Choosing the Right Accommodations on Block Island, RI
During the summer, thousands flock to Block Island, many of them seasonal regulars returning year after year, and others discovering the magic of the island for the very first time. The Rhode Island summer vacation hotspot is a popular choice for romantic getaways and peaceful vacations.
If you have no experience with Block Island accommodations, then you may want to find out more about what is available. While accommodations are plentiful if booked early enough, there are certain details you may not be aware of concerning many of the rooms and establishments on Block Island. There are no Holiday Inns or Marriots here, and while most of the accommodations on Block Island do offer simple amenities, you may be surprised to find yourself in a room without air conditioning or sharing a bathroom with other guests.
Questions need to be asked and research conducted in order to assure that your accommodations will be to your liking. There are three main forms of accommodations on Block Island. A small crop of hotels, situated about the town. A host of inns, scattered about town and in close proximity throughout the island, and a large number of bed and breakfasts, located all throughout Block Island. Most of the architecture of the establishments of Block Island are in a Victorian style, and were built in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
It is also possible to rent guest houses and cottages located throughout the island, all with their own blend of romanticism, modern amenities, and secluded peace.
There are many factors to consider when booking your Block Island accommodations. Do you want the comfort, convenience, and amenities of a fine hotel, the unique atmosphere of antique laden inns built in the 1800s, or the cozy, friendly hospitality of a bed and breakfast? The inns and bed and breakfasts usually offer unique touches, such as a wine and cheese hour or tea and cookies.
Many of the hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts do not have air conditioning available in the rooms, mainly due to the seaside breeze and cool air that travels across the island. But during particularly hot summer months, that cool air can be virtually nonexistent unless your accommodations are located extremely close to the beach, so securing a room with air conditioning is recommended. Another option is to ask for a corner room that possesses two windows, as the cross ventilation seems to help cool the room somewhat.
Many rooms will also be absent of a television. Ask yourself how important the television really is, since you are essentially on Block Island to partake of nature, outdoor activities, and calm relaxation, not trance-inducing tv shows. Still, if you must have a television, you can either ask the hotel or inn if they can provide one for you, or you can likely rent a television from a general store, along with some movies, though you may not be able to access cable in some of the rooms.
Since cars are not allowed on the island except for residents, you will likely want to procure accommodations fairly close to town and the beaches. Be sure to check the locations of wherever you might be staying and its proximity to town. Taxis are available to take you across the island, and bicycle rentals are a popular choice.
While nearly all of the hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts on Block Island are breathtakingly beautiful and exquisitely charming, room descriptions can often be misleading. “Quaint” can be a stand-in for “small. “Quiet” can be a substitute for “far away from everything”. And believe it or not, as one reviewer of a particular inn exclaimed, the ocean view advertised for one room was from a small bathroom window.
Many Block Island accommodations offer a choice of ocean or harbor view, and island view. Ocean and harbor views are the more popular choices, but are usually more costly.
If available on other sites such as Yahoo.com, look up some of the particular accommodations you may be interested and read the reviews. You may find that although the hotel or inn is beautiful, amenities are lacking or staff is described as rude. Or the positive reviews may help confirm the claims of tranquil locations and spacious rooms.
Many hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts have simple websites where you may view pictures of the establishment and room decor. If not, and you have sufficient time, call and ask for a brochure to be sent to you, if available.
Two websites where you can find an extensive list on Block Island accommodations are http://www.blockisland.com and http://www.blockislandinfo.com
You can telephone the hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts exclusively, or use services located on the websites to secure your reservations.
