Newport is a great little town. We were not familiar with the area, and were pleasantly surprised by the location of Ray's place. A short walk along the water will take you to the wharf and Thames. We brought our bikes and were able to bike to all of the attractions, such as Castle Hill Inn and the mansions.
Ray is also a great host, providing a clean, charming place to stay. He even gave us fresh towels every day of our stay. I highly recommend staying here.