From the Author: Our family has been taking week-long vacations on Block Island for 6+ years. We love this island and know it well. If you have any questions, we respond quickly to comments!
Block Island just might be New England’s best kept secret. It may be small (9.73 sq miles to be exact), but it’s filled with 17 miles of some of the most beautiful, and diverse beaches in the region.
It’s best hotels are equally beautiful and diverse – a delightful, ever-evolving mix of old meets new. And because of Block Island’s intimate size, it never seems like you’re too far from anything.
Here are our picks for the best Block Island hotels.
NOTICE // We try our best to keep the information in this guide as up to date as possible. If you notice anything has changed, please leave us comment down below.
NOTE: The Block Island Beach House has two locations: “The Surf” and “The Gables”. The Surf is located directly on the beach. The Gables has a pool and is located just a short 3 minute walk away from The Surf (on the same street). Whether you stay at The Surf, or The Gables, you’ll get access to BOTH the beach and the pool!
Hotel Information:
Pet Friendly: YES – Dogs ONLY, and only in select rooms.
Pool: YES – Heated pool at “The Gables” location.
Beach: YES – Located right on Crescent Beach!
Parking: YES – Website says only 5 spots, but I called and they use one of the staff’s home parking nearby for overflow (walking distance). They say they’ve never had an issue accommodating all guests!
Walkability: HIGH – Located right downtown. Steps away from all the shops, bars, and restaurants and a 5 min walk from the ferry.
Food & Drink: YES – The Surf onsite restaurant, and a surfside Beach Bar.
Recreation: NO – But hey, you have the beach, pool and access to downtown! Plenty to do.
Minimum Stay: Minimum of two nights during the weekend. One night stays fine during the weekdays!
The Surf
The Gables
Dog Friendly: Yes ✓
Cat Friendly: No✘
All dogs must be on a leash.
Nightly pet fee of $50.00 per dog. No more than 2 dogs allowed.
You’ll pay a $250.00 fee per night if any dogs are found in rooms not designated as dog-friendly, or if your dog causes any stains/damage.
Heated Pool: YES – But note that the water is not kept hot by any means! Only slightly warmer than the ocean.
Towel Service: YES
Pool Bar: NO – No alcohol allowed in the pool area either. You’ll have to take a short walk down to the surf-side Beach Bar for a drink.
Lifeguard: NO – Swim at your own risk.
Open to Public: NO – Guests of The Surf and The Gables only.
The Surf is located directly on Crescent Beach!
There are 40 chase lounges and umbrellas available to guests on a first-come-first-served basis.
Beach towels are also included.
Consider leaving the car at home if you’re planning on staying here. You simply don’t need one as this property is less than a 5 minute walk from the ferry!
Most everything is within walking distance, and for the few things that aren’t, just hail a cab.
Beach: YES – Located steps away from Crescent Beach and a short 5 min walk from Ballards Beach.
Parking: YES – However they have limited parking on site and it’s available on a first come first serve basis. Parking is free, but it’s NOT guaranteed.
Walkability: HIGH – Located right downtown. Steps away from all the shops, bars, and restaurants and a 5 min walk from the ferry.
Food & Drink: YES – The Darius has a daily “happy hour” with drinks and apps. You’re also walking distance from several bars and restaurants downtown.
Recreation: NO – But you’re right downtown and walking distance from the beach.
Minimum Stay: 3 night minimum for suites and 2 night minimum for rooms.
Dog Friendly: Yes ✓
Cat Friendly: No✘
There are 5 dog friendly rooms: Suite Four, Suite Three, Suite Two, Suite One, & Room 5.
$50 fee per dog/per stay.
Call them ahead of time if you plan on bringing your dog!
Located steps away from Crescent Beach and a short 5 min walk from Ballards Beach.
Beach: NO – About a 9 minute walk from Ballards Beach and 10 minute walk to Crescent beach.
Parking: YES – Free on-site parking available to all guests.
Walkability: MODERATE – 10 minute from downtown and the ferry. Just a bit further to closest beach.
Food & Drink: YES – Breakfast is served at The 1661 Inn – featuring an array of dishes including eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, homemade muffins and much more.
Recreation: YES – You’re located directly across the street from a working farm! As a guest you’ll be able to explore the farm and meet the animals.
Beach: YES – Located steps away from Crescent Beach and a short 3 min walk from Ballards Beach.
Parking: YES – There is a parking lot for the hotel – it’s complimentary but does get busy particularly in July and August, so they cannot guarantee a parking place.
Walkability: HIGH – Located right downtown. Steps away from all the shops, bars, and restaurants and a 2 min walk from the ferry.
Food & Drink: YES – The National Hotel Tap & Grille is on-site with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Recreation: NO – But hey, you have the beach and access to downtown! Plenty to do.
Pet Friendly: NO – Not pets allowed in the hotel, but dogs are allowed on the beach (so long as they are on a leash).
Pool: NO – No pool.
Beach: YES – Ballard’s Beach Resort is “oceanfront”, it’s not technically on the beach itself. That said, Ballard’s Beach is just a minute walk away.
Parking: YES – Free parking is available to guests staying at Ballard’s Resort.
Walkability: HIGH – Located a short 3 minute walk from the ferry and downtown. Lots of bars and restaurants right nearby!
Food & Drink: YES – Breakfast, lunch and dinner served on-site at the beachfront restaurant. And a separate Tiki Bar on the beach.
Recreation: YES – Volleyball and live music on the beach!
Minimum Stay: Minimum of two nights during the weekend. One night stays fine during the weekdays.
Ballard’s Resort is just steps away from the quarter-mile-long Ballard’s Beach! You can reserve cabanas, lounge chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards and even a private beach fire!
There’s also a Tiki Bar right on Ballard’s Beach that serves amazing frozen drinks.
And if you’re traveling with kids during the summer months, there is a life guard on duty.
Keep in mind that this beach can get quite crowded – after-all, it’s only a short 5 minute walk from the Ferry (lot’s a day-trippers).
If you have any interest in using Ballard’s cabanas, lounge chairs, umbrellas, etc. BOOK AHEAD! They sell out all the time.
Parking: YES – Parking is located behind Sherman cottage, to the left of the Blue Dory Inn. If it’s full, park at the Avonlea!
Walkability: HIGH – Located right downtown. Steps away from all the shops, bars, and restaurants and a 5 min walk from the ferry.
Food & Drink: YES – This is a Bed & Breakfast! Complimentary breakfast served every morning and afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Recreation: NO – But you have the beach and access to downtown! There is a lot to do!
Minimum Stay: Typically a minimum of two-three nights during the weekend. One night stays might be fine during the weekdays but call and check!
Dog Friendly: Yes ✓
Cat Friendly: Yes ✓
There is a fee of $30 dollars per night per pet.
A hose is available on the south side of the Blue Dory to wash your pet off when coming off Crescent beach.
They have made special arrangements in the past to allow pets to be unattended but you’ll have to provide your cell phone number so staff can contact you if something goes wrong!
Located a 60 second walk from Crescent Beach (there is a path from the back door that leads right down to the water!).
There are complimentary beach chairs and towels available as well.
A hose is available on the south side of the Blue Dory to wash your feet (and dog!) when coming off Crescent beach.
The Blue Dory Inn is located directly behind the Avonlea. Both properties are owned and operated by the same company.
Pet Friendly: YES – Dog and cat friendly. Must be on a leash. Additional nightly cost incurred. Dog park on-site.
Pool: YES – Heated pool on the water with a pool bar!
Beach: NO – 30 min walk or 5 min drive.
Parking: YES – On-site.
Walkability: LOW – 30 min walk from downtown, ferry and the nearest beach. But lots of amenities on-site, and a few walkable restaurants nearby.
Food & Drink: YES – Bars, restaurants, coffee, ice cream and candy shack all on-site.
Recreation: YES – Kayaks, paddle boards, pedal boats, bikes, lawn games, fire pits, and playground.
Minimum Stay: The marina and the hotel have minimum night stays ranging from two nights to four nights during the season. Occasionally they have shorter stays available, so give them call!
Dog Friendly: Yes ✓
Cat Friendly: Yes ✓
All pets must be on a leash.
Nightly pet fee of $65.00 for one pet. $95.00 for two pets.
There is dog “park” on-site (really just a grass area) in front of the Pier 76 building.
If your pet has an accident on the property that requires professional cleaning, you’ll be charged for it (cost of cleaning plus $100).
Heated Pool: YES
Towel Service: YES
Pool Bar: YES – Drinks and food options available.
Lifeguard: NO – Swim at your own risk.
Open to Public: NO – Starting July 1st each year, guests are required to wear wrist bands and Champlin’s double-check them at the pool gate. Prior to July, pool is open to the public!
Go get a frozen banana mudslide and smash burger poolside, or at the marina bar, dock-side. They are revered island-wide!
Some say Champlin’s slides are even better than the slides at The Oar. I’m team Champlin’s. My wife is team Oar. Let us know which team you’re on!
Parking: YES – Guest parking available on-site. If it’s full, you can park behind Sherman cottage, to the left of the Blue Dory Inn (a short walk away).
Walkability: HIGH – Located right downtown. Steps away from all the shops, bars, and restaurants and a 5 min walk from the ferry.
Food & Drink: YES – Complimentary New England breakfast served every morning and afternoon wine hour.
Recreation: NO – But you have the beach and access to downtown! There is a lot to do!
Minimum Stay: Typically a minimum of two-three nights during the weekend. One night stays might be fine during the weekdays but call and check!
Located a 30 second walk from Crescent Beach (just steps off the back porch!).
Beach: YES – Located steps away from Crescent Beach and a short 5 min walk from Ballards Beach.
Parking: YES – However parking is NOT guaranteed. You’ll want to call ahead to check availability.
Walkability: HIGH – Located RIGHT downtown with views of scenic Old Harbor. Steps away from all the shops, bars, and restaurants and a 2 min walk from the ferry.
Food & Drink: NO – But you are steps away from tons of dining options right downtown.
Recreation: NO – But hey, you have the beach and access to downtown! So much to do.
Minimum Stay: The Old Bakery typically has a two night minimum but I would call ahead as this is at the owner’s discretion.
Dog Friendly: Yes ✓
Cat Friendly: No✘
Only one dog allowed at this property.
An additional fee of $50 per night will be charged for a small dog (<25lbs), and $75 per night for a larger dog (>25lbs).
Please call the front desk and alert them over the phone if you plan on bringing a dog with you!
Steps away from Crescent Beach (right in front of the Block Island Beach House) and 5 min walk from Ballard’s Beach.
Beach: NO – Located a short 9 minute walk from Baby Beach (Frederick J. Benson Town Beach).
Parking: YES – Parking is located right on-site.
Walkability: MODERATE – It’s a 19 min walk to the Ferry but you’re just a short 6-8 minute walk from several bars and restaurants and only an 8 min walk from the beach!
Food & Drink: YES – Breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese served daily.
Recreation: YES – Play a game of croquet or sit around the fire!
Minimum Stay: They require a 3-night stay for any booking that includes a Saturday night in July or August, otherwise nightly stays are fine.
Dog Friendly: Yes ✓
Cat Friendly: No✘
Room 1, Room 2, and Barn 1 are all dog friendly options.
$75 nightly fee per dog. Call ahead if you have more than one!
Beach: NO – About a 9 minute walk from Baby Beach (Frederick J. Benson Town Beach).
Parking: YES – Free on-site parking available to all guests.
Walkability: MODERATE – It’s a 19 min walk to the Ferry but you’re just a short 6-8 minute walk from several bars and restaurants and only an 8 min walk from the beach!
Food & Drink: NO – But you are a short walk from The Oar, Dead Eye Dicks, Mahogany Shoals and Payne’s Donuts!
Recreation: YES – Kayak and paddle board rentals in season.
Hey. I’m Mike, Mackenzie's husband, and dad to Declan and Maeve. I'm also a co-founder and writer here at Stay New England. I've been traveling across the New England region for well over a decade now and I'm excited to share all that I've learned!
Author
Michael Donovan
Hey. I’m Mike, Mackenzie's husband, and dad to Declan and Maeve. I'm also a co-founder and writer here at Stay New England. I've been traveling across the New England region for well over a decade now and I'm excited to share all that I've learned!