Review of The Hartness House 3*

We stayed at Hartness House in August 2014 for several nights. This property was, at that point in history, in desperate need of millions of dollars in restoration, renovation, and rehabilitation. The pictures on the website are old and have most likely been photoshopped. They do not represent the Inn in its current condition. The bar had been cleaned out and closed by the owners. The only food available was breakfast, which was excellent. The dining room was closed otherwise. Buyer beware! If you choose to go to Hartness House, you will be disappointed if you go, expecting it to look as it does on the website. This mansion, built by the former governor and industrialist, is a tired, old, rundown, vestige of a bygone era. If the new owners invest the money to restore it to its former grandeur, it would be magnificent… but it is not that now. We stayed in the room at the head of the stairs on the second floor. It was clean, and comfortable. The bed and pillows were quite nice. The shower/bathroom, like all old showers/bathrooms, needed work, but was adequate. The recent posts on the website indicate that the dining room is open since the new owners took control. Ask questions when you book so you know for certain what is available to you. Hartness House is a charming place… as long as you know what you're getting when you book there. I happen to love beautiful, old homes, having lived for years in Newport, R. I. This home has wonderful character and charm… and is in need of a lot of money, and tender loving care… and a contractor who knows what he's doing! Enjoy! :)