Sonesta Select Newport Middletown

For local users searching the "Hotels Near Of Me" category in the Newport and Middletown, Rhode Island area, the Sonesta Select Newport Middletown, located at 9 Commerce Dr, Middletown, RI 02842, presents itself as a potential accommodation option. The hotel can be contacted directly at (401) 849-8000 or +1 401-849-8000 for reservations and inquiries. As part of the Sonesta Select brand, it generally aims to provide a comfortable and functional stay, though recent guest feedback indicates a mixed experience that prospective visitors should be aware of.

Environment: Location and Varied Perceptions of Upkeep

The Sonesta Select Newport Middletown is situated in the Newport Corporate Park, conveniently located along Route 114. This places it a short drive (approximately 2 miles) from the Newport Naval Station and roughly 3 miles from the heart of downtown Newport, including popular attractions like Thames Street and Cliff Walk. This strategic location offers a balance of accessibility to key destinations and a quieter setting away from the immediate bustle of the city center. It's also within easy reach of Newport State Airport (UUU), the Naval War College Museum, and Bowen's Wharf. The hotel was built in 1990 and underwent a renovation in 2024, aiming for a "modern, nautically-inspired" design. AAA reviews from 2024 describe it as a "casual hotel with contemporary rooms." The property includes a landscaped courtyard, with many guest rooms featuring balconies or patios facing this area. Guests have noted the presence of an outdoor fire pit/lounge area for relaxation. However, despite the recent renovation, some very recent reviews (from 2024) raise serious concerns about cleanliness, mentioning "mold everywhere," "brown water," and "mystery stains" on pullout beds. This stark contrast in cleanliness perception suggests an inconsistency in property maintenance that potential guests should consider. Other reviews describe the property as "well-kept," highlighting a disconnect in guest experiences.

Services: Customer Interaction and Service Inconsistencies

The service aspect at Sonesta Select Newport Middletown receives varied feedback. Some guests are "impressed with the property and staff," noting a positive atmosphere where staff members are genuinely cared for by management and appear to know their daily tasks, which "explains the atmosphere and well-kept nature of the place." This positive interaction can lead to a sense of welcoming hospitality. The hotel offers a daily breakfast, though it is not always complimentary and may come with a fee. There is also an on-site restaurant, The Commons, serving breakfast and dinner, and a coffee shop/cafe. A 24-hour market is available for snacks and drinks. However, other recent reviews paint a contrasting picture of staff interactions, particularly concerning groups. One review from a hockey team expressed significant dissatisfaction, citing "very rude" staff who "yelled at our hockey team consistently" for minor infractions like walking in the hallway. This review also mentioned a strict policy against bringing hockey sticks into the hotel and being disallowed the use of an empty conference room for a team pizza party, despite the hotel being "Sports Certified" and generally accommodating to sports groups. The hotel also provides a 24-hour front desk, a business center, and meeting facilities. Laundry facilities and dry cleaning services are available for guest convenience. For accessibility, the hotel strives to accommodate guests with disabilities, offering accessible public entrances, routes to various facilities, and accessible guest rooms with features like roll-in showers or tubs with grab bars.

Features: Amenities and Reported Deficiencies

The Sonesta Select Newport Middletown provides a range of amenities aimed at enhancing guest stays. Key features include a heated indoor pool and a seasonal outdoor pool, along with a hot tub. These facilities are often a deciding factor for guests and are generally accessible with convenient hours. A fitness center with cardio machines and weights is also available for guests to maintain their routines. The hotel offers 148 rooms and 10 suites, each designed to be contemporary and functional. Room amenities typically include plush linens, a desk with an ergonomic chair, a sofa bed, a coffee maker, and a flat-screen television with premium movie channels. Some rooms feature microwaves. The hotel is pet-friendly, welcoming well-mannered pets with no breed or weight restrictions, and allowing up to two pets per suite for a fee ($75 per stay), providing amenities like comfy pet beds, bowls, and treats. Free self-parking is available on-site, and free WiFi is provided in both rooms and public areas. However, several critical reviews from 2024 highlight significant issues with the functionality and cleanliness of hotel features. These include reports of brown water, non-working phones, limited towels (only one per person for room and pool per stay), and a fire alarm covered with a plastic bag, raising safety concerns. The presence of stained pullout beds and general uncleanliness in rooms is also mentioned. Despite the hotel's certification for sports groups, the inflexibility regarding team activities (like the pizza party or sticks) stands in contrast to the typical expectations for "Sports Certified Hotels" which often offer complimentary meeting space if available.

Promotional Information: Value Proposition and Booking Considerations

As a Sonesta property, the Sonesta Select Newport Middletown participates in the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program, allowing guests to earn points and enjoy benefits. While specific, fixed promotional offers are best confirmed directly with the hotel or via the Sonesta website, standard offerings like free WiFi and accessible amenities contribute to the value proposition. The hotel's pet-friendly policy is a significant draw for pet owners. The competitive pricing, with rates starting from approximately $83-$122 per night (though varying significantly by season and room type), makes it an affordable option compared to some downtown Newport hotels. It also offers "Book @ $0" for certain rates and free cancellation options. For sports teams, Sonesta's "Sports Certified Hotels" program usually includes benefits like complimentary meeting space (if available), special recognition for teams upon arrival, and pre-keyed/pre-blocked rooms. However, the negative experiences reported by a sports team at this specific location suggest that prospective groups should clarify specific policies and expectations directly with the hotel's sales office. Given the highly contrasting guest reviews, particularly concerning cleanliness and staff interactions for groups, it is strongly recommended that potential guests, especially those with specific needs or expectations (e.g., traveling with a sports team, or strict cleanliness requirements), contact the Sonesta Select Newport Middletown directly at (401) 849-8000. Inquiring about current conditions, availability of specific amenities, and policies (like those for sports teams or pet accommodations) is crucial before booking to ensure a satisfactory stay at this "Hotels Near Of Me" option in Middletown.