I just wrapped up a week at Wayfinder Newport, and while the bones of the place are solid, the welcome mat felt more like a paperweight. The front-desk team seemed chronically understaffed (and under-enthused), greeting guests with the fervor of someone punching a time clock. Over seven days, I never once felt that warm âhey, weâre happy youâre hereâ vibe which is kind of the whole point of hospitality, right?
Once you get past the reception snafu, the room itself hits all the expected marks: clean, comfortable, and exactly what youâd hope for in a hospitality-branded stay. The real MVPs? The pool, perfect for a midday dipâand the free bikes, which made exploring Newport effortless (and Instagrammable). Bonus points for the shampoo, conditioner, and soap they smell great and actually lather.
On the flip side, the coffee line felt like a black-coffee bootcamp: long waits, zero hellos, and a restaurant that underdelivered on both food and friendliness. If youâre a caffeine addict or a foodie, temper your expectations.
Bottom line: Great facilities, meh service. If Wayfinder wants to go from âfineâ to âfantastic,â start by staffing up the front desk and injecting a little genuine smile into the mix.
