While we enjoyed our stay at this little cottage, we did feel that it didn't quite match our expectations. When it says close to the beach, that is a subjective thing as to whether you are walking or driving, and whether you want a sandy beach or a stone covered beach. When you go away, you tend to think that renters will think through all the small details, which we felt this one did not. It was little things like there being no waste basket in the bathroom or any other room except under the sink in the kitchen. Also the fact that there were no curtains in the bedroom and even when the window blinds were pulled down, there were still gaps big enough for folks from the outside to see into. The bed mattress seemed to cause us to roll towards the middle and while there was a TV mounted in the corner of the living room, the only seating was a couch clear on the other end and it did not make for comfortable viewing since it was a good sized living room. But we spent most of our time in Newport so that was not a big issue either. Overall, the cottage was neat and tidy, and served our purposes of staying somewhere close (about 15 mins) to Newport. As far as the surrounding area of Newport, it is a fantastic place to vist as there is something for everyone. We enjoyed the sunset cruise, dining down by the harbor, and touring the historic parts of the area.