit.
Brenton Hotel Review: Guru’s Wrap-up
Overall I think this was a very good use of the $200 FHR credit from my Amex Platinum Card. I would probably visit again if I can find somewhat affordable rates in early Spring.
The hotel is in a good location if you’re planning to visit Newport. The property is new, staff is great, rooms are clean, food is good, and the hotel overall is well designed and furnished. It gives you that boutique-hotel feeling.
The Brenton Hotel provides courtesy bikes and pet-friendly room accommodations at no additional fee. During the summer they also offer outdoor activities and tours, which are complimentary for guests.
One downside is the lack of a fitness center. They can deliver Peloton bikes to your room if you really need to get a workout, but that comes with a fee.
Let me know if you have visited this hotel, or if you plan to visit. Also comment with any suggestions for those visiting Newport, RI.