Gateway Bed & Breakfast

"Victorian Charm that promises you a memorable stay!"

A warm welcome awaits you at the Gateway Bed & Breakfast in historic Newport. This beautifully restored 1878 Italianate Townhouse was built by Henry Schriver and restored by the present owners, Ken and Sandy Clift.

Gateway Bed & Breakfast is located next door to the Water Tower Square in the East Row Historic District, approximately five minutes to downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and 4 blocks to Newport on the Levee.

The house has been restored and is exquisitely decorated with antiques. When visiting, you may hear the player piano or the victrola spinning the old records as you stroll through this home filled with Victorian charm.

When Ken and Sandy Clift purchased this circa 1878 house in 1989 it had been through fire, tornado, conversion to a multi-family rental, and years of neglect.  Go to our History section for more information about the history and restoration of this beautiful home. 

Your comfort is assured in one of our spacious rooms (click here for pictures and rates) whether your visit is for business to the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area, a vacation, get-away weekend or a honeymoon retreat.

Every morning, be awakened by the aroma of fresh coffee and homemade breads. A full country breakfast is served in the formal dining room.

Area attractions within minutes:

• Newport On the Levee
• Newport Aquarium
• Millennium Peace Bell
• Northern Ky/Cincinnati waterfront
• Downtown Cincinnati
• Cincinnati Reds & Bengals
• Opera
• Museums/Antiques
• Convention Centers
• Zoo
• Horseracing
• 20 minutes from airport
• See our Area attraction section

While restoring the house, the Clifts' philosophy was to retain as much of the original as possible, adapting their present needs to the existing structure. There were no changes made to the building, with the exception of updating the bathrooms, kitchen and laundry facilities. As walls and dropped ceilings were removed many original details were found, such as plaster moldings and ceiling medallions. Wallpaper over 100 years old was discovered in places that were covered up many years ago.

The restoration involved removing 70 years of insensitive remodeling and reviving the original character of the house. This included reopening the transoms, milling trim to exactly match the original, installing reproduction gas/electric lighting, restoring two large parlor doors which were found in the garage, sanding and finishing 3200 square feet of pine flooring, opening up and cleaning six fireplaces and replacing five missing mantels with antique mantels of the period.

All 27 windows were reglazed, repaired, restrung, and repainted, but the biggest challenge was the restoration of the stairway and halls. The staircase was restored by a local craftsman based on an old baluster and part of the old railing which were found in the attic.

The Gateway Bed & Breakfast is an example to the community of sensitive rehabilitation and adaptive re-use as well as a successful business. The Clifts have become "missionaries" for restoration, and are always willing to help newcomers to the neighborhood. They have loaned their house out for numerous meetings and presentations, and have captured the special interest of the National Trust Regional Representative Frank Gilbert, who has observed the progress of the restoration over the past three years during his visits to Newport. Ken serves on the Newport Historic Preservation Commission, and both he and Sandy are active in their neighborhood organization.

All attractions in Newport
www.newportonthelevee.com
Hofbräuhaus Newport Brewery and Restaurant
Kentucky Haus Craft Gallery

Other Area Attractions:

BB Riverboats (dinner cruises & tours) 859-261-8500
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption (Covington) 859-431-2060
Cincinnati Bengals Football
Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati Music Hall 513-621-1919
Cincinnati ⁄ Northern Kentucky International Airport
Cincinnati Reds Baseball 513-421-4510
Cincinnati Zoo 513-281-4700
Footlighters - Stained Glass Theatre (Newport) 859-291-7464
Taft Museum 513-241-0343
Tower Place Mall 513-241-2345
Turfway Park Thoroughbred Racing 859-371-0200

Other Area Links:

Northern Kentucky Convention Center
Cincinnati Links Web site
Cincinnati Post & Enquirer Web Site
 

 Read what our guests are saying about 'Gateway Bed & Breakfast'

"You have given us memories we shall treasure". UK

"A business trip turned into a great pleasure". Brooklyn, NY

"This was our first B&B experience and we loved it. You helped to make our wedding anniversary very special!" Troy, OH

"Great breakfast served with elegance in a beautiful restored home". San Francisco

"I felt like I was coming home. Thanks for your graciousness and all the special touches." Lakeland, FL

"We couldn't have chosen a nicer place for our honeymoon. Thanks for a wonderful stay". Westerville, OH

"Truly a gateway to the warm, caring hospitality of Kentucky". Virginia Beach, VA

"History made. Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, all in one day with a great place to rest." J. Thompson

"What a perfect spot for a surprised birthday getaway". Cincinnati, Ohio