The Sylvia Beach Hotel is a refreshingly different place to stay for those looking for a quiet evening curled up with a good read. The theme of the hotel is books, and each room is decorated in the style of a specific author, for example Jane Austin or Edgar Allen Poe. Although the majority of rooms are private, the hotel does offer one dorm-style room with four sets of bunk beds. The hotel is beachfront, offering great views from the top floor library. Most of the guests, who are generally middle-aged or older, congregate in this spacious room in the evening to watch the sunset.
The dorm room, the common areas, and the bathrooms are all exceptionally clean, most likely because the hotel is more on par with a bed and breakfast than a hostel. The hotel does not provide a full kitchen, but there is complimentary tea and coffee and a mini fridge for restaurant leftovers.
Although the hotel is not in downtown Newport, a free shuttle runs on a regular schedule and stops about one block away. Another perk is the excellent breakfast that is included with the room or bed. The kitchen sends out homemade baked goods, fruit, and cereal, and takes orders for eggs and toast. We did not sign up for evening meal, which costs extra, but given the quality of the breakfast, we wish we had.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
September 2006
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