Wayfinder Newport Offically Reopens

Wayfinder Newport, the first hotel in Dovetail + Co’s expanding Wayfinder collection, has officially reopened after a comprehensive rebuild and renovation.

Hotel owner and developer Dovetail + Co oversaw the creation of Wayfinder Newport in 2020, building a loyal following of guests who enjoyed Wayfinder’s fresh take on Newport life. A fire in May 2022 forced the hotel to close and undergo an extensive restoration.

With the reopening, Wayfinder is bringing back more than 1,000 pieces by Rhode Island artists including a poolside mural by Sean Spellman, vintage postcards by Jenny Brown, and artworks by Mea Duke, Catherine Druken, Jenn Shore, and Liz Kelley; plus custom furniture from Rhode Island’s O&G Studio and local antique finds, according to the press release.

“Wayfinder Newport pairs contemporary coastal design with local partnerships to provide a curated hotel experience that highlights Rhode Island’s relaxed, free-spirited vibe,” the press release states. “The property features 197 rooms, including 30 spacious suites; B-Side lobby coffee bar; The Pool Shack cocktail bar, an outdoor pool and party deck; and Nomi Park, the on-site restaurant offering bar service this season”.

According to a spokesperson for Wayfinder Newport, “Nomi Park Bar will open later this summer and offer cocktails, beverages, and bar bites while the official opening of the entire restaurant will follow in 2025.”

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).

He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.

Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.

In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.

In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.

Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.

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