A spontaneous trip to America's smallest state reveals an unexpected blend of retro charm and modern comfort, where appearances can be deceiving and value lies in the details.
In my quest to visit all 50 states over the coming few years, one of the lowest-hanging fruit that I'm surprised I haven't been to yet is Rhode Island. Just a short 3-hour Amtrak ride up the Northeast Corridor from New York City, I found myself in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the union, for a quick one-night stay.
Nestled about 10 minutes north of Newport in Middletown, RI, The Pell is the eponymous hotel named after former Rhode Island Senator Claiborne Pell. It's about a 30-minute (~$30) Uber away from the Amtrak station in Kingston Rhode Island, or about 45-minutes from the Amtrak station in Providence, RI or about a 50-minute drive to Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD).
Upon arrival, the first thing I noticed that this hotel looked more like a motel than a hotel. Located immediately off a main road, with a 1970's style hotel sign, and an American flag flying out-front, I was surprised as it was not what I was expecting. But when I walked inside, the lobby was beautiful. When I checked in, around 12:00 PM, my room was already ready.
Behind the lobby, there's a quaint outdoor area lined with trees and a fence. This backyard had comfortable Adirondack & sectional seating, along with yard games including life-sized tic-tac-toe, and corn hole. I found it nice and relaxing to sit outside in the afternoon while doing some work.
The room was nice, renovated, and (mostly) clean. The room I booked was a One King Bed standard room, and it was located on the first floor, right across from the fitness center. The room itself was nothing to write home about. It was what you'd generally expect for a mid-tier hotel, though I've stayed in nicer Hyatt Category 3 hotels.
It featured two complimentary bottles of water, a coffee machine, a table where you could do work, ample outlets, and a King size bed. The bed was overly soft for my liking.
The bathroom was stocked with Jonathan Adler amenities. The shower was nice, however, when we first checked in, there was hair from the previous guest in the shower which was quite off putting.
I decided to book last-minute, I was looking for somewhere I could use my expiring Hyatt Category 1-4 free night certificate. After checking multiple times leading up to my target date, I saw no availability. Alas, the night before my stay, award availability opened up for a one-king bed room for $678/night, or just 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night. The Pell is a World of Hyatt category 3 property, which made this stay eligible to use my Category 1-4 certificate -- a pretty good value for the $95 annual fee I pay for my World of Hyatt card.
While The Pell may not be the pinnacle of luxury, it served its purpose as a convenient base for my brief Rhode Island getaway. The initial motel-like appearance was a bit misleading, with the interior offering a more polished experience. Despite a few hiccups like the unwelcome surprise in the shower and an overly soft bed, the hotel's charm lies in its outdoor space and newly renovated rooms. The real win here was maximizing my Hyatt Category 1-4 certificate, turning a $95 annual fee into a stay valued at $678. For those looking to check Rhode Island off their list or explore the Newport area without breaking the bank, The Pell offers a solid option. Just don't expect to be blown away – it's more about practicality than pizzazz. In the end, this quick trip allowed me to cross another state off my list and experience a slice of New England hospitality, even if it came with a side of initial skepticism.
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In my quest to visit all 50 states over the coming few years, one of the lowest-hanging fruit that I'm surprised I haven't been to yet is Rhode Island. Just a short 3-hour Amtrak ride up the Northeast Corridor from New York City, I found myself in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the union, for a quick one-night stay.
Nestled about 10 minutes north of Newport in Middletown, RI, The Pell is the eponymous hotel named after former Rhode Island Senator Claiborne Pell. It's about a 30-minute (~$30) Uber away from the Amtrak station in Kingston Rhode Island, or about 45-minutes from the Amtrak station in Providence, RI or about a 50-minute drive to Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD).
Upon arrival, the first thing I noticed that this hotel looked more like a motel than a hotel. Located immediately off a main road, with a 1970's style hotel sign, and an American flag flying out-front, I was surprised as it was not what I was expecting. But when I walked inside, the lobby was beautiful. When I checked in, around 12:00 PM, my room was already ready.
Behind the lobby, there's a quaint outdoor area lined with trees and a fence. This backyard had comfortable Adirondack & sectional seating, along with yard games including life-sized tic-tac-toe, and corn hole. I found it nice and relaxing to sit outside in the afternoon while doing some work.
The room was nice, renovated, and (mostly) clean. The room I booked was a One King Bed standard room, and it was located on the first floor, right across from the fitness center. The room itself was nothing to write home about. It was what you'd generally expect for a mid-tier hotel, though I've stayed in nicer Hyatt Category 3 hotels.
It featured two complimentary bottles of water, a coffee machine, a table where you could do work, ample outlets, and a King size bed. The bed was overly soft for my liking.
The bathroom was stocked with Jonathan Adler amenities. The shower was nice, however, when we first checked in, there was hair from the previous guest in the shower which was quite off putting.
I decided to book last-minute, I was looking for somewhere I could use my expiring Hyatt Category 1-4 free night certificate. After checking multiple times leading up to my target date, I saw no availability. Alas, the night before my stay, award availability opened up for a one-king bed room for $678/night, or just 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night. The Pell is a World of Hyatt category 3 property, which made this stay eligible to use my Category 1-4 certificate -- a pretty good value for the $95 annual fee I pay for my World of Hyatt card.
While The Pell may not be the pinnacle of luxury, it served its purpose as a convenient base for my brief Rhode Island getaway. The initial motel-like appearance was a bit misleading, with the interior offering a more polished experience. Despite a few hiccups like the unwelcome surprise in the shower and an overly soft bed, the hotel's charm lies in its outdoor space and newly renovated rooms. The real win here was maximizing my Hyatt Category 1-4 certificate, turning a $95 annual fee into a stay valued at $678. For those looking to check Rhode Island off their list or explore the Newport area without breaking the bank, The Pell offers a solid option. Just don't expect to be blown away – it's more about practicality than pizzazz. In the end, this quick trip allowed me to cross another state off my list and experience a slice of New England hospitality, even if it came with a side of initial skepticism.
