At the start of this year, my sister and I planned a Nantucket getaway to celebrate her birthday a little early. The hotel was booked, the ferry tickets were ordered and I was really excited to spend a weekend on the island – especially since neither one of us had been before. Well, I think we know that COVID happened and we had to cancel. Once things started opening back up, we still didn’t think we could escape to Nantucket, so we booked a quick getaway to Newport, one of my favorite places to visit! My sister hadn’t been in years and since it’s only a little over an hour away, it was perfect.
Gurney’s Resortshas been on my radar for quite some time and after looking through their COVID precautions, we booked two nights away! They have two properties – one in Montauk an one in Newport – both looked incredible online and on Instagram!
Gurney’s is located on Goat Island and while no goats were spotted while we were there, they do have two on the property!
I’ll be completely honest, when we arrived it felt like the hotel was operating at more of a capacity than I was expecting. I think we got there when people were checking out and checking in so the lobby felt a bit overcrowded, but everyone was wearing their masks. With our room not yet ready, we dropped off our bags and headed to get some lunch.
Perhaps it was the weather or that it was a weekend, but the downtown area seemed very crowded, but again everyone was wearing masks, but the way the sidewalks are – you felt like people were really close. We found a spot at the Black Pearl for lunch and then did a bit of shopping before heading back to the hotel.
Once our room was ready, I was really happy with not only with our view, but that everything appeared to be very clean, but that didn’t stop us from wiping down all the surfaces with our own stuff. Before our dinner reservation at the hotel, we went down near the water to relax, drinks some wine and take in all the scenery! It was so peaceful and relaxing – we both just kept saying how nice it was to just be.
For dinner we ate one of the most incredible meals of my life, no exaggeration there! Scarpetta is the Italian restaurant on the property and requires reservations at this time. We got a prime spot on the deck and shared a few bites. We split the burrata and blue crab pasta. It was incredible! The pasta was melt in your mouth delicious and I learned that they make all their pasta in house daily.
Any hotel that has a cafe on the property makes me happy. On our way to lay out, we stopped to get some coffee and breakfast before parking it away from the pool for the morning. Those two hours went by so fast, but we were ready for lunch and little more sight seeing. We stopped for a quick lunch at Nikolas Pizza. It was easy, quick and most of all perfectly tasty.
Lilly dress I’m wearing // Lilly dress my sister is wearing
Then it was on to the Cliff Walk! This is probably my fifth time doing the Cliff Walk and we always start at Forty Steps – lots of parking and it’s a great starting point in my opinion. Even though it was overcast, it was really hot and humid out, so we didn’t walk too far – about a 1.5 miles and then it was off to Castle Hill Inn.
Castle Hill Inn is absolutely gorgeous! I wanted to get lunch there, but the timing didn’t work for us and they actually didn’t have many open times, but the great thing is that their lawn is first come first serve. With COVID precautions they aren’t allowing people to just linger on the lawn, you need to actually have a spot. I think going at an off peak time was the right call because there were hardly any people there. We sipped some drinks and just relaxed – not having to be anywhere or do anything is really pretty special.
For dinner that night we decided to stay at the hotel and eat at the Fire Pit & Lounge. Everything looked so good on the menu, so once again we split a few of the items. The calamari, cheese board and tuna tartare was pure deliciousness. I was actually pleasantly surprised with how great all the food was at the hotel.
After dinner we went back to the lounge chairs and just relaxed and also needed time to digest all the food we’d inhaled!
With an 11:00 AM checkout that still gave us the morning to lounge by the pool. They do have a limit to how many people they will allow in the pool area, which opens at 8:00 AM. We were in line right at 8 and there was already a long line, so much so that we were actually one of the last pairs to be allowed in. I really appreciated the precautions they took out at the pool area and people were nice and spread out.
This sister’s getaway was just what we needed! It’s hard to believe that it took us this long to have a trip with just the two of us, but it certainly wont be our last time! Newport is one of my favorite trips to take every summer, typically it’s just a day trip, but having a bit more time to actually relax was perfect!
I think it’s important to note that we drove to Rhode Island and were not only coming from a state where numbers weren’t rising, but were going to a state where numbers weren’t rising. We also didn’t have to quarantine for this reason and were extremely careful with not only our surroundings but extremely diligent about wearing masks and washing our hands.
When we were planning our beach trip in August we debated going to Newport–now I think we will have to make a separate trip!! Looks like such a fun sister weekend!
Rosy Outlook
So glad you still got to get away together even if not as originally planned. This looks like a gorgeous place to go with lots of yummy outside eating.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I'm so glad you got some sister time in! Looks like a fabulous trip! XOXO, R
I’m so glad you were still able to get a sister trip in! You both look beautiful and happy and relaxed! I have literally canceled my third trip of the year and it’s getting old, LOL!
Love that you girls were able to have this time together at such a pretty spot! Melt in your mouth pasta, drinks on the lawn, and pool time sound amazing right now <3
Green Fashionista
Looks so fun and the place seems a nice getaway. Love your twinning Lily dresses.
busyandfab.com
Oh what a beautiful place! I know you cherished that time with your sister. I always thought it would be so fun to have a sister… a built-in best friend! Y'all are two beauties and I love that y'all are so close.
What a fun weekend! I love that you were able to get away with your sister! My daughter goes to URI and Newport is one of my favorite places! I'm looking forward to going in September when we drop her off!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I would give anything to take a trip with my sister right about now! It looks like you girls had the best time eating and relaxing – no better combination than that!
Karly
whatkarlysaid.com
Omg what an amazing trip! I think we need to explore Newport soon and I love your dress!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
I am glad that you still got to get away with your sister. Love the sort of matching Lily dresses you guys wore out one night. It is a beautiful place and I hope to visit it sometime.
You guys looked so cute in your Lilly dresses! So glad you were able to get that time away together even with everything going on!