Hotel Viking Hotel - Page 1

Note that we've only stayed here off season so the summer experience may differ from ours. This is our 3rd year coming and we'll be back again!

Great value. 5 star service from the staff. Fantastic food and wine. We love to park ourselves in the bar, watching a game and drink wine and eat some wonderful bar food (the fresh made potato chips are scrumptious!) Bedding is luxurious and very comfortable. The spa is one of the best we've ever experienced. They have Balianese as well as Thai massage that is hard to find elsewhere and superior to all. The indoor pool/whirlpool is wonderful and relaxing and well maintened. Couldn't ask for a better, and economical romantic getaway!

First class treatment. I can not give this hotel enough praise. The experience was wonderful. The staff was extremely attentive,when you arrive back home for the night the valet greets you by name and inquires how your night was. The bellmen stand behind you in the lobby waiting for you every need. The rooms were magnificent. The lobby and bar/restaurant equally as grand. You pay for the atmosphere and charm, also the bar on the roof top. I have stayed now several times-this is the hotel for us in Newport.

We loved the old world charm of our room, but we did talk to friends who did not have the same quality in their rooms.

This hotel made me feel pampered: The bedroom had a huge, four poster bed with a step stool to get in it. The bedding was very luxurious and it just made us feel special.

First off I want to warn all readers to ignore any & all reviews before May 2007.

The Hotel has spent $6 Million on renovations on the main inn (Viking Wing) and Noble House, a top tier operator with award winning properties ( Adolphus, Little Palm, Portofino) is the new owner.

I read every single review, did a analysis/count of +/-, etc., and was shocked at how some people reviewed this hotel. I can assure you these reviews are hate / flames from either clueless guests, unreasonable customers, or just miserable fools....used to chains or have never been to New England

-I live in NY City ( home of most expensive #1 hotels: Pierre, Plaza, Waldorf, Ritz) have travelled the globe, stayed in 5 Star hotels in almost every state in the USA and have stayed in similar New England Inns in Cape Cod (Chatham Bars inn), Marthas Vinyeard, and stayed in private clubs in New Port [NY Yacht Club-house] as well as the $800/night Castle Hill and Ocean Cliff in New port.

-My 28 y.o. girlfriend & I checked in on Labor Day weekend. From driving up to the grand circle drive to the white uniformed valets to the tasteful lobby....it was flawless. Handled my vintage beamer with care and had it to me in minutes over 3 days/nights [called from room, not at stand] .Think private yacht club.

-I asked for a high floor, corner if possible, away from elevators. Room 401 delivered. Corner unit, 2 windows, water view [yes harbor view] Decorated like a Ritz Carlton, pillow top bed, elite linens, bronze embroidered duvet, 6 huge stuffed pillows, 4 down pillows....just like website photos.

-Re: Bathrooms being like gas stations. Mine was like White House: huge new glass shower, storm shower head, black granite floors, scabos tumbled tiles, with bronze glass tile caps. 8 Towels/Spa toiletries. New vanity. etc.

-Huge 42 inch Phiips plasma TV

-Nice room bar set: 2 buckets of ice in 5 mins, asked 3 nights

-Re: Breakfast Buffet. It was fine, $15/person. Standard fare/$...McDonalds in $6!; nice flowery patio. Do it first day then do the patios @ Castle Hill, Ocean Cliff or Chandler Clif Walk. Same price, w/ variety of views/cliffs.

-Re: Rude staff. Older staff were 5 Star professional. Car valets were prompt, gave $5 tip to 4 of them on departure. The younger kids ( Waiters, hostess, etc) were average. They are basically spoiled snot nosed college/new england kids who are pretending to be rich, even though they need summer jobs. This is common in New England and some call it "un-service"....Just be firm and demand good service. They know the real deal, and will fall into line.

-Ask reservations to honor the lowest on-line rates and MAKE SURE you are in MAIN Inn (Viking Wing) facing the back, as harbor and sailboats are in distance. The Newport wing was added in 2003 and is modern glass generic with dark corridors, and resembles a marriot / hyatt.

-Overall, you will all be vary happy here. Its a grand old New England Inn in the traditional old world sense. Nice public areas, classic nautical bar with overstuffed real leather couches, and formal dinning room, and nice pool, roof bar, etc.

-Granted me & my girlfriend had tons of fun [ ;-) here; the hotel delivered big time. For you bachelors, she said it was the best weekend / trip / holiday of her life!

I went to this hotel with my sister last weekend and found the place to be overrated. The location is good but other than that I feel it’s overpriced.

First, the staff messed up our reservations and we ended getting moved into a hotel room between a floor of a wedding party. The whole entire floor of this hotel smelled like a public toilet. Unfortunately, it wasn't just in the hallway but the small standard room smelled terrible.

We also had a mix up with our parking, and the valet told us to "Self Park" in the hotel non secure lots. In the end the hotel charged us the same price as if the valet had parked it in a secure lot. That is outrageous and unacceptable. We were misled and had we known we would have parked our car in one of the free public lots. I would not return to the Viking, but will opt for a B&B next time.