The National Hotel Block Island

What The National Hotel Block Island does

The National Hotel Block Island is a privately held, 46-room historic hotel established in 1888 on Block Island, Rhode Island, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The property is located on Water Street in Old Harbor, steps from the Block Island ferry landing, and is the only island hotel with on-site parking. It operates seasonally and serves leisure travelers, weekend visitors, family groups, and reunion parties arriving primarily via ferry from New England. The guest room inventory spans 11 room configurations ranging from economy Double and Twin rooms to premium Ocean View Suite, Skylight Deluxe, Island View Suite, Old Harbor Suite, and the newly renovated Rhode Island Suite, which is ADA-accessible. The property also runs an on-site full-service restaurant, the National Hotel Tap & Grill, serving breakfast on weekends and lunch/dinner daily, with signature dishes including an award-winning New England Clam Chowder (Block Island Chowder Cookoff winner; Chowdafest 2024 bronze). Six retail shops on the premises contribute additional revenue.

The hotel's technology stack is comprised of third-party SaaS: Cloudbeds for reservations, availability, and deposit processing (direct and via the Book Now link); Popmenu for website menus, customer reviews, photos, and a promotional giveaway funnel tied to a VIP SMS marketing program; OpenTable for off-site restaurant table reservations; Nationalwebcam for live streaming of Old Harbor embedded in the Virtual Tours section; and Level Access for ADA-compliance support. The go-to-market model is direct-to-consumer, driven by the website, search and review platforms, walk-in traffic from the adjacent ferry landing, and group/event bookings for parties of 20 or more with function catering menus.

Revenue is generated from three streams: hotel accommodations (deposit- and minimum-stay-based, with seasonal rate variation and holiday premiums), restaurant dining (transactional menu pricing across appetizers, mains, and brunch), and six retail shops. Pricing is published for the menu but not for rooms, which are quoted on a seasonal, double-occupancy basis subject to Rhode Island sales and hotel tax. Seasonal operating hours and a cancellation policy tied to ferry operations during inclement weather further shape the revenue mechanics. There is no evidence of institutional or private-equity ownership; the business appears to be an independent, family-style operation.

Name

The National Hotel Block Island

Legal name

The National Hotel

Website

https://blockislandhotels.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Hotel Block Island is a privately held, 46-room historic landmark hotel established in 1888 on Old Harbor, Block Island, Rhode Island, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, operating an on-site Tap & Grill restaurant and six retail shops, and serving leisure travelers, family groups, and dining guests via its ferry-adjacent waterfront location.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Boutique Hotel & Hospitality Services

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (721110), Full-Service Restaurants (722511)

SIC

Hotels & Motels (7011), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAGACAA

Beachfront & Island Luxury Resorts

Travel & Hospitality/Lodging & Accommodation/Luxury Hotels & Resorts

SECONDARYTHAFACAH

Hotel & Resort Restaurants

Travel & Hospitality/Foodservice & Beverage (Restaurants, Cafes, Bars)/Full-Service Restaurants (Casual & Fine Dining)

SECONDARYTHAFAEAI

Lounge Bars & Hotel Bars

Travel & Hospitality/Foodservice & Beverage (Restaurants, Cafes, Bars)/Bars, Pubs & Nightlife Venues

Keywords

• Historic hotel accommodations
• Waterfront dining restaurant
• Boutique island lodging
• Event catering services
• Vacation resort hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Block Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Hotel Accommodations: The hotel generates primary revenue from overnight stays across 46 guest rooms and suites of various configurations. Reservations require a one-night deposit plus tax. The hotel enforces seasonal minimum night requirements (2 nights on weekends, 3 nights on holidays).
2. Restaurant Dining: On-site restaurant serving lunch and dinner with ocean and harbor views. Features live music, outdoor fire pits, and a full bar. Menu includes New England classics, seafood, and signature dishes like award-winning clam chowder. Weekend brunch service available.
3. Retail Shops: Six retail shops operating within the hotel property, generating additional revenue from visitors

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The National Hotel Block Island is a historic landmark hotel established in 1888, offering overnight accommodations across 46 guest rooms and suites in various configurations. The property includes an on-site restaurant called Tap & Grill serving lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch with New England cuisine, plus event functions and catering for groups of 20 or more. Located steps from the Block Island ferry landing in Old Harbor, the hotel also operates six retail shops on its premises.

Product overview

The National Hotel Block Island is a historic landmark hotel (established 1888, listed on the National Register of Historic Places) offering 46 guest rooms across 11 room types ranging from standard Double and Queen rooms to premium suites (Ocean View Suite, Skylight Deluxe, Island View Suite, Old Harbor Suite, Rhode Island Suite). The property includes an on-site restaurant, The National Hotel Tap & Grill, which serves breakfast on weekends and lunch/dinner daily, featuring signature items like award-winning New England Clam Chowder and Lobster Pasta. The hotel also offers event functions and catering services for groups of 20 or more, featuring various buffet options. All rooms include air conditioning, private baths, flat-screen televisions, and complimentary WiFi. The property features outdoor fire pits, live music, and retail shops on premises.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Queen Room Standard room with one queen bed, available in both ocean view and island view configurations. Accommodates up to two guests with a private bathroom including bathtub.
• Twin Room Economical room with two single beds for two guests sharing without sharing a bed. Available in ocean-facing and island-facing configurations.
• Queen/Double Room Room featuring one queen bed and one full-size bed, accommodating up to four guests. Located on each floor with sweeping island views.
• Ocean View Suite Corner suite on the top floor overlooking Old Harbor with a bedroom featuring a queen bed and a living room with a day bed convertible to two single beds. Includes small refrigerator.
• Skylight Deluxe Spacious top floor room featuring one king bed with sitting area and vaulted ceiling. Offers stunning ocean views and accommodates two guests.
• Island View Suite Corner suite on top floor facing the island with a bedroom (queen bed) and separate living room (daybed with trundle). Sleeps four comfortably, up to five with extra cot. Includes small refrigerator.
• Double Room Cozy room with one full-size bed, the smallest room in the hotel. Accommodates up to two guests with limited space around the bed. All offer island views.
• Corner Queen Corner room with one queen bed accommodating up to two guests. Features additional space and double windows with natural light. Some offer ocean views, others face the island.
• Queen Superior Room featuring two queen beds accommodating up to four guests. All offer harbor views with bathrooms outfitted with tubs and showers.
• Old Harbor Suite Lobby-level handicap accessible suite with one king bed and spacious living area (daybed and trundle convertible to two twin beds). Accommodates up to four guests. Restaurant located directly outside.
• Rhode Island Suite Lobby-level handicap accessible suite with two sleeping areas (full bed and queen bed), roll-in shower with rainfall showerhead, small refrigerator, and private entrance from back porch.
• National Hotel Restaurant (Tap & Grill) On-site restaurant offering lunch and dinner with views of Old Harbor. Features signature dishes including New England Clam Chowder, Lobster Pasta, Tap & Grille Burger, and Crab & Shrimp Rolls. Also serves breakfast on weekends.
• Event Functions & Catering Functions menus including breakfast, continental buffet, hot buffet, and champagne brunch options available for groups of 20 or more. Suitable for private events and celebrations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Block Island Chowder Cookoff Winner - New England Clam Chowder
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CloudbedscoreTechnology or IntegrationCloudbeds provides the hotel's reservation management and online booking system. Guests book rooms through us2.cloudbeds.com/reservation/4TJWTS. The platform handles deposit processing, availability management, and guest confirmations.
• PopmenucoreTechnology or IntegrationPopmenu powers the hotel's website menus, online reviews, customer feedback system, and photo galleries. The platform also sponsors promotional giveaways and enables the VIP marketing program with text message communications.
• OpenTableminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOpenTable integration enables restaurant table reservations for non-hotel guests. Links reservation widget on website to OpenTable booking system.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• White Elephant Hotels: Iconic island luxury hotel in Nantucket, MA. Comparable as an upscale New England island resort combining heritage positioning, harbor-adjacent location, multiple F&B venues, and a strong repeat-guest base.
• The Atlantic Inn: Another historic Block Island hotel offering overnight accommodations and dining in close proximity. Most directly comparable peer because it competes for the same island visitors, ferry-arrival foot traffic, and seasonal vacation demand.
• Weekapaug Inn: Historic Relais & Châteaux coastal inn in Westerly, RI. Comparable as a small heritage New England coastal lodging property with on-site dining and a curated leisure/event positioning.
• 1661 Inn & Hotel Manisses: Historic Block Island lodging property with on-site dining and event capabilities. Comparable as a same-island heritage competitor targeting the same seasonal leisure guest.
• Wauwinet: Relais & Châteaux remote luxury resort on Nantucket. Comparable as a small, high-ADR, dining-led New England island heritage property with strong event/wedding mix.
• The Chanler at Cliff Walk: Historic luxury boutique hotel on Newport's Cliff Walk. Comparable as a small-footprint, high-ADR heritage property with on-site restaurant and curated guest experience in the New England coastal leisure market.
• Harbor View Hotel: Historic waterfront hotel in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. Comparable as a heritage island resort with harbor views, on-site dining, and seasonal leisure/event demand from ferry-arriving visitors.
• Charlotte Inn: Relais & Châteaux historic inn in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. Comparable as a small historic luxury property pairing lodging with an acclaimed on-site restaurant, very similar scale and operating model to The National.

Broad incumbents

• The Ocean House: Luxury Relais & Châteaux historic hotel in Watch Hill, RI. Comparable as a high-end Rhode Island coastal luxury hotel with multiple F&B outlets and strong seasonal leisure/event demand.
• Castle Hill Inn: Waterfront Relais & Châteaux historic inn in Newport, RI with on-site restaurant and event programming. Comparable as a heritage New England coastal luxury property combining lodging and destination dining.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-national-hotel-bi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The National Hotel Block Island