New Bedford Hotels: Where to Stay in Massachusetts

New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a working port with a deep whaling history. The best hotels in New Bedford sit in three places: downtown near the waterfront, along MacArthur Drive, and in neighboring Fairhaven. This guide covers every New Bedford hotel we could confirm with at least two sources. We also correct several errors from an older version of this page. The Whaler Inn and Suites, for example, stands in New Bedford and not in Fairhaven. Rates change daily, so we do not quote them.

Compare New Bedford, Massachusetts hotels on Expedia

Hotels in New Bedford, MA: What We Confirmed

New Bedford Harbor Hotel

The New Bedford Harbor Hotel stands at 222 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. Expedia lists the property as a 70-room hotel on six floors, in a building dating to 1863. HotelTonight also counts 70 rooms.

Check-in starts at 4:00 PM. Check-out ends at 11:00 AM. Guests must be 21 or older to book, and the hotel asks for a photo ID and a credit card at the desk. Both sources list free Wi-Fi and free parking. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, and a fitness center.

Breakfast is the one detail where sources disagree. HotelTonight lists a continental breakfast as included. Expedia lists breakfast for a fee. Ask which applies to your booking before you arrive.

An older version of this page gave the hotel an indoor pool. Neither source lists a pool, so we removed the claim. Expedia also says the hotel does not allow pets and has no elevator. HotelTonight notes current construction, so ask about noise and room access when you book.

The hotel suits visitors who want to walk to the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the national park visitor center. Pick this hotel for a downtown base.

Fairfield Inn and Suites New Bedford

The Fairfield Inn and Suites stands at 185 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford, MA 02740. A meetings directory lists the phone as 774-634-2000. Two sources count 106 guest rooms. The directory says the property opened in 2010.

Expedia lists check-in from 4:00 PM and check-out at 11:00 AM. The same page lists an indoor pool with a hot tub, a fitness center, a business center, and a hot breakfast each morning. Rooms include free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, and a microwave. Parking is free.

Pets are not allowed, but service animals are welcome. We found the pool and breakfast details on one source only, so confirm both by phone.

Ask the front desk how far the waterfront sights lie from the hotel. Pick this hotel for a pool, breakfast, and easy parking.

Hampton Inn New Bedford and Fairhaven

The Hampton Inn stands at 1 Hampton Way, Fairhaven, MA 02719, just off Interstate 195. The phone is 508-990-8500. Two sources count 107 rooms. A meetings directory says the hotel opened in 1995 and received renovations in 2013.

Orbitz lists check-in from 3:00 PM and check-out at noon. The same page lists a free continental breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, free Wi-Fi, free parking, and a business center. Rooms include a mini-fridge. The meetings directory adds microwaves and coffeemakers.

The outdoor pool is seasonal. Orbitz gives a May to early September window for the pool. Ask the front desk for current dates before you pack swimwear. Dogs and cats are accepted with a fee and a deposit, so ask for the current pet terms.

Fairhaven is a separate town next to New Bedford. Pick this hotel if you want a quiet suburban base, free breakfast, and quick access to the interstate.

Whaler Inn and Suites

The Whaler Inn and Suites stands at 500 Hathaway Road, New Bedford, MA 02740. An older version of this page placed the inn in Fairhaven, but the Travelocity listing gives the New Bedford address.

Travelocity lists check-in from 4:00 PM and check-out before 11:00 AM. The same page lists an on-site restaurant and lounge, a free self-serve breakfast from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM, an indoor pool, and free parking. The listing also says the property is undergoing renovations.

We found one source for this property. We could not confirm a phone number. Treat every detail as unconfirmed and call before you book. Pick this inn only after a phone check on the renovation work.

Hotels Near New Bedford in Dartmouth

North Dartmouth has a cluster of chain hotels on and near Faunce Corner Road. Two sources, Hotel Guides and HotelPlanner, list the Residence Inn by Marriott at 181 Faunce Corner Road. Hotel Guides describes the Residence Inn as an all-suite hotel with kitchens, a heated pool, an exercise room, and free breakfast. Hotel Guides also lists a pet fee, so ask for current terms.

Both sources list the Baymont by Wyndham at 171 Faunce Corner Mall Road. HotelPlanner counts 77 rooms. Hotel Guides lists free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and free parking.

One source, Hotel Guides, lists a Best Western Dartmouth Inn at 737 State Road, North Dartmouth. The older version of this page called the property Best Western Dartmouth-New Bedford and gave a different location. We could not confirm the current name, so check the brand and address on a booking site before you reserve.

Where to Stay Near the New Bedford Whaling Museum

The New Bedford Whaling Museum stands at 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740. The museum lists daily hours of 9 AM to 5 PM and closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Call 508-997-0046 with questions. The museum suggests more than an hour for a visit, and many guests stay up to three hours.

Parking near the museum includes metered street spaces and the Elm Street Garage at 51 Elm Street. The museum notes construction on William Street, so check the museum site before you drive downtown.

The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park runs its visitor center at 33 William Street. Call 508-996-4095 for current hours. The park covers whaling history from 1825 to 1925 and the story of African American life in the city. Sites include the Seamen’s Bethel and the Mariners’ Home. Guided tours run through the park.

Staying downtown at the New Bedford Harbor Hotel puts these sites close to your room. Staying on MacArthur Drive, in Fairhaven, or in Dartmouth means a drive and a parking search.

Motels in New Bedford

Our research did not confirm any independent motel in New Bedford with two sources. Chain hotels dominate the lodging list. If you want a motel or a budget room, start with the Baymont in North Dartmouth and the Whaler Inn and Suites. Call each property, because both have only partial listings.

Booking sites also list small inns and short-term rentals around the city. We did not verify them, so we leave them out.

What the City Offers Visitors

New Bedford earned the nickname Whaling City in the 19th century. In 1857 the harbor hosted 329 whaling vessels, according to Wikipedia. Frederick Douglass lived in the city from 1838 to 1841. Herman Melville set part of Moby-Dick in New Bedford in 1851.

Other sights include the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum and the Buttonwood Park Zoo. Check each site for current hours before you go.

Ferries connect New Bedford with Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cuttyhunk Island. New Bedford Regional Airport offers scheduled flights to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Confirm schedules with each operator.

Getting to New Bedford

New Bedford lies in Bristol County on the Acushnet River, along Buzzards Bay. Interstate 195 and US Route 6 carry most road traffic. The Whaling Museum says the drive from Boston takes about an hour. Traffic changes this figure, so check a map on the day you travel.

The MBTA Commuter Rail serves the city on the Fall River and New Bedford Line. The museum lists a ride from South Station of about 1 hour 40 minutes. Check the MBTA schedule before you plan a day trip without a car.

A car helps if you stay outside downtown or want to reach Fairhaven and Dartmouth. Downtown visitors can walk between the Harbor Hotel, the museum, and the park visitor center.

How to Choose a New Bedford Hotel

Visitors focused on history should book the New Bedford Harbor Hotel. Walking distance to the museum and park saves parking costs and time.

Families who want a pool should call the Fairfield Inn and Suites or the Hampton Inn. Confirm the pool type and the season before you book.

Travelers with pets should look at the Hampton Inn, which accepts dogs and cats with a fee. The Fairfield Inn and the Harbor Hotel do not accept pets, according to Expedia.

Long stays may suit the Residence Inn in North Dartmouth. Hotel Guides describes kitchens in every suite. Confirm the layout by phone.

Before you pay, confirm the property name, the address, the cancellation policy, parking, and breakfast hours. Ask for the total with taxes and fees. Compare the total on two booking sites and by phone.

What We Checked and What We Could Not

We checked the Harbor Hotel against Expedia and HotelTonight. We checked the Fairfield Inn against a meetings directory and Expedia. We checked the Hampton Inn against a meetings directory and Orbitz. We checked the Residence Inn and Baymont against Hotel Guides and HotelPlanner. We took museum details from the museum site and park details from the National Park Service. We took city history from Wikipedia.

We found one source each for the Whaler Inn and Suites and the Best Western in North Dartmouth. We could not confirm current rates, the Harbor Hotel breakfast policy, or the Harbor Hotel construction schedule. We dropped the older claims of a Harbor Hotel pool and a Fairhaven address for the Whaler Inn. Phone numbers and policies change, so confirm each detail with the property before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The best hotels in New Bedford, Massachusetts, offer a clear split. The New Bedford Harbor Hotel puts you downtown near the Whaling Museum. The Fairfield Inn and Suites and the Hampton Inn give you pools and breakfast with easy highway access. The Whaler Inn and Suites and the North Dartmouth chains add more choices once you confirm details. Call ahead, check the current property name, and book early for summer weekends.

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