The National Hotel, Block Island

Unfortunately, my wife booked a room at the National for two adults and two kids (2&7). Having worked on the Island, I should have veteod this choice. We were on the backside, VERY HOT!!!, but quieter right?...not quite. If I didn't have family on the Island I would have left that night (room was over 90 degrees with the windows open and fan on) and the band did a nice job at keeping us up. We did manage to catch some sleep in between mopeds and drunks who hung out on the back porch all night. Nothing bad to say about the staff who were pleasant but would not recommend going anywhere near this hotel with children.

This place is an over priced dump. You will be very disapointed. It is hot, loud and the food is lousy.

A family emergency forced me to cancel my two-night stay at The National, costing me a $300 deposit. The hotel's cancellation policy is overly harsh. Perhaps their competitors have similar policies, but that doesn't make it right. Why not issue a credit that could be used at a later date? Unless you're 100% certain that you won't have to cancel (are you ever?), don't make a reservation at The National.

Right on the main strip, a few block walk from the ferry. We were in the harbor suite, next to the restaurant, which makes the room kind of loud, but as we were not in the room often it didn't really bother us too much. Restaurant and bar were great and very busy. Clean rooms and hotel. A great experience. and I hope to stay there again!

We stayed in an Ocean Corner Queen. Very clean, excellent service, we had a blast at the Tap and Grille, we could walk or bike anywhere. Two members of our family (in different rooms) had slightly strange, possible ghostly visits during the night? Nothing too scary...just caught our attention. Honestly...did not want to get back on the ferry to the mainland...can't wait to return.

My husband and I visited Block Island in May 2008 and stayed at the National Hotel. We were pleased with the accomodations and location of the hotel. It was within walking distance of the Ferry and in the center of town. The restaurant, "Tap and Grille" was awesome. We ate there the first night by default and were extremely pleased with the quality of food, freshness of ingredients and very friendly waitstaff. We enjoyed it so much that we ate there our 2nd and final night! A definite "must try"......

Just came home from our 5 day/ 4 night vacation at The National Hotel on Block Island. We read all the reviews of the other BI hotels before going, and once on the island, came to the conclusion that the National WAS the best place to stay. The location is in the center of Old Harbor. A short walk to the ferry or anywhere in town. The staff is very helpful and nice. The place is clean and well cared for. The ocean views are wonderful. In the middle of the night you hear the waves lapping against the shore. Now for the bad news, We stayed on the third floor, and the sound of the drunks screaming and howling in the bar was horrible! Luckily the bar closed sometime around midnight because then it quieted down. We also heard the trucks driving past all the time. We live in NYC, and we must say its sometimes quiter in NYC! There is no place to sit on the porch overlooking the harbor and chill, like the Surf Hotel (but lets NOT go there). The porch is used as the restaurant, which is very good, but expensive. The Continental breakfast is a joke! The wait staff will not tell you that juice is included, SO ASK for it! The rooms are small, there is no ac. With the ocean breeze you will not need ac (as long as you stay on the ocean view side). BUT otherwise...we had a great time and would stay there again!

We stayed in the Old Harbor Suite #400. This suite is adjacent to the wrap around patio restaurant, so it is very loud all day and into the evening. The a/c in the room helps keep the noise down, but you do not want to stay in this room if you are a light sleeper or have kids with you. Worked out great for us since it was a boys only trip.

The location is beautiful and the service is great. The rooms looked like your standard bedroom; nothing special. To go here make sure you have enough cash budgeted for your stay.

I stayed at the National Hotel when I came to Block Island for a wedding in August 2006. The hotel is absolutely beautiful and the staff was great. We stayed in an ocean-side suite and it was spacious enough for four adults and a baby (the hotel provided a crib). The hotel is located on the main strip of Block Island, which is ideal for getting there easily and you absolutely cannot beat the views on the ocean side. The downside of the location is that it's somewhat noisy at night. The bar on the first floor is defnitely one of hot spots with the younger crowd (it looked very crowded and fun, but I'm past that time in my life). On Friday and Saturday night, the music and voices could keep up someone who doesn't sleep very soundly. Even after the bar closed, there was a lot of noise from revelers on the street. We were on the top floor of the hotel and it still was quite noisy. There is no AC, so you have to leave your windows open. I would definitely recommend the hotel for weekday nights and off-season. If you stay there on a summer weekend, just be prepared for some noise. (I didn't hear a fog horn, but the weather was clear.)