Service - 10+ stars for Leo Food - 5 stars Martinis - 4 stars Far niente wine - 5 stars Ambiance - 5 stars We had a FABULOUS experience here and Leo made our anniversary extra special here. The chicken and lamb entrees were delicious and the sticky toffee pudding excellent. This definitely a place to come and have a special dinner. read more

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Pros: We dined at the Vanderbilt bar twice and the food was pretty good, so it's worth stopping here for dinner. The place obviously is historic and the dark decor makes it feel kinda spooky, so nice to stop in the lounge for a cozy, spooky vibe. A couple of the largest (priciest) rooms are located on the bottom floor, which may provide more space and perhaps more light. I will also say that the bed was not sagging or uncomfortable, so that's good. The rooftop view is nice too. The staff was pleasant. Con's: The Vanderbilt is dark, old, musty, and way overpriced. Staged in their old "downtown mansion" the rooms/suites are so freaking tight that they don't have space for furniture with drawers or bathroom vanities (actually, barely room to turn in the loft bathroom). So you have little space to store your stuff. The suite with the loft is a death trap: God forbid there's a fire, bc all the smoke would go up to the eaves (where the bed is tucked), above the twisting wood stairs with virtually no light. Seriously, there's one tiny window in this room and it's outfitted in dark colors. Kinda drab feel for a hotel room. I plopped on the couch and was shocked with a thud, as the room furniture is hard and uncomfortable. The carpet, walls, and (fabric) bed are a handsome dark blue (which highlights gross and suspicious light-colored stains). Like other Auberge properties, the shower tiles and grout are very dark (I assume to hide mold, yuck). I'm glad I didn't notice the silverfish chillin' above the bed until I was packing up to leave. Few other negatives include dingy pool/spa area and safe didn't work. The Vanderbilt has a few activity offerings, but the Tarot card reading was all that I noticed available at the time (I'll skip the sorcery). The location is a block or so from the wharf and all the tourist shops. But, we spent our days on the lawn at Castle Hill (where we should have stayed). Essentially, if you have the money to stay at this hotel, you have the money to stay somewhere better. read more

Most wonderful dinner I've had in years. Food was absolutely delicious. The service was top-notch. Our waiter was new (breakfast, first week doing dinner), and he was incredibly friendly, personable, and very attentive. I cannot emphasize how great the staff was... If I ever come back to Newport, I will be sure to come here again. 10/10 read more

The Vanderbilt - Exterior - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Excellent afternoon tea. The sandwiches and scones were delicious classics (no weird additions to the raisin scones). The only thing missing was a pastry selection. Instead they served cookies versus cakes. However, the conservatory truly made this experience special. I'd sit in this gorgeous room all day long enjoying the sunshine and calming decor. For afternoon tea in America, this is excellent. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the tea selection is decent, though a little out there, but there were a few traditional styles on the menu. read more

The Vanderbilt - Tea tower - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Beautiful hotel lobby and seating in the library. Our retreat group had our welcome dinner here in the private room off the library and it was an amazing night. We were served cocktails and wine, as well as a champagne toast. The three-course dinner couldn't have been more delicious. Caprese Salad, Pan-Roasted Chicken, and Sticky Toffee Pudding :-) The staff was very professional and polite. read more

We went to the Vanderbilt for our anniversary and it was a simply elegant experience. The property is gorgeous. If you are only there for dinner, parking may be off-site as it caters to the guests of the hotel. The bar/dining room was very dark and cool and was such a great space. We sat at the bar prior to being seated for dinner and the cocktails were fantastic. Our table was waiting and our server was fantastic. He made great reccomendations for appetizers and mains. The fish dish I had was marvelous and layered with many flavors. It was a really initmate atmosphere. We were given a dessert to help us celebrate our anniversary. Give it a try as it won't dissapoint. read more

The Vanderbilt - Anniversary dessert - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

We had a great dinner. Our server Kiara was amazing, attentive and professional. The food was amazing. Pasta with lobster, lamb, catch of the day. Fresh oysters and clams. We will be back. read more

The staff was very welcoming and attentive from the second we walked in the door! We felt very welcomed. The front desk staff was able to help me book spa services prior to our check in. We did the tailored 60min massage and Milk&Honey treatment. We felt amazing after! We headed to the indoor pool and sauna to relax together after our treatments. The spa also provided a nice private area for you to grab a glass of wine and treat with your partner. The concierge provided a great list of hotel offerings and off property things to do! It is also in a great location to walk to restaurants and shopping areas. I will definitely recommend to friends and family!! read more

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Only went to the rooftop bar- Amazing view of the sunset! Good drinks and appetizers were ample portion.

We had a lovely experience visiting this hotel's rooftop bar during our visit to Newport. It was GF's birthday and so we were trying to do special shit. She made a reservation at this place for 8pm about an hour before and we were promptly called and informed that due to wind, they would be closing the rooftop down at 8 but if we wanted to come before, there were plenty of tables available. After some confusion at the host desk, everything was clarified and we were on our way up to the roof. The only negative part about our experience is there was nobody to greet us up there and we stood standing there for about 5 minutes. Initially I didn't want to just walk around the rooftop looking for someone to seat us but the length of time we were standing there awkwardly got to be ridiculous so I started considering it when one of the staff came over to seat us. I can see why they wanted to close the place early because it was windy AF. The staff told us that glasses had been flying everywhere and recommended we hold them. This place is not on the water but due to its elevation, you can clearly see beautiful views of the harbor and if you time it right, the sunset. I also approved of the music choice. Probably because of the excessive wind and early closure, they were only offering wine, beer, and frozen cocktails. I ordered one of their frozen cocktails which was very strong, unlike your typical frozen bullshit cocktail. It was also extremely thick and difficult to drink without a straw. I asked for one but the thing was literally so thick it was difficult to pull it up through the straw. I would probably go with something else next time. GF ordered a glass of wine which, due to vigilance, remained on the table for the duration of our stay. We were a bit hungry (when are we not?) so we ordered their soft pretzel. This bad boy is a proper LARGE pretzel served properly hanging on one of those things and with TWO dipping sauces which include a grainy and delicious mustard as well as a pimento cheese dip that was DELICIOUS and honestly I could eat that shit with a spoon. The staff were also on top of their shit and took very good care of us. This is a really wonderful spot despite the weather difficulties and definitely worth a visit. read more

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This review is for the rooftop at the Vanderbilt. We had such an amazing experience! It was the 8 of us and we sat all the way on the top so had an amazing view. The frose was so refreshing and much needed since it was a hot day. They don't have any umbrellas so no shade. Service was fast. Our waitress was very sweet and accommodating when we wanted to make changes to our order. They also had a DJ come towards the end which was a nice touch. Great vibe, great food, and a great view! read more

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This is already a popular and cool bar stop. And it will soon be at the top of the fine dining spots for locals and tourists, possibly rivaling Bouchard's. We made our first visit at this recently restored 1909 hotel - superbly done - on Xmas Eve. Great time although we had to request another table as seated next to the windows in the garden room is quite drafty. So let's start with the positives - valet parking so you are not driving around for the rare street spot; great trained staff; and the dining room with the bar and the fireplace is cozy. Note that it is quite loud. We were taking advantage of Newport Restaurant Week's prix fixe offer of 3 course for $60 (in essence a free dessert when looking at the regular menu). First, their cocktail prices beat NYC's!! Most were $16 - $20 and their signature martini ("made at your table") is $28. Really? We opted for a glass of wine and one of us had the 3-wine pairing (more on that...). What was most disappointing was the service. We like a leisurely meal but almost 2.5 hours? And that was after we had the host find our waiter to get a check. The waiter was swell but either they planned poorly to have enough staff (the room was packed on a Thursday night) or they are facing not having enough staff. This gent had too many tables. Appetizers were an English pea soup - fine - and a burrata with grilled squash. Both pretty dishes. The burrata was unlike any of I've ever had. It was one firm ball with no creamy "insides". The entrees were skate heavily buttered (maybe overly so) and a lamb dish with root stock. The latter was particularly good BUT OMG - the wine pairings. All three wines were good but I don't know if the sommelier screwed up or the waiter messed it up. Because of the variety of the available dishes - there is no way that there were 3 exact glasses for any diner. So with my lamb, it was paired with a nice French chard to "match the root stock". It did not work; any red would have worked. The dessert was a nicely done mini chocolate volcano. The wine was a very chilled (yes!) Riesling that sort of worked. Matching a wine with chocolate is a tough task. Damages with tip for 2 was $205. Disappointed in the slow service, burrata, and a terrible wine pairing. I'm sure we'll be back but certainly not on our "must return regularly" list. read more

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Fancy lunch at a fancy hotel. 15 year old and I had lunch at the Gwynn at the Vanderbilt. The interior of the hotel is very old world, without being stuffy. I was a little disappointed that the room where lunch was served was very sparse. It was almost like a sun porch and did not feel special at all. We had the option of dining outdoors but but since it was a little steamy outside, we remained at indoors. The menu was extremely limited. With only nine items on it, I would definitely check the menu before you go to make sure there is some you would eat. We shared several items:: Long Island Clam Chowder - I liked that this chowder was a broth instead of a cream based soup but it had way too many potatoes. It was more like potato chowder. Smoked Salmon - So simple but so good. The salmon was high quality and we loved the accompaniments of Creme fraiche, duck fat potato's, and the candied coriander (which was so different!!) Lobster Roll - Very good lobster roll. It beat the lobster rolls we had at the lobster shack in town. Burger - another simple item that was truly elevated here and tasted delicious. Service was very polite a d efficient. Would return for dinner to taste an expanded menu if it was served in another room. read more

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Ambiance: excellent environment Food: just did apps and a happy hour, oysters were simply excellent. Drinks: cocktails were unique and delicious Service: could have been more attentive but were friendly and made good conversation Noise: ideal level Recommendation: we went for a happy hour with drinks and apps... quality all around... have been in the past other times would recommend Price: worth the quality read more

The Vanderbilt - Cocktails - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Class. Class. Class. The property is downright gorgeous and this place exudes sophistication. I had Christmas Eve dinner here, and their beef roast was off the charts delicious. The roasted veg and accompany gravy and horseradish sauce were perfect compliments. The cut of beef was so tender, I didn't even need a sharp knife, and it was seasoned to perfection. They also had a foie terrine for an appetizer that was expertly made - I felt as if I was in a bistro in Paris. I've also had their meat pie, while sitting at the (beautiful) bar, and that was amazing as well. The Paper Tiger is one of my favorite drinks in New England, and they carry Broc Cellars wine a lot of the time, so I always drink well too. read more

So cute & fun. We ate in the conservatory. Enjoyed brunch & my Mocktail at the hotel. Very cozy. read more

The Vanderbilt - Eggs duck fat potato & eggs with bacon & toast. - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

Have been a patron of the hotel and it's various iterations for years. The place is beautiful and love the decor so much that I actually have a chandelier from its previous iteration hanging in my home. We went back after a long hiatus out of state for a casual date night at the bar. We were offered a menu and so we began with their simple salad and an order of samosas. Would have enjoyed bread and butter to begin the meal but oddly, the restaurant was asking $15 for rolls and butter; as a separate menu item, a bit offputting for a fine dining establishment. The salad was nonetheless a winner with poached pears, walnuts, a hint of blue cheese, and a light mustard vinaigrette. So fresh. The samosas were snack bites rather than one piece of the usual size and those went over well also. Then we noticed that another guest was offered a restaurant week menu; we had not been offered one. Restaurant Week menus usually offer a three course set menu and we were interested in exploring all of our options. Unfortunately, we had already had our first course before the alternative menu was finally offered. Since as it happened, one of us had a first course offered on the set menu and the other had a first course of lesser value than what was being offered on the set menu, we asked our server, Ariel, if we could switch to the restaurant week set menu. She allowed one but adamantly refused the other to the point of being unyielding and surly despite the fact that it was their fault for not offering us the set menu in the first instance. It also made no common sense to put up such a fuss over a starter that was of lesser value anyway under the circumstance. Not a pleasant experience. We let it go at that point and , rather than leaving, we decided to make the best of an unfortunate situation. My husband ordered a burger, which was fine. The fries were very hot, which was a plus. I ordered the Parmesan crusted chicken on a lemon basil sauce. It, or should I say "they" arrived in a bowl. Two large indelicate chicken breasts, side by side, in a bowl. The accompaniments that came with it -- turnips and spinach, amounted to about a a small tablespoon altogether on a corner of the bowl sitting in a greasy mess. The sauce, while tasty, was nothing more than a lemony butter and quite greasy to the palate. The dish was completely unbalanced, not a success andI I just quietly pushed it away. At this point, the manager Zachary intervened. Lovely fellow and he did the right thing without a fuss after we explained what had transpired throughout our meal. Our only regret was that the server, Ariel, did not think to consult with the manager earlier in the meal, in the moment, to resolve the issues we had encountered. We didn't go out seeking freebies; we went out for a nice meal. It was ok in the end and the restaurant manager's handling of the situation will invite us back but it could have been a more successful experience. read more

The Vanderbilt - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

Beautiful! They were amazing! They took care of everything. Dinner reservations. I was traveling with 108 pound German Sheperd. A dog bed and bowls were in the room. They admired him from afar, didn't get in his space. Everyone was so nice ( real nice not that fake nice..) helpful! Had breakfast outside. Someone came out with a bowl of water for the dog. Never had to ask for anything! The staff is on POINT!! read more

The Vanderbilt - Sir Vass - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

My wife and I stayed at the Vanderbilt for 3 nights to celebrate our anniversary and 2nd pregnancy. This was our first visit to Newport and our stay was exceptional from the moment we arrived to when we left. All of the staff (valet, hostess, waiters/waitresses and hotel management delivered a truly special and memorable accommodation for us. Upon arriving at the hotel, the valet immediately attended and greeted us. Eli helped us get settled in and Saied helped us to pack up when we were leaving . Both of them were very welcoming, helped us a lot with our luggage and were gracious attendants. Their welcoming personalities truly made our experience great. When we arrived at the front desk, we were warmly greeted with a welcome drink, smiles, and a generous gift for our anniversary and pregnancy. The hotel itself is stunning. Our mansion loft suite was spacious and had nice skylights. I would recommend going to the rooftop section , as the views were great, and you can enjoy some cocktails and good selection of snacks. The library lounge and conservatory areas were beautifully designed. I also want to give praise to the hotels location, as it is located within walking distance of many fine dining restaurants and shops. The food was excellent , as we enjoyed breakfast outside, had lunch in the conservatory, and had dinner in the main dining lounge. I would especially like to give praise to Morgan, the lead concierge, as she helped me generate a personal itinerary for our trip. Her personal curated recommendations (dining and activities) were excellent, and she answered a lot of questions that I had. Additionally, other hotel management- Leilani, Heather, and Brittany ,were very helpful during our stay. If you are looking for an exceptional experience, I would definitely recommend the Vanderbilt. read more

Hotel review. Pros: -really nice and elegant hotel -very friendly staff -great location. We didn't need to drive anywhere after checking in because the restaurants, shops and sites that we visited were all within walking distance -option for "free" valet or self park. I don't like valeting my baby so elected to self park. Since my car is quite low, they let me park in front of the hotel -free marshmellows and sparkling water on check in -large rooms -complimentary water and marshmellows upon checkin -TVs have hdmi cables hooked up already so its easy to plug in laptop -large shower with dual shower head -really high ceilings -microwave and fridge in room Cons: -AC was extremely loud. Seemed like an old unit, and not something that I expected from a hotel at this price point. It was so loud that I wouldnt be able to sleep through it, so I had to turn it off at night -$50 resort fee that covers a few things that I did not utilize (only used the wifi). Seemed excessive -wifi is a bit slow -fitness room was on the small side Will be open to staying again, as long as the weather is moderate enough that I don't need to use the noisy AC at night read more

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During this summer this place goes $800 and not worth it. The rooms are equipped with ikea couches and sofas and the walls are paper thin.. The common areas are nice but the room its self is a shame for that price. I recommend you pay a little more and stay at Castle Inn it's worth every penny. read more

Value wasn't there. NYE was very expensive and the food was disappointing. The passed horderve I was served was a cold triangle of grilled cheese. For $350, I expected fancy passes appetizers as advertised. The hotel overbooked the event. read more

Nice place for dinner. The drinks were great and the food was delicious. There is a rooftop bar with a nice view. The staff was really friendly and the ambiance was excellent. read more

Great food, even for large parties but really expensive. Hotel is nice with hidden little pool right in downtown. Lovely.

The bar is so nice and warm and inviting. What a great little boutique hotel. Has everything you need for your stay. Enjoy

wife and I go for brunch, order two meals. they bring one out and inform me mine will be out shortly. 15 mins later they inform me of a glitch in the system and it was invited as a second course. once wife finished her meal we left. they did comp the food and charge me for the overpriced money making drinks. unsatisfactory. read more

My husband and I had drinks at the rooftop and the view was nice with the sun setting. We highly recommend and will be back! Too bad it was a bit cold when we went last weekend, it would've been nice if they had heat lamps. read more

The Vanderbilt - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

I had a wonderful time visiting the vanderbilt last weekend. It was an amazing experience, from the security, organization and the breathtaking views it was a trully enjoyable time. -Helem Hernandez read more

The Vanderbilt hotel was extremely disappointing in regard to a wedding that I recently attended there. To my surprise the guests and family of the bride were expected to physically move their furniture in order to set up for the brides reception. In my opinion, leaving the facility open to some serious liability issues. In addition, they were unprofessional and did not abide by the terms of their own contract. I would never recommend this hotel, to anyone, for any accommodations whatsoever. read more

Fantastic course meal. The inside is so quiet and welcoming. It is ideal for business talk, date, etc. Food and course meal was very large portion. For the price, it was a steal. Top notch! read more

Since we are Newport locals, we unfortunately haven't had the opportunity to stay the night at this fabulous little boutique hotel! However, we love coming here for the various events they throw during the year. The folks at Vanderbilt Grace know how to party! One of the most memorable evenings of the previous year was their Halloween Party that we were lucky enough to attend. It was generously free of charge and open to the public, not just hotel guests. We were greeted with a signature cocktail, The Bimini Boppity Boo, which featured event sponsor Bimini Gin, and was colored a mysterious and macabre black due to the butterfly pea flower in the drink. And if you think that's impressive, it's just the tip of the iceberg for the creative beverage program at the Vanderbilt Grace. Mixologist Christina Mercado heads the bar program at the hotel, and her concoctions are amazing! She had a slew of them for the Halloween party that we tried, and the standout was a gin cocktail that was a creepy shade of blood red with a frozen cream skull serving as an ice cube! So fun and Instagram friendly! They also provided passed hors d'oeuvres, and a fantastic dessert table that I'm still raving about months later. The desserts all had some sort of alcoholic infusion, from the delicately elegant champagne cake pops to the hearty rum brownies, they were amazing and we ate so many of them! They also had live music provided by local pianist and songstress Kristine Langello, which added to the fun and sophisticated atmosphere of the party. Last night, we attended their New Year's Eve party, after having an amazing time at the Halloween event. This party was a whole lot swankier, and most people were dolled up in black tie attire. The Dick Lupino Band provided music and kept the revelers in full swing with everything from Sinatra to the 70's. What fun we had! The food and drinks last night was less memorable than in October, and the noteworthy desserts were nowhere to be found. I was looking forward to ringing in the New Year with not only a glass of champagne, but also a cake pop, and alas, I could not. Nonetheless, it was a great evening, and I look forward to attending events at the hotel in the future. The Vanderbilt Grace is a lovely 33 room boutique hotel located within walking distance from the bustling downtown tourist district, but far enough away from the crowds that it provides a tranquil retreat from the hectic pace of Newport's peak season. It also boasts an indoor salt water pool, full service spa (I look forward to updating this review when I've had a chance to check that out!), restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, high English tea for a very reasonable price (the non-alcoholic tea service is only $20! That's a steal once you see how elegant this restaurant is), and of course, the roof deck, which provides the best public roof unobstructed view of the Newport Bridge and harbor. The roof deck opens in May, and serves cocktails, as well as light appetizer bites. Nothing like munching on a fresh shrimp cocktail and sipping an Aperol Spritz while the sun sets over the gorgeous Newport skyline! The service is attentive and personalized, exactly what you would expect from a high end hotel. Do yourself a favor and check out the Vanderbilt Grace next time you're in town! read more

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After we finished our wonder sunset cruise @cruisesnewport on the Madeline. We decidedly to go to the top of the Vanderbilt to see the view and have a cocktail. So we did and ordered a Margarita and Rose Spritzer and they we both meh . And the kicker they were $18/pp Did I just blink and end up in Miami...No still in Newport. Only good thing out of this experience was the view so I guess that's what you're paying for. We had better drinks @Tavernonbroadway read more

The Vanderbilt - Rooftop bar - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

5 stars for the interior design and decor - the most beautiful in Newport. Go here for a (VERY expensive) cocktail at the gorgeous bar, but don't come for anything else. Unfortunately the food and the service do not match up to the ambiance. Staff has no clue what they're doing. Prepare to search for a server when you want to order a meal. They set the tables with dirty silverware and wet dishes. Food is just meh at best and incredibly overpriced. For that kind of pricing, go to Chanterelle or Castle Hill Inn and have an amazing, memorable meal instead. Such a disconnect between how this place looks and how much it costs, to what you actually get as meals and service. I guess that perfectly captures the spirit of the Gilded Age though! read more

Dean is an absolute incredible bartender! Best drinks ever. Noah is super helpful as well! Absolutely must go if you are in a Newport! read more

The Vanderbilt - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

The kind of place to splurge and celebrate a special occasion. On a Friday night in the off season, the bar room and restaurant held a full crowd soaking up the gentleman's club ambience. The dishes and cocktails are superb, using subtle flavors in innovative ways. The service is excellent, warm and welcoming. We will definitely be back to try the rooftop terrace and the lovely glass walled conservatory room used for serving breakfast overlooking a courtyard garden. For appetizers, we started with roasted octopus over a bed of shaved fennel and fava beans, with lemon oil making all ingredients lip smackingly delicious. Another appetizer was equally good: radicchio and candied pecans with a subtle vinaigrette. Our shared entree for two was a savory steak and ale pie with mushrooms and peas under delicate puff pastry crust. Yum, yum, yum! The best came last: a sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream on top and a side dish of Meyer lemon sorbet to cleanse the palate, definitely the silkiest, most flavorful and most exquisite sorbet we've ever had. Bravo all around. Five stars! read more

A POOR motel experience at a Four Seasons price. There's mold/mildew on the ceiling and in the shower and a piece of the ceiling disintegrated and fell into my toiletries and on my toothbrush. Did I just brush with lead based paint? Who knows! And this is after I arrived to find the hotel completely empty. I wandered around looking for a front desk and saw one with a guest listing and figured that must be it. But no worries, just because it was midnight and I have to get up at 5:30 doesn't mean I'm in a rush. The room is big and there are Molten Brown toiletries. If you're looking for anything more than those two items, stay elsewhere. read more

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Rooftop bar is nifty. The Bar Manager Christina was awesome, best drinks! The hotel itself is very historic in look & feel. The staff was very friendly and eager to assist in any way. We had a 3rd floor suite, which was very spacious. There was a loftesque bedroom, with a skylight, a bathroom and a half. I didn't find the bed comfortable (a bit too hard for my liking), and the furnishings weren't as top-end as I'd expect considering the price. read more

The server Dwayne was excellent. He was very attentive and willing to talk to us about himself and the restaurant. The food was very good. The filet mignonette and the halibut were very tasty as was the rainbow carrots. The coffee was great. It was served in a French press at the table. The ambiance of the room was great as was the real wood fireplace. Overall it was a great experience. I would very much recommend a visit. read more

Stopped in with my boyfriend. Beautiful hotel, good food and amazing view. Morgan was AMAZING. so welcoming and made our experience a happy one. read more

Started with the Burrata and Heirloom Tomato which was a delicate, creamy goodness topped with crispy fried onions and pesto. Next up was the octopus app. I've never in my life eaten octopus and it was actually awesome. In the future, just for transparency, I would not order one all for myself but I would take a bite or 3 from a shared plate. Some things you just do in baby steps. For our shared main entreé, the Halibut special, which of course was to die for. Just trust me on that one. Phenomenal. And just to be clear, their restaurant is called The Gwynne, in case you want to make your own reservations. Bon Appetite!! read more

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