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William's Grant Inn Reflects the Historical Charm of Bristol, R.I.
William's Grant Inn, Bristol, R.I.
by Eric Hurwitz. Article updated on 11/30/16
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William's Grant Inn fits in quite nicely with the historical,
quaint
tree-lined streets of the central district in coastal Bristol, R.I.
Built in 1808, this well-maintained Colonial Federal style home
resonates with unique charm and ambiance. The five bay B&B features
seven fireplaces, thematic guest rooms and a very pleasant dining room
off the sunny kitchen. In the backyard, you'll find a patio and Koi
pond.
We found our stay at the William's Grant's Inn to be fantastic.
Innkeeper Warren Poehler, a former engineer and teacher, greeted and
conversed with the many guests here as if they were family. With his
wife Diane away on travel, Warren manned the helm quite well keeping us
all happy and filled with a delicious, free breakfast -- including a
tasty English muffin and French toast with a mixed fruit topping.
Our "Nautical Room" reflected the feeling of coastal Bristol with
antique nautical decor, furnishings and handmade oriental carpets. With
a comfy bed, updated bathroom (including a whirlpool tub), ceiling fan,
fireplace and imperfect, crooked wooden floors, we felt like we had out
own oasis. So relaxing and with a personality opposite to chain
lodging! Other "theme" rooms at the William's Grant Inn: the
Blithewold, Sturbridge, Middleburg and Garden.
After that wonderful breakfast, we walked a few minutes past many
well-kept older homes to beautiful tree-lined downtown Bristol with its
myriad restaurants, mom and pop shops, galleries, boutiques, historic
homes and municipal buildings, and scenic harbor area with walking
paths and benches. Being lifelong New Englanders, this experience
begged the question, Why hadn't we previously discovered -- and paid
more attention to -- Bristol? We have no logical answer. This is truly
a beautiful town! To us, the quaint feel and coastal location puts
Bristol in a "A" list category with other notable waterfront towns and
cities like Kennebunkport, Maine, Mystic, Conn., Plymouth, Mass.,
Camden, Maine, Portsmouth, N.H., Newburyport, Mass., York Beach, Maine,
and yes, Newport, R.I. (20 minutes away).
Side street in downtown Bristol leading to the
water.
An added advantage is that Bristol is not quite yet fully aware of
itself as a tourist destination. That means more parking, fewer
souvenir shops and overpriced restaurants, for starters. You also have
the advantage of being close to Colt State Park, a beautiful 464-acre
Bristol with incredible panoramic Narragansett Bay views, four miles of
bike paths along the bay (part of the 14-mile East Bay Bike Path
spanning from Bristol to Providence), more than 400 picnic tables at
six groves, 10 playing fields, abundant groomed fruit trees and other
colorful plant life, and an open-air chapel-by-the-sea -- perfect for
an ideal coastal New England wedding.
Colt State Park, Bristol
Additionally, the Bristol 4th of July parade stands as the oldest of
its kind in the United States, starting in 1785 and continuing to this
very day with an amazing array of parade floats and other entertaining
and education July 4th related events. Year-round, the median strip in
painted red, white and blue! The patriotic spirit in Bristol is truly
prominent.
Bristol feels like the ultimate coastal New England travel getaway
town; the William's Grant Inn makes for the nearly perfect starting
point!
William's Grant Inn
154 High St.
Bristol RI
Tel. 1-800-596-4222
Book a room at the William's Grant Inn
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Eric
wrote these helpful, fun New England travel books just for you...
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