Newport, Rhode Island, known for its sailing regattas and 19th-century mansions, has long been a destination for upscale retreats, and Hotel Viking is one of the city’s most iconic establishments. The Bellevue Avenue hotel opened its doors in 1926, after community leaders and prosperous area merchants pooled resources to construct a hotel that would stand out among the rest.
Hotel Viking was an immediate success, and over the years has attracted some notable guests, including musicians Ella Fitzgerald and Bob Dylan. In the 1960s, the hotel fell into a state of disrepair, but new ownership and a series of renovations in the 1990s helped restore its original splendor. Today, planners and attendees enjoy its rooftop bar, award-winning Bellevue Restaurant, Spa Fjör, and 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
