Guest Comments

Also read Stories from the Hostel

 "I'm so thankful for your kindness and I'm certain that Newport is the place that I want to visit again. Your night tour was amazing and I learned so much about Newport last night. Also, I've never slept in a hostel before but it was very comforting and home-like! I will come back again. I wish you to continue spreading your love the way you do. Thank you!"
-- Clementine, South Korea

 "Gorgeous, amazing wonderful, incredible…can’t think of anything else. I feel like I don’t want to leave. Not even two days here and it feels like home! Thank you, Merrilee, for your outgoing and hospitable approach. Newport made us love it the second we stepped out of the house and you added a perfect, comfy, home-like place to stay! We’d love to come back again."
-- Lea, Slovakia

"I’m glad I detoured through Newport because this is a lovely place you’ve got here. Thank you for recommending the mansions – the Breakers was wonderful and I enjoyed the Cliff Walk. I’ll tell anyone I meet to come and stay here. It’s well worth the visit. Thanks for making me feel very welcome. It was like staying at a friend’s house." -- Scott, United Kingdom

"Thank you so much for both your fantastic hospitality and your wonderful hostel - it is by far the prettiest one that I can remember. Your night tours are fantastic and it is good that you are so excited by showing us around Newport.
-- Dominik, Sidney, Australia

"What a comfortable, clean place you have made here. I admire and thank you for fulfilling your vision to bring a hostel to Rhode Island. I could have never made such a trip here if it were not for your perseverance in this goal. I hope to visit again someday." -- Louis, Massachusetts, USA

"Thank you so much for your hospitality. We have never stayed in such a clean, well run youth hostel anywhere else in the world. We really appreciated your help in finding an apartment for the summer and we both really enjoyed your guided (night) walking tour. No doubt we will bump into you during the summer." -- Doug & Brian, Ireland

"This is a lighthouse beaming lost travelers (and sailors!) safely home…Bless you!
The hostel's night walk was the highlight of my time in Newport!"
-- Danny, San Diego, California, USA

“Thank you for saving me!”
-- Pia, South Africa

(Pia showed up at the hostel door without a reservation on one of the busiest days of the year in Newport and we found her a bed.)

"Thanks so much, Merrilee! Had a great time. Hope to be back here next year for the NYCC (New York Yacht Club) Race Week." -- The crew of “Brilliant”, New Jersey, USA

"Thank you for making me feel so welcome and providing me with so much information about Newport. I’m so grateful to you for opening up a hostel in Newport as without this I would not be able to visit Newport. Thank you for letting me borrow your bike. This is the best hostel I have stayed in . I only planned to stay two nights but ended up staying six as I had such an excellent time." -- Cara, England

"Thank you very much for your help and hospitality. We stayed in your hostel twice and both times it really felt like home. You were the first nice person we met when we arrived in The States. For me it had been the first time in the USA and everything was confusing until I got used to it. Best wishes and keep in touch." -- Andra, Romania

"Thank you very much for all the support extended by you during my stay in Rhode Island. Memories about my stay in your hostel are certainly on top of my highlights of my US trip. I appreciate your helping hand extended to me not only during my stay at the hostel but even after that." -- Sanjay, India

"Thank you so much for your hospitality. It was wonderful. I really enjoyed your night tour. I didn’t expect Newport to be so wonderful and beautiful. Thank you! I definitely will come back to your hostel. I will stay longer next time and will bring my friends." -- Saeoko, Japan

"Thanks so much. If travel is a risk/reward ratio as you say, the reward far outweighed the risk in this case! I had a wonderful memorable time here that I will never forget. I'll be back!" -- Robin, New York, USA

"Thank you so much! This really is a fantastic place to stay – Newport is beautiful and I don’t think I’ve ever stayed in such a nice, hospitable hostel." -- Lucie, Australia

"Merrilee, thank you for opening your home to me. You are a gracious host. The (night) tour was appreciated so much. Please keep sharing your knowledge and love of this town with those who find their way here. I have been charmed." -- Stephen, Pennsylvania, USA

"Thank you for accommodating our family. Having the chance to stay at your hostel made the difference between our having a summer vacation or not. Your tips on what to do were great and we left wanting to return." -- Sara, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA

"In our lives there are some moments and the moments are like magic. You and your hostel made me feel this way. Thank you so much for your kindness." -- Peter, Czech Republic

"My first stop on my solo journey in search of myself. Thank you for being so welcoming and for the breakfasts. They helped me get started each morning." -- Lynn, North Carolina, USA

"It’s one of the nicest hostels ever! It’s relaxed and homey. I felt like I was staying in a friend’s house. Wish I could stay longer." -- Ann, Ireland

"Thank you so much for going out of your way to make us feel welcome. Newport is beautiful, the weather was fantastic and we enjoyed the folk festival very much." -- Stephanie, Massachusetts, USA

"Coming here turned out to be a wonderful and amazing experience for me. I stayed for only one night and enjoyed two wonderful days here. The warmth and hospitality has really been one of a kind. I’d recommend this place and hostel to anyone! Thanks for taking me to Anthony’s for my first lobster!" -- Dana, Germany

"Thanks! The hostel is beautiful and in a great location. Merrilee was so very helpful, accommodating, and generous." -- Ben, New Hampshire, USA

"I really appreciated the warmth and hospitality that I might not have expected from a hostel. You were open and helpful, and your beautiful, accommodations give hostels a great name. Thanks again." -- Miriam, New York

"Many thanks for your kindness throughout our stay. You gave great service and in the troubled times we all live in, offered a more positive image of America. Keep up the good work, and God bless." -- Laurent, Caroline, and Michel, Canada

"Thank you so much. Your warmth, generosity and positive spirit have meant so much to me. I will take it wherever I go. This little jewel in the smallest state has made an enormous impact. Good luck." -- Bill, USA

"When I was looking for hostels in Newport, I had no idea I was going to find such a nice hostel and hospitable place…The hostel is in a great location in this neat little seaport of Newport and I will definitely come back here again. Thank you!" -- Mira, Canada

"Thank you so much for the smile, for all the help and generosity." -- David, Israel

"Words can't describe this hostel and Merrilee - I am honored to have stayed here and my life is better for having met you and rejoining the hostelling world (Hostellers make good people :)) Thank you for all your help in relocating here. I'll see you and the gang on your walking tours! " -- Kate, North Carolina, USA

"Thank you very much for making my visit in Newport even nicer by welcoming me in your hostel. This is a great place to stay. I wish it had been longer than just those few days. There is so much to do here! And thank you for encouraging me to go to the Breakers mansion. It was definitely worth visiting." -- Nora, Germany

"Thanks so much for a fantastic three nights here in Newport. We really appreciated all the hot tips of where to go and what to see. And the hostel atmosphere really made me feel at home." -- Penny, New Zealand

"What a pleasant hostel experience! Though I am unfortunately only able to stay one night I feel as if I stayed in the home of some distant relative. I appreciated your warm hospitality after driving 4500 miles the past seven days. Spreading the word about your home will be a pleasure on my journey back across America." -- Mark, Oregon, USA.

"It was such a coincidence we ran into you and started talking about our bicycling trip across your beautiful country. I’m so happy that we stayed at your place. It’s been so much fun. Thank you for getting us in the Newport Daily News as local heroes! Most of the time the things you did not plan on your trip are the most fun and so I will remember this. Our stay at your hostel was the whipped cream on a cake. Thanks very much for showing us around and making us feel very welcome." -- The bicyclers, Maaike & Ed, The Netherlands.

"Although I had only one night here, I have to say that Newport and your hostel are right up there with my favorite places. You have a fantastic place here. I hope I get to return soon." -- Cate, Australia

"Wow! Great town, great place, great hospitality and a great host. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality. I love it here!" -- Derek, Australia

"I am so grateful for the wonderful experience you showed me! Staying in your new hostel was a delight! The jazz festival was fabulous. Your hospitality is extremely generous and welcoming." -- Kate, New Hampshire, USA

"Thank you so much for such a great stay in Newport. So glad the library was open yesterday and we were able to find your delightful hostel on the Internet. So wish we could stay for another day or two, but we will be back. You have a great spirit and a wonderful place here. It will be an easy pleasure to recommend your hostel to others." -- Larry & Kelly, Canada (on a honeymoon)

"I am just following up on my recent holiday and I wish to say personally to you..many thanks. You need to be commended not only on your guesthouse, provisions and running of it, but more importantly your involvement. ie the historic tour of the town (even if it was a bit wet and windy...that just added to the atmosphere), including watching some live music.
I will be recommending your venue whenever appropriate." -- Rod, Australia

Also read Stories from the Hostel