Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Block Island sits 12 miles from coastal Rhode Island, featuring 17 miles of clean, white beaches, protected by lighthouses and spectacular bluffs, and 350 freshwater ponds fed by natural springs. Block Island has been dubbed the "Bermuda of the North" and, in fact, most visitors use bicycles or mopeds or just walk to get around. The Island is known for its endless string of free public beaches, its clear waters, dramatic sea bluffs, and wide open spaces. It has a large selection of hotels, small inns, large inns and bed and breakfasts.
The Atlantic Inn on High Street is a Victorian home built in 1879, spread out on six acres of land high on a hill with ocean views. Guests can sit on the inn's wraparound veranda and view the Old Harbor and the ocean. The inn was first used as a boardinghouse, and its 21 rooms, all with private baths, are filled with antiques and are individually decorated. The Atlantic Inn Restaurant is well known for its spectacular cooking, like braised pheasant with cranberry beans. Each summer day, people from all over the Island come to the sloping lawn with its Adirondack chairs to soak in the awesome sunsets, and the delicious cocktails. In 1997, President Bill Clinton and his family stopped by for dinner, drawn by the kitchen's reputation. He likely had no problem getting a table, but the rest of us do need a reservation at the Atlantic Inn Restaurant from June through September.
The Island Home Inn/bed & breakfast is a Victorian farmhouse set on a hill between Block Island's village of Old Harbor and the Great Salt Pond. The hill provides panoramic views of the harbor, the ocean and the surrounding countryside. The home has roses cascading over stone walls, perennial gardens and wildflowers. The inn's rooms, every one with an air conditioner, are decorated in a classic country style. The carriage house also offers rooms with private decks and sweeping views. Afternoon tea is served in the parlor. Later in the day, there's wine and lemonade, hors d'oeuvres and freshly baked pastries. A cold and hot breakfast is served in the dining room, with more fresh pastries, homemade breads, fresh fruit, and hearty entrees. Guests can eat it in the courtyard patio. It's a short walk to town and the marinas. The beach is slightly over a mile away, and taxis are available, if needed.
The is a very large lodging with 65 rooms spread over 9 buildings between the hotel and the inn. The hotel Manisses is down the hill from the 1661 Inn, closer to the road and the Old Harbor. There are five room choices within the complex; the1661 Inn, the 1661 Guest House, the Hotel Manisses itself, or one of its many guest cottages. The Manisses is a Victorian hotel built in 1870, and each of its 17 renovated rooms is named after a famous ship wrecked before 1870. The 1661 Inn has 18 rooms, each named after one of the original settlers of Block Island. Every room has telephones, most have private baths and some have Jacuzzis. A full complimentary breakfast -- including eggs, corned-beef hash, muffins, bluefish, fruit and more is served at the 1661 Inn each morning, and Manisses guests are welcome. The breakfast is accompanied by a champagne cocktail in season. The Manisses has its own highly rated dinner restaurant.
The Barrington Inn is one of Block Island's smaller inns, with six rooms and two apartments with private baths, decks with Adirondack chairs and ocean views. Built in 1886, this old farmhouse sits on a hilltop overlooking the New Harbor area and beyond. This inn is convenient to both Old Harbor and New Harbor, the airport, the beach and the ferry. The Barrington offers a hearty breakfast and an afternoon snack of wine, cheese, crackers and grapes. It also has bicycle rentals, beach chairs and towels for guests. The house has a living room, a dining room, a television, VCR, movies, games and books that guests are welcome to use.